It is with great sadness that the family of Richard Jagielski, age 92, announces his passing on April 22, 2017. God has him in his arms and we have him in our hearts.
Born in Amsterdam, N.Y. on July 13, 1924, he was the son of the late Jerzy (George) and Joanna (Jennie) Brzezinski Jagielski. He was educated in local schools and graduated from Amsterdam Technical High School.
Richard was a highly decorated United States Army Veteran of World War II. He served with the initial assault team of the U.S. Army's 29th Infantry Division which led the landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day. He fought through the hedgerow country and was seriously woundedin the outskirts of Saint Lo, Normandy, France. For four months after recuperating in a hospital in England, he was transferred to the 716th Railway Operating Battalion which was supplying the front lines.
For service to his country our Hero was awarded the following medals and awards:European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, WW II Victory Medal with Star, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, NYS Conspicuous Services Cross, Bronze Arrowhead for the Invasion, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Sharp Shooter Rifle, French Fourragère, Honorable Service Lapel Button WW II, Meritorious Service Plague and Campaign Star, Normandy Liberation Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation 115thRegiment and Army Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp which signified he was in Germany when the war ended.Additionally Richard became a "Knight of the Legion of Honor" which is the French Republic's highest distinction received for the liberation of France.
He was later presented with a Certificate of Recognition from the U.S. Secretary of Defense, a Freedom Team Salute Certificate of Appreciation from the Secretary of the Army, Diplomatic Award for Combat from 1944-1945 issued by the French Republic’s Secretary of Defense, Certificate of Merit sponsored by The French Government, NYS Senate Certificate along with the State Senate's highest award, the NYS Senate Liberty Award and the City of Amsterdam, Veteran Service Medal. He also received his high school diploma under “Operation Recognition” a program that allowed the awarding of diplomas to WW II veterans.
Richard was a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veteran of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the Gold Circle of the VFW, 29th Division Association, John J. Wyszomirski American Legion Post 701 and a Charter Member of the WW II Memorial.
While in Normandy, France, participating in the 35th Anniversary of the Invasion at Omaha Beach, Richard was interviewedon the beach, by ABC and NBC news for his eyewitness commentary on the D-Day Invasion. He also attended and was honored at the opening ceremonies of the WW II Memorial in Washington, DC.
A lifelong Amsterdam resident, except for the three years spent in the service of his country, Richard was a communicant ofSt. Joseph and St. StanislausRoman Catholic Churches, an avid sports fan, a manager of three Little League Championship Teams and a pitcher for a Semi Pro Baseball Team.He was employed by Mohawk Carpet Mills and retired from GE.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Julia Horak Jagielski; daughters and spouses, Susan and Joseph China and Linda and Walter Bargstedt; son, Mark Jagielski and wife Patti; granddaughters and spouses, Kayla and Brian Moore, Kassi and Chris Tambasco and granddaughter Breia Hunter; great grandchildren, Payton and Adalyna Moore and Vincent Tambasco; nephews, Paul Wolfe and George (Jody) Jagielski; sister-in-law, Mary Johnson and family; cousins and many friends.Richard was predeceased by his brother, George Jagielski and wife Gertrude; sister Vivian Wolfe and husband Carmel; brothers-in-law, Joseph Horak and wife Peggy, William Horak and Larry Johnson.
The family wishes to thank Bill Bouton for his kindness and the caregivers and staff of the Wilkinson Residential Healthcare Facility for the compassionate care Richard received. Our family will forever hold dear the friendships we made on the 3rd floor of the facility.
Funeral services were private. Interment with full military honors took place at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Amsterdam, N.Y.
Richard will always be remembered for his genuinely sweet smile with just the right touch of shyness that gives you an unexpected rush of warmth. We miss him already R.I.P. Richard until we meet again.
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