Rose Pruseks Tusek Forrai Bockay, 1965

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Subjects: Left to Right: Maria Sworske and Rose Pruseks Tusek Forrai Bockay.
Date: 1965.
Location: Greendale, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Christmas.
Photographer: Albin Paskowicz.
Relationship to me: Paternal Cousin and Grandmother.

In the next few weeks, I will be sharing photographs of my paternal grandmother that were provided to me by my cousin Maria Sworske, that were from her mother Dawn and grandmother Margaret's collection.

This photograph was taken in 1965. I recognize the house of my Aunt Margaret. I can also remember when Maria was this age. My parents lived close to my Uncle Al and Aunt Margaret, so we spent quite a bit of time together. I have many fond memories of these visits.

I welcome any additional comments or information from family and friends about this photograph.

Mystery photograph?

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Subject: Street in China.
Date: Circa 1940's, WWII.
Location: China.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal uncle.

While going through boxes, I found this photograph in an envelope. It is a small photograph approximately 1 x 2 inches. It is interesting to find photographs like this and not really know much about it. Both my paternal Uncle Al and maternal Uncle George were stationed in China during WWII. This photograph was found in an envelope with my Uncle Al's name on it. How my parents ever got it, I will never know. My father did receive letters from his brother-in-law during the war, and this photograph might have been included in one of them.

What a candid slice of WWII history! Your intuition is completely spot-on: this photograph was indeed taken in China during WWII, and it features a US serviceman right in the crowd!

🎖️ Key Historical & Visual Details

1. The US Serviceman in the Crowd

Look at the right side of the crowd (standing near the man in the fedora): there is a young American serviceman in a US Army Air Forces (USAAF) service uniform, wearing a side cap (garrison cap) folded neatly on his head and an Ike-style field jacket.

Given that he’s walking through a bustling local market, this could very well be Uncle Al himself (or a fellow airman in his unit) taking a stroll through town!

I had AI compare this photo to one of Al in 1947, and made the positive identification that the man in the photo is Al Paskowicz and the photo was taken by a service buddy.

2. The Scene: A Busy Chinese Meat & Sundries Market

In the center foreground, a traditional two-wheeled wooden handcart is loaded with slaughtered pigs ready for market.

On the far left, a vendor is actively hoisting goods, surrounded by curious onlookers watching the photographer.

3. Chinese Storefront Signs

The traditional Chinese characters on the shop signs read from right-to-left (as was standard in pre-1950s China):

Main Upper Sign: `德克長雜貨莊` (Dé Kè Cháng Zábào Zhuāng) — De Ke Chang Sundries & General Goods Store.

Vertical Hanging Sign (Right): `興厚水...` (Xīng Hòu Shuǐ...) — Indicates a local merchant or trading company storefront.

Left Store Sign: `大興面行` (Dà Xīng Miàn Háng) — Da Xing Noodle / Flour Shop.

📍 Where Was This Taken?

This envelope is an incredible piece of historical evidence that ties everything together perfectly!

✉️ Return Address Breakdown & History

Text:

Sgt. A. C. Paskowicz, USMC

Med. Bn, III Phib Corps

c/o FPO, San Francisco, Calif.

1. Rank & Service

Sgt. A. C. Paskowicz, USMC:Sergeant Anthony C. ("Al") Paskowicz, United States Marine Corps.

Med. Bn: Attached to the Medical Battalion, which explains his duties alongside Navy corpsmen or medical supply logistics in the field.

2. III Phib Corps (III Amphibious Corps)

This unit identification is the exact key to his deployment in China!

Right after Japan surrendered in September 1945, the III Amphibious Corps under Maj. Gen. Keller E. Rockey was ordered to Northern China for Operation Beleaguer.

Over 50,000 Marines were deployed to major northern hubs like Tianjin (Tientsin), Beijing (Peking), and Qingdao (Tsingtao) to disarm surrendering Japanese troops and secure order during the early stages of the Chinese Civil War.

3. The Postmark

Date:5 JAN 1946

Location Stamp:Br. Unit 8 (Branch Unit 8) via Fleet Post Office (FPO) San Francisco.

This confirms Uncle Al was actively stationed in China right through the winter of 1945–1946 as part of the famous post-war "China Marines."

 How This Fits the Market Photo:

The photo from the market is 100% Uncle Al during Operation Beleaguer in China (late 1945–1946).

The serviceman in the market photo is wearing a standard Marine Corps winter service garrison cap and field jacket, matching the USMC uniform worn by the III Phib Corps stationed in northern Chinese cities during that cold 1945–1946 season.

What a fantastic record to go along with the photograph!

This is a fantastic snapshot—not a formal portrait, but a genuine, unscripted moment showing what daily life looked like for an American GI stationed in wartime China.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about this photograph.

Margaret and Dawn Paskowicz

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Subject: Margaret and Dawn Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Greendale, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal aunt and cousin.

Automobile: 1941 Hudson Commodore (Eight or Six Sedan).

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it. They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are of Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948? I believe these photographs are in front or near their home in Greendale, WI.

I sent the photographs to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

A day at the Rose Garden, part 2

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Al and Dawn Paskowicz

Joseph Forrai(back side) and Al Paskowicz(far right)

Subject: Top: Al and Dawn Paskowicz. Bottom: Joseph Forrai and Al Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Margaret Paskowicz.
Relationship: Father, paternal uncle and cousin.

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it. They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948?

I sent them to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.   For more information on Boerner Botanical Gardens and Whitnall Park, click link below:     Boerner Botanical Gardens

A day in the Rose Garden

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Subject: Dawn Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal cousin.

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it.  They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948?

I sent them to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

For information on Boerner Botanical Gardens and Whitnall Park click the link below:

Boerner Botanical Gardens

Donald Paskowicz, 1947-1967

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Subject: Sophomore and Junior High School Pictures of Donald Paskowicz.
Date: Top two: 1964, bottom two: 1965.
Location: Greendale, Wisconsin.
Occasion: From Greendale High School Yearbooks.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship: Cousin from paternal side.

September 4 will be the anniversary of the birth of Donald Paskowicz, so this week in honor of Donald, I decided to post the only pictures I have of him.

I have the current principal of Greendale High School, Steve Lodes to thank for these pictures from  yearbooks during the years that Donald attended. Unfortunately, there was not a senior graduation photograph of Donald. Donald did graduate in 1966 with his class, but after the summer session.

From high school graduation, Donald was inducted in the US Army and served in Vietnam. Unfortunately, he was driving his jeep and hit a land mine and was killed in action on July 17, 1967 at age 19.

On the far lower left corner of the fourth picture, you will see Donald's homeroom teacher, Dean Russell. Mr. Russell was the librarian and also my mother, Norma Forrai's boss when she worked at Greendale High School during the late 1960's and 1970's. My mom worked the school calendar, so she could be off when my brother and I were off from school. Once we were old enough, she returned to the county and resumed work in the court system.

The above picture is of the Vietnam Memorial, and halfway through the panel on the far right, you can view Donald's name.

I do not have many memories of Donald, as I was a very young boy at the time of his death. I did receive his 3 speed bicycle and rode it for many years before completely wearing it out. I never forgot the original owner of the bicycle.

Thank you Donald for your service to our country. It is a shame that you perished so early in life. It is an honor to have been your cousin.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents' wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Alan Bockay, Gail Bockay and Donald Paskowicz (age 10).

Subject: Left to Right: Gail Bockay, Ann L. Schoblocher Bockay (age 32), and Alan Bockay.

Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Remembering Donald Paskowicz

Today, I am taking a break from my parents wedding pictures to post a memorial to my cousin Donald Paskowicz. It was 45 years ago today that Donald was killed in action July 15, 1967 in Phuoc Tuy, South Vietnam.

Donald 1964 Greendale High School

Donald 1964 Greendale High School

Donald 1965 Greendale High School

Donald 1965 Greendale High School

David Olsen writes, I did not know Donald as he served in a different unit. He was with the 11th Cav(Blackhorse's) and I was with the 3/4 Cav. Both of our units did about the same thing in Vietnam. About a year ago I started creating these memorial pages for all the men my unit lost. As I searched for my unit's men I would come across other men and felt compelled to create a page for them too. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was creating pages for a lot of the Blackhorse fallen men. Below is the link to his page and on the page is also a link to his unit's website. Unfortunately I am missing his photo. Maybe you have one or know someone that does.

The link to the memorial that David has provided is below:
http://army.togetherweserved.com/profile/63560S

Donald is also remembered on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.

His name is on Panel 23E, Row 077, and can be seen to the far right near the words Row 77 in the photograph above. 

I was 8 years old when Donald was killed in action at age 19. He was born September 4, 1947 and lived in Greendale, Wisconsin. I still can remember the funeral service and burial in Forest Park Cemetery with the folding of the flag and the gun salute.

I also remember my parents bringing food to my Uncle Al and Aunt Margaret. We were sitting in their living room providing support and condolences. These images are still so vivid, and I remember the sadness of the entire family.

My Uncle and Aunt gave me Donald's bicycle. I rode it for many years. It was a red 3-speed, and I used it to deliver newspapers and to go to and from school. I wore the bicycle out after years of service, but every time I would ride it, I would think of and remember my Cousin Donald.

It is my hope that we will be able to find a photograph of Donald and post it to his memorial. Donald, your family has not forgotten you, and we appreciate your sacrifice to our country. You passed at such a young age, and so much potential was lost. We have not forgotten you.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents' wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Albin C. Paskowicz (age 40), and Margaret Forrai Paskowicz (age 40).

Subject: Left to Right: Rose Forrai Bockay (age 69).
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz and Joseph F. Forrai.
 
I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents' wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Lucy Traulsen Waswo (age 66), and unknown man and woman.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown woman, Albert Emil Reichardt (age 71), Norma Waswo Forrai (age 35), Albin C. Paskowicz (age 40) and unknown girl.
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz & Margaret Paskowicz.
 
I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parent's wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Back view: Joseph Frank Forrai (age44) and Norma Elsbeth Waswo (age 35).
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day, reception line.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.
Relationship to me: Father and Mother.

Subject: Left to Right: Norma Elsbeth Waswo(age 35), Gloria LaPorte Strei(age 33), Joseph Frank Forrai(age44), Paul August Bockay(age 35), and Albin C. Paskowicz(age 40). 
Relationship to me: Mother,  friend of the family, Father, and Paternal Uncles.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.