PBS VS BSC WAR: PBS VS BSC - 29/06/2025 20:30

[Powerbits]

This is Harry Hudec, a 508th HQ Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper who was a Regimental Boxing Champion during WW2.
Harry was born in Cleveland March 16, 1922. Hudec jumped into Normandy D-Day 1:30 AM and fought on the site of Hill 30 between Chef du Pont and Picauville.
He was wounded in the leg on June 15th and took refuge in a farmhouse where a family hid him in their stable and cared for him for four days until the farmer warned him that “the Boche were coming”.
Harry hobbled down the road and was fortunate to meet up with other Americans who then had him evacuated.
Harry remained friends with the farmer and family over the years and visited the farm on June 6, 2004 during the D-Day Plus 60 observation.
He jumped again in Holland on September 17th and survived the fierce fighting in the Ardennes.
Ready for a combat jump, note that he is wearing a captured German canvas MP40 machine pistol magazine pouch for use with his M1A1 Thompson magazines. On his shoulder he has his Airborne 1st Aid packet strapped to his web gear and his parachute is the updated T-7 with quick release.
His combat uniform is the M43 OD set with rigger modified canvas pockets on his trousers. On his left jump boot his M3 fighting knife is strapped to his ankle in typical Airborne fashion and he is holding his M1C Parachutist’s helmet.
Harry was also a boxing champion, with an extraordinary physique for a paratrooper since he measured 2.07 m. (6ft 8inch)!
Harry passed away in 2007 at the age of 85 and is buried at the Memorial Park Cemetery
Sedalia, Pettis County, Missouri, VS.
(This picture was most likely taken in April, 1945, Frankfurt, Germany, during practice jumps).
Colour by Colourised PIECE of JAKE
Caption: https://battlefieldmuseum.org/product/airborne-soldier-52/

[-Bullithol-NL]

One hero in a very long list of them!  That is ridiculously tall for the 1940’s though!

In my days of re-enacting the 29th Infantry Division, getting original 38″ chest shirts, Class A jackets, etc was a doddle as there were tons due to the population in general being shorter and of slighter build back then, but getting them to fit me at 5″ 11 and needing a 40-42″ cos of my shoulders/arms (more average nowadays) I found very tough as they were much rarer and often had to go for reproduction stuff. What size he would have needed at that height, who knows although the arms do look a little short on him.

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