Bentleyville man posthumously receives Purple Heart
The long wait for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Edwin Molesky is over.
The World War II veteran was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart in a ceremony Friday at Mon Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in Donora, where Molesky is buried with his wife of 58 years, Louise.
All of Molesky’s five children – sons Eugene, David, Thomas and Philip and daughter Theresa – were in attendance, as well as some of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“This was a long time coming,” said Philip Molesky. “He felt when he came home he had all of his digits, and he was home with his family; he didn’t need any decorations. My father wasn’t about medals, but he had a lot of grandchildren in high school who were learning about the war. He started the process because of his grandchildren.”
Friday’s presentation was made by Col. Shawn Wray, commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of Washington.
The ceremony was the culmination of an effort that Molesky, a lifelong Bentleyville resident, started just before his death at the age of 87 in July 2006.
“It is very important for us to continue your father and grandfather’s legacy,” Wray said. “To see how long it has taken is frustrating. I’m very appreciative that you guys did continue to push it through because it was absolutely valid and warranted. It’s extremely important for him to be recognized for what he did.”
Wray presented the Purple Heart to Thomas Molesky, who served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 1978.
“I know my father is watching down right now on us and he’s very pleased to see his family here gathered and getting this presented to him,” Thomas said.
Thomas said he felt the Purple Heart should go to his brother Philip for his effort to ensure his father received the honor.
“He wasn’t going to stop until this day happened,” Thomas said.
Molesky did not have to join the war effort because he had been granted a deferment. He had two older brothers already serving, and he was the head of the household. But Molesky felt it was his duty to volunteer.
“His oldest sister, oldest brother, mother and father came over from Poland and this country welcomed them,” Philip said. “He said, ‘I have to go. I can’t live with myself (if I don’t go).'”
Family members said Molesky did not talk about his time in the war or even the injuries he suffered in France in November 1944 while participating in the Battle of the Bulge.
“He never once took us to a fireworks display,” Philip said. “He said, ‘I saw all of the fireworks I needed to see in France. I saw a lifetime of fireworks.'”
But they did say he suffered a dislocated hip among other injuries. He later returned to the battlefield as a forward observer for his artillery unit.
Molesky went to work at Bethlehem Mines, Mine 60, and later for U.S. Steel Corp. at the Donora Mill. For several years, Molesky was self-employed, operating a shoe repair business.
The effort to get the Purple Heart was made difficult after it was determined all of Molesky’s service records were destroyed in a fire in the 1970s.
The family was able to provide a local newspaper article stating that Molesky’s father was notified that he was “seriously injured in action,” and a book published by the 100th Century Division listed Sgt. Molesky as “injured in action.”
Family members became quite emotional during the award ceremony.
“This is pretty nice,” said Philip, choking back tears. “I’m sorry he’s not here to see it, (but) he is here to see it and his grandchildren are here. That’s what he wanted. He wanted to pass that on to his grandchildren.”
His brother Dave agreed.
“It’s a big blessing, that’s all I can say,” he said.