Today we honor the birthday of Sergeant John A. Kostrisak, Sr., a highly decorated World War II veteran from Avon, Connecticut, whose legacy of courage, service, and quiet strength continues to inspire.
Born in Burlington, Connecticut to Andras Kostrisak and Anna (Scigulinsky) Kostrisak Hatala, John grew up learning the values of hard work, faith, and devotion to family. After marrying the late Jennie (Zionce) Kostrisak, the couple made their home in Avon in 1963. Together, they built a life rooted in love, community, and enduring patriotism.
At just 18 years old, John was drafted from New Britain Trade School and inducted into the U.S. Army on April 9, 1943. After completing basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida, and further training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and Fort Meade, Maryland, he deployed overseas on October 6, 1943, aboard an English ship with 5,000 other troops. Landing in Casablanca, Morocco, he traveled by French train to Oran, Algeria, and was later assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division in Cassino, Italy on January 22, 1944.
During the Allied landing at Anzio, John’s assault boat suffered engine trouble, forcing him and his unit to land in daylight under heavy artillery and air attacks. He carried an ’03 Springfield Rifle equipped with a grenade launcher and was soon designated the company’s Rifle Grenadier. On February 18, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, John displayed extraordinary heroism that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. Braving intense enemy fire, he single-handedly took out multiple enemy machine gun positions and forced the surrender of dozens of German troops. Later that day, he charged a German Mark IV tank, scored direct hits with his rifle grenade, and forced the crew to abandon it.
The very next day, he was wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel from a tank shell and spent several weeks recovering in Naples. He returned to his company in May during the campaign toward Rome, where his unit suffered devastating losses. Of the 250 men who began the assault, only 20–25 remained when the Germans surrendered.
John later participated in the invasion of Southern France on August 15, 1944, landing near Marseilles under heavy fire. After days of combat and pursuit of retreating enemy forces, he was injured again—this time spraining his ankle in a fall during a patrol, which led to hospitalization in Marseilles. Upon returning to duty, he joined his unit near the Maginot Line. On September 20, 1944, his unit was struck by a mortar barrage that killed many of his comrades. John survived but suffered severe concussions and internal injuries, requiring another month of recovery.
After his release from the hospital, John was removed from front-line duty and assigned to the 211th Replacement Battalion, where he helped wounded soldiers return to their units. He departed Europe on October 25, 1945, and returned to the U.S. on November 10, completing more than two years of overseas service.
His combat record included five major campaigns: Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, John was awarded the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Rifleman Badge, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze stars. He served with distinction from April 16, 1943, to November 14, 1945.
A lifelong patriot, John joined Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3272 in Avon in 1948 and remained an active member. He was also affiliated with Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
After the war, John worked more than 40 years as an auto technician with Weatogue Garage, Mitchell Pontiac, and O’Neill’s Chevrolet-Buick. He found peace in the quiet rhythms of home life—gardening in his backyard, fishing and swimming at the Barkhamsted Reservoir, dancing polka with Jennie, and cheering for the Boston Red Sox. He was also a devoted member of St. Patrick Church in Collinsville and a familiar face at both the Avon and Canton Senior Centers.
John passed away peacefully at home on March 9, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his wife Jennie, his siblings Andrew Kostrisak, Anna Kostrisak, Mary Squires, Margaret Gorman, and his stepfather Joseph Hatala.
He is survived by his loving family: son John Jr. and daughter-in-law Jan; daughter Joan; daughter Judy and son-in-law John; and grandchildren Michael and Matthew. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends who were touched by his kindness, humility, and quiet strength.
On this birthday, we remember Sergeant John A. Kostrisak not just for the medals he earned or the battles he fought, but for the life he lived with honor, courage, and love. His legacy continues through the family he cherished and the nation he defended with everything he had.
Vet Stories | Canton, CT Patch
John Kostrisak – Hall of Valor: U.S. Military Awards
Interview (Part One) with John A. Kostrisak, WWII veteran. CCSU Veterans History Project
Click here for a PDF copy of his history
