Markgraf Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 This photograph was found by a friend of mine on a local (Northern Hungary) rubbish-heap. I think on the picture can be seen a WWI US Army soldier, sadly the inscription on the backside is a bit unreadable. I would be happy for any extra information!
Dave Danner Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Private George Kapusta Co. D., 10th US Infantry Regiment Camp Custer, Michigan George Kapusta was born on 17 February 1886 in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (in what later became Czechoslovakia) and died on 28 August 1962. He lived in Chicago, Illinois. He is buried in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Justice, Illinois. This was a mainly Polish cemetery, but the name Kapusta could be Czech, Slovak or Polish. He served from 2 May 1917 to 17 January 1919 in Company D, 10th Infantry. The 10th Infantry Regiment was sent Camp Custer, Michigan, in July 1918 when the 14th Division was being formed. World War I ended before the division went overseas. Regards
Dave Danner Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Application for a military veteran headstone:
IrishGunner Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) This was a mainly Polish cemetery, but the name Kapusta could be Czech, Slovak or Polish. Coincidentally, the word "Kapusta" means "cabbage" in Polish. Great photo actually. Amazing find as Chris states... Edited January 3, 2013 by IrishGunner
Dave Danner Posted January 4, 2013 Posted January 4, 2013 I wonder how the photo ended up in northern Hungary. I guess it could be anything from "he sent it to his family after the war" to "someone bought it on eBay".
speagle Posted January 4, 2013 Posted January 4, 2013 Now-THIS is why I LOVE this site!!!!! Fantastic what you get by just posting a picture found in a trash dump! Well done all. Ed
Brian Wolfe Posted January 4, 2013 Posted January 4, 2013 I must echo Ed's comment. What a great find and the artifact has been saved, it really doesn't get better than that. Regards Brian
Markgraf Posted January 6, 2013 Author Posted January 6, 2013 (edited) Dave: Thank You Very much! This is really fantastic! With help of Dave's informations I was found Mr. Kapusta in the US immigration database ( ellisisland.org) According these György Kapusta immigrated to the United States in 1904 at age 18. Arrived to Ellis Island on October 24, on the board of the ship named Slavonia. His destination was Ilasco, Missouri (the residence of his brother-in-law, János Kiszel). He confessed himself to Ruthenian. His last residence in Austro-Hungary was the village named Dobronya (today Dobrá Niva, Slovakia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobr%C3%A1_Niva) Dobronya is approximately 50 km away from the finding place of the picture. So I think he sent home the photo to his parents or relatives after the war. One more question: His military record contained his exact birthplace or noted only Austria-Hungary? Edited January 6, 2013 by Markgraf
Dave Danner Posted January 6, 2013 Posted January 6, 2013 Actually, his draft registration says Czechoslovakia. Of course, Czechoslovakia did not exist when he was born. His detailed military record was probably destroyed in the fire in the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.
Markgraf Posted February 2, 2013 Author Posted February 2, 2013 I wrote a post about this story for a Hungarian WWI blog. http://nagyhaboru.blog.hu/2013/01/25/egy_arc_odaatrol Of course I mentioned the GMIC and the helpful members.
Herman Posted February 3, 2013 Posted February 3, 2013 Off topic, sorry.... Does anybody (especially you Dave) have any info on a WW1 Pvt Willie L. Royse, drafted in june 1917 and discharged in 1919. I cant find anything on units etc. All i know he served in France and was wounded there. Thanks Herman
Alex K Posted February 3, 2013 Posted February 3, 2013 Wow... feaking amazing! I agree entirely, amazing how so much information can be obtained from, basically nothing, now he is no longer a piece of disposible "Trash" but has an identity again.
Alex K Posted February 3, 2013 Posted February 3, 2013 Hi I hope you don't mind but I thought he needed a better epitaph, attached a quick restoration. regards Alex
Alex K Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 No problem, I thought he deserved it. Unfortunately, age and photographic deterioration made it difficult to do a better job. regards
speagle Posted February 15, 2013 Posted February 15, 2013 Alex, A beautiful piece of work. Congrats Ed
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