Andrew "Andy" Orshoski was born in Dorcester, Virginia (now West Virginia) on March 9, 1911 to Joseph and Julia Orshoski. Around 1917 the Orshoski family moved to Bay Bridge, Ohio, where a cement factory was located. Andrew worked for 27 years at the Medusa Cement Company, and he then worked as a maintenance man for the Margaretta School system in Castalia, Ohio. Andy, whose nickname was Pancake, often gave candy to the school students. The family legend was that when Andy was faced with a particularly terrifying situation during the Second World War, his hair suddenly turned white. Because his hair was the color of pancake flour, his buddies called him Pancake.
On November 18, 1943, Andrew Orshoski enlisted in the United States Army, at Fort Hayes, Ohio. He served with Battery A of the 55th Field Artillery Battalion. Has was a cannoneer, and was involved in battles in New Guinea and Luzon. Andrew Orshoski earned many awards during his military service, including:
Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, with Two Bronze Stars
Philippine Liberation Ribbon, with One Bronze Star
Good Conduct Medal
Purple Heart
and
World War Two Victory Medal
Andrew was wounded on May 4, 1945. He left the Army on April 3, 1946, from Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
On November 30, 1980, Andy Orshoski died at the Medical College of Ohio Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. He was survived by his wife, the former Mary Clark, and daughters Linda and Debbie. Andrew Orshoski was buried at Restlawn Memorial Park in Huron, Ohio. The VFW conducted services on Tuesday, December 2, 1980. (Click on the image below, for a larger view.)
1 comment:
We still miss you, Pancake!
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