Charles Malachosky Awarded French Legion of Honor

Charles Malachosky entered the Armed Forces in 1942. He disembarked on Utah Beach in Nor­mandy, on July 26, 1944, as part of Op­eration Overlord to liberate France from German occupation. He was assigned to Headquar­ters,  Company, 5th Armored Division, led by Major General Oliver, and served as Techni­cian 5th Grade. As a gunner on a halftrack, he manned a 50-caliber machine gun and followed a route from the town of Coutances to St. Lo. He frequently carried a 30-caliber machine gun on foot as well, and throughout the route, ran messages back to Division Headquarters half a mile behind.

He learned of some problems with displaced Polish prisoners who had looted the empty homes of French citizens and were turned in for their crimes. While the victims had asked the Captain for help, neither he nor the Sergeant involved could speak Polish and had little success resolving the conflict. Malachosky informed the Captain that he had Polish-speaking parents and could speak the language. He told the prisoners that they had 24 hours to return the stolen items or they would be shot for violating the Articles of War.

His Captain was not only surprised at Malachosky’s language ability, but also his    effectiveness at recovering the stolen property and referred to him as a “miracle for the division.”

When their valuables were returned, the French people thanked him profusely, hugging and kissing him. This made him feel appreciated and very proud. As a result, the Captain referred to Malachosky with the code name “Ski,” promoted him to Corporal and reassigned him as a direct reporter and the company’s interpreter. Malachosky continued using his interrogational skills throughout his service.

He participated in the Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns. He is a recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with five battle stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the American Theater Ribbon. He was discharged in April 1946.

A longtime resident and pillar of his commu­nity, Malachosky was the Ward 2 representative on the City Council from 1980-94. Mr. Malachosky and his wife of 68 years, Simone, whom he met in Belgium during the war, live in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. He was decorated Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor on December 6, 2013.

Charles Malachosky, 5th Armored Division
Charles Malachosky, 5th Armored Division