Teddy A. Yurkiewicz

STAFF SERGEANT THADDEUS YURKIEWICZ born in New Jersey in 1921, the son of Aloysius and Stella Yurkiewicz. Nicknamed "Yurkie", he grew up and attended school in Camden NJ, at the St. Joseph Parochial School, and the Henry J. Bonsall School. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in June of 1940. Other members of his graduating class included Frank J. Blair, Tom Glennon, and Angelo DiCamillo. His induction records state that he worked as a machinist's helper prior to his military service.

Teddy Yurkiewicz was drafted on August 26, 1942, and reported for active duty with the Army on September 8th, 1942. He qualified for flight duty. After attending Army schools in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Washington he was sent to England, where he was a tail-gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was reported missing in action on October 9th, 1943, the day which British-based American planes flew across Europe to bomb Pomerania, East Prussia, and other war centers in Northeastern Germany. His death was reported in the October 25, 1943 edition of the Camden Courier-Post. He was survived by his parents, who had moved after the war to West Palm Beach FL, and his sisters, Olga and Diana.

Staff Sergeant Yurkiewicz was known to the Army Air Force as Teddy A. Yurkiewicz. He is memorialized on the plaque at St. Joseph Church, 10th and Mechanic Streets in Camden, and on the monument at Park Drive and Route 130 in Pennsauken NJ as Theodore A. Jurkiewicz.    

Teddy Yurkiewicz lived at this building at 1557 Mt. Ephraim Avenue in Camden NJ, next door to the Banasz Discount store, with his parent, Mr. & Mrs. Aloysius Yurkiewicz.

96th Bomber Group (H) Website