The story of Helmer (Hjalmer) I. Pylka
17th Armored Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division
Army Serial Number: 37282591
Birth:
03 October 1913 Minnesota
US Census 1920
Name: Helmar I Pylka
Sex: Male
Age: 6
Event Date: 1920
Event Place: Embarrass, St. Louis, Minnesota, United States
Event Place (Original): Embarrass, ED 147, St Louis, Minnesota, United States
Birth Year (Estimated): 1914
Birthplace: Minnesota
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Father’s Birthplace: Finland
Mother’s Birthplace: Finland
| Household | Role | Sex | Age | Birthplace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Pylka | Father | M | 55 | Finland |
| Anna L Pylka | Mother | F | 49 | Finland |
| Hannah Pylka | Sister | F | 23 | Minnesota |
| John A Pylka | Brother | M | 21 | Minnesota |
| William J Pylka | Brother | M | 18 | Minnesota |
| Oscar W Pylka | Brother | M | 16 | Minnesota |
| Henry M Pylka | Brother | M | 13 | Minnesota |
| Theodore J Pylka | Brother | M | 10 | Minnesota |
| Sadie S Pylka | Sister | F | 8 | Minnesota |
| Wilbert W Pylka | Brother | M | 4 | Minnesota |
| Esther F Pylka | Sister | F | 2 | Minnesota |
| Raymond L Pylka | Brother | M | 0 | Minnesota |
US Census 1940
At Military Camp Jackson, Fort Snelling
3rd Infantry, F Company
Event Type: Census
Name: Helmer I Pylka
Sex: Male
Age: 26
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Richfield, Richfield Village, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Occupation: Enlisted Man, U.S. ARMY
Last Place of Residence: Rural, St Louis, Minnesota
Birth Year (Estimated): 1914
Birthplace: Minnesota
Personal U.S. Army canteencup with engraved places attended during his wartime service 1942-1945
BOTTOM:
Helmer I. Pylka
37282591 (Army Serial Number)
Six vertical stripes (resamble “overseas bars ” that means 6 times 6 Months overseas service, total of 36 Months about 3 years)
Two stripes (each is a “Service Stripe” for 3 years of service, 2 stripes maka 6 years service time.
U.S.A. BOUND
SIDE’S:
(The locations this 17th Engineer has been during his service in chronological order)
FT. SNELLING (Fort at Minnesota)
FT. KNOX (Fort at Kentucky)
PT. HAMILTON (Port Hamilton (Harbour)
SAFI N. AFRICA (City called “Safi” at North Africa)
ORAN N. AFRICA (City called “Oran” at North Africa)
LIVERPOOL, ENG. (Liverpool in England, Europe)
TIDWORTH (Tidworth Barracks in England, Europe)
WEYMOUTH (Weymouth Barracks in England, Europe)
LE HARVE (Le Harve, France)
OMAHA BEACH (Omaha Beach, Normandy France)
ST LO (Saint Lo, city in Normandy France)
BELGIUM
HOLLAND
GERMANY
BULGE (Batte of the Bulge)
BERLIN (Berlin, City in Germany)
CAMP MYLES (US Army Camp at Massachusetts)
SWEET HOME
BACKSIDE:
T. . . . . . . (“T” with seven dots, meaning unknown)
H.I.P. (First letters of full name, Helmer I. Pylka)
2nd Armored Division HELL ON WHEELS (Insignia of the 2nd Armored Division, and the Battle cry HELL ON WHEELS)
BERLIN (Location where the 2nd Armored Division stationed when the War was over)
17TH (17th Armored Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia)
“We Pave Way” (the motto of the coat of Arms)
United States Social Security Death Index
Name: Helmer I Pylka
Middle Name: I
State: Railroad Board
Last Place of Residence: Minnesota
Previous Residence Postal Code: 55771
Age: 85
Birth Date: 03 Oct 1913
Death Date: 27 Jan 1998
Name: Helmer I Pylka
Sex: Male
Age: 84
Event Date: 28 Jan 1998
Event Place: Minnesota, United States
Death Date: 27 Jan 1998
Death Place: Buhl, ,
Birth Year (Estimated): 1914
Relationship to Deceased: Deceased
Spouse and Children
| Jon Pylka | Son | Male |
Parents and Siblings
| Leonard | Brother | Male |
| Ted | Brother | Male |
| Sadie Maki | Sister | Female |
| Esther Jacobson | Sister | Female |
Extended Family
| Geraldine Pylka | Daughter-In-Law | Female |
| Irene | Sister-In-Law | Female |
| Arvo Maki | Brother-In-Law | Male |
| Stephanie | Granddaughter | Female |
Others on Record
| Linda Vicksland | Non Relative | Female |
| Reverend Reuben Rosnau | Non Relative | Male |
Citing this Record
“United States Social Security Death Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VM3W-42S : 11 January 2021), Helmer I Pylka, 27 Jan 1998; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).