Springfield Paratrooper Francis M. Jirinec was mentioned prominently during a Saturday broadcast concerning the European Invasion. According to a report of the broadcast, Jirinec was with a U. S. Airborne unit In France, and with the members of his group who were armed only with rifles, had taken an 88-millimeter gun emplacement and machine gun nests from the Germans.
     Following the encounter, the American troopers were resting under a tree, and Jirinec offered his canteen to a reporter who was nearby. Upon, taking a drink, the reporter found it was applejack he was drinking instead of water.
     Jirinec Is the husband of Mrs. Ruth Jirinec of 221 N. Yellow Springs st and they have a year-old daughter, Connie Sue; his mother, Mrs. Agnes Furay resides at Springfield, Route 1.
     A member of the Merchant Marine for two years prior to entering the Army, Jirinec was employed by the Crowell-Collier Publishing Co. for about six weeks before enlisting ln the U. S. Army Paratroops Oct 28. 1942. He received training at Camp Blanding, Fl, Ft. Benning, Ga. and Camp Mackall, N. C, before. embarking for overseas duty in January, 1944.

[source: Springfield Sun [MO] - courtesy of Darrin Mason]

.

Headstone Inscription and Interment record with resulting grave marker for Pvt Francis M. Jirinec at Plot G Row 26 Grave 15 in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France

Pvt Jirinec was wounded in action on June 13, 1944 and died of his wounds later that same day, presumably in a field hospital.  He was awarded the Purple Heart.