Original U.S. WWII Framed Signature of 1st Sergeant Leonard A. Funk, Jr. - Medal of Honor Recipient - 8 ¼ x 12 ¼”

Original Item. Only One Available. First Sergeant Leonard Alfred Funk Jr. (August 27, 1916 – November 20, 1992) was a United States Army Medal of Honor recipient and one of the most decorated soldiers and paratroopers of World War II. While serving with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (508th PIR), then part of the 82nd Airborne Division, he also received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and three Purple Hearts.

This is a great framed photo and autograph of 1st Sergeant Leonard A. Funk, Jr.. The frame measures 8 ¼ x 12 ¼” and displays very well. 

The back of the frame has a wire for hanging. Ready to display!

Funk was drafted into the United States Army from Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, in June 1941. The following year, after the United States entered World War II, he volunteered for the paratroopers, part of the U.S. Army's newly created airborne forces. After completing his training and earning his jump wings, he was assigned to Company 'C' of the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (508th PIR), then stationed in Camp Blanding, Florida. He was to serve with the 508th throughout the war and went with the regiment to England in late 1943, where they became part of the veteran 82nd Airborne Division. He jumped into Normandy with the 508th on D-Day, 6 June 1944. It was during the Normandy action that Funk would receive his Silver Star.

Funk would next participate in the ill-fated Operation Market Garden parachuting into Holland on 17 September 1944. During the offensive Funk would lead a three-man team to destroy German anti-aircraft guns earning him the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 29 January 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge, he was serving as the first sergeant of his company in Holzheim, Belgium when he encountered a group of more than 80 German soldiers, most of whom had previously been captured by American forces but, with the help of a German patrol, had managed to overwhelm their guards. Despite being greatly outnumbered, Funk opened fire and called for the captured American guards to seize the Germans' weapons. He and the guards successfully killed or re-captured all of the German soldiers. By the end of the battle Funk was serving as interim company executive officer. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on September 5, 1945.