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The Sergeant John W. Gabersek Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Staff Sergeant Anton “Tuench” Povirk
77th Infantry Division Reconnaissance Company - Radioman



My Grandfathers brother Anton and I knew each other from Weddings, Birthdays, and the like.  I wish I would have known that he was a World War Two veteran for he and I would have had some great conversations.  Like my Great Uncle Johnny and Frankie, he too participated in the Liberation of the Philippines, earning 4 battle stars.  A quiet and calming man, he too was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  Serving with the 77^th Division’s (The Liberty Division) Reconnaissance Company as a radioman, the unit was deployed to the Pacific and saw action at Ryukyus, the Philippines, and Leyte.  His enlistment began on the March 27^{th, of} 1942, & was later discharged as a Staff Sergeant in December 1945.  My Great Uncle Tuench died in 1990 survived by his loving wife Rosie.

Biography

Hometown – West Newton, PA

Radio Repairman 648

77th Reconnaissance Troop, 77th Infantry Division

4 Combat Battle Stars

Invasion Arrowhead

Easter Mandates - Southern Philippines - Ryukyus (Okinawa)

Good Conduct Medal - American Campaign Medal

Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal

Philippine Liberation Medal

WWII Victory Medal - Expert 30 Caliber Machinegun

Inducted 27 March, 1942 - Fort Pierce Florida for Amphibious Training - Camp Stoneman, Pittsburgh California - Ship Departs 24 March, 1944 - Arrived Honolulu 30 March, 1944 carried onto the Asiatic Pacific Theater - Eastern Mandates - Southern Philippines - Ryukyus - Departed 15 November 1945 - Arrived United States Fort Lewis Washington 25 November 1945 - Camp Atterbury - Discharged 11 December 1945 - Pittsburgh - Home

3 Years, 8 Months, and 13 Days in the service of his country.

77th "Liberty" Division

Battle Lineage of the 77th Reconnaissance Troop

Ernie Pyle, well known war correspondent was killed during the fighting on Ie Shima island and was later buried in the 77th Division cemetery there.

I recognize this area as my great grandparents backyard in West Newton.