Pfc. Adam Valuchivich

How this story crossed my path

On November 6, 1944, Frank Klepper was killed by friendly fire in our municipality of Putte (find the story here). Six of his brothers in arms were also wounded in this accident. They were Corporal William A. Bassi, T/5 William E. Stireman, Private First Class James H. Swanson, Private First Class Martin I. Mueller, Private First Class Adam Valuchivich, and Private Herbert G. Bernard.

For their contribution to our freedom, I would also like to give these men the recognition they deserve. Here the story of Private First Class Adam Valuchivich, a member of D Battery, 494th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion.

Biography and Wartime Service

Adam Valuchivich was born on July 29,1915 in Chicago, Illinois. His next of kin was listed as Micheal Dragel. His educational background as having completed two years of high school.

Adam Valuchivich enlisted on August 7, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois and was part of the original men assigned to the 494th when it was formed in Iceland in 1942. Two years later, November 2, 1944 Valuchivich and the 494th AAA Gun Bn arrived in Putte, as part of operation 'Antwerp X'.

In the accident on November 6, 1944 which killed Frank Klepper, Adam Valuchivich suffered injuries from the shrapnel of the exploding 40mm shell. He was initially treated at the hospital for the treatment of wounds on his head. Because of the light injuries Adam did not lose any time with his unit and was able to return to his duties quickly. Despite the incident and losing Gun nr 4, D-Battery was operational again 4 hours later at their new location in the Heerkenslei, Putte.

His discharge papers indicate that he ended up as a Private First Class. He returned to the U.S. on August 24, 1945, where he was honorably discharged on September 10, 1945 as a member of the 494th Anti-Aircraft Battalion.

After his military service Adam worked as a shipping clerk in the retail mail and was a member of the Croatian Franklin Union. He married Virginia Piechocki. Adam Valuchivich died on November 10, 1974 at the McNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois, following a short illness.

If anyone can help me with further identification of Pfc. Adam Valuchivich, please contact me