Early Life: Stephen W. Pszeniczka 

Stephen Pszeniczka lived a short life. He was the son of Poland-born Joseph Pszeniczka and Magdalene, Maggie, Szostak (prior to becoming Maggie Pszeniczka). His father was retired. Records vary on Stephen's date of birth, but a common denominator is that he was born sometime in 1921 or 1922 and most records say he was a December baby. His medical records even say that he was born on Christmas! He had several siblings with Stephen being the oldest followed by Peter, Sophia, Joseph, and John. When Stephen enlisted in the army at age 20 on June 15, 1942, his siblings were 19, 18, 16, and 8 years old. He was Pennsylvania born and bred; his family lived in Carnegie. Stephen enlisted for the army in Greensburg PA, 3 years into the war, with the war starting when he was just 18 in 1939. When Stephen entered the war he was still a young man and though he had no children, he was married to Mary Ann Waterman.

The is Mr. and Mrs. Pszeniczka's marriage record where both the occupation of Stephen's parents is revealed. His mother was a housewife and his father was retired.

This is the 1940 census, recording Stephen and all of his siblings as well as showing that his highest degree of education was his second year of high school.

On September 1, 1939 Germany stormed Poland when Stephen was 18 years old.