Joseph Lesniewski

Joseph A. “Joe” Lesniewski (August 29, 1920 – May 23, 2012) was an American Army soldier and World War II veteran. He served as a Private First Class with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Lesniewski graduated from Erie Technical High School and later served in the Civilian Conservation Corps before working for General Electric. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1942 and initially sought to become a pilot. After volunteering for the airborne forces, he completed paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Lesniewski was originally assigned to another airborne unit in Europe but was selected for a special operation because he spoke Polish. When the operation was cancelled, he was given a choice of airborne units and selected the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was subsequently assigned to Easy Company and became a member of its 3rd Platoon.