Flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of soldier who died in World War II

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Wednesday in honor of U.S. Army Private First Class Leon R. Karwacki, who died at 27-years-old in World War II.

Private First Class Karwacki’s remains were identified and returned to the state for burial.

Private First Class Karwacki was killed engaging enemy forces in Germany on Sept. 17, 1944. His body could not be immediately recovered following the attack. He was posthumously recognized for his bravery with the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and other honors.

In 1945, American graves registration personnel recovered unidentified remains. The remains were exhumed by the U.S. Department of Defense and American Battle Monuments Commission in June 2024, and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency was able to identify the remains as Private First Class Karwacki after using dental, anthropological, and circumstantial evidence.

Private First Class Karwacki was a Milwaukee native, and he will be buried with full military honors Wednesday, Sept. 10 in the city.

“Private First Class Leon R. Karwacki was a hero who selflessly answered the call to serve and gave his life defending the values and freedoms we hold most dear,” said Evers in a statement. “We are forever grateful for his service and sacrifice, and it is an honor to welcome Private First Class Karwacki back to his home state so that he may be finally laid to rest.” 

The executive order will be in effect from sunrise to sunset Wednesday.