Army Badge
  • Name: Henry Karjala
  • Location of Birth: Bovey, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: July 11, 1917
  • Date of Death: January 14, 1999
  • Parents: Paul Karjala & Gustava (Leinonen) Karjala
  • High School and Class:
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: PFC (Private First Class)
  • Branch: Army
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: April 11, 1943
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: November 19, 1945
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:
    Purple Heart
    Combat Infantry Badge

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Henry Karjala
    Race: White
    Age: 23
    Birth Date: July 11, 1917
    Birth Place: Itasca, Minnesota, USA
    Residence Place: Squaw Lake, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
    Registration Date: October 16, 1940
    Employer: Robert Terho, Squaw Lake, Itasca, Minnesota
    Weight: 160
    Height: 5-6
    Complexion: Light
    Eye Color: Blue
    Hair Color: Blonde
    Next of Kin: Paul Karjala, father, Route 1, Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota

    Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - April 27, 1945 - "WITH M. P. BATTALION IN ARMY COMBAT AREA - With the 516th M.P. Bn., Seventh Army, France - The first Military Police battalion to be formed in army area during combat operations, the 516th M.P. Battalion is also one of the newest units in the field with the Seventh Army. Men of the 516th bring to their new unit experience gathered in every important battle fought in the Mediterranean Theater from the hills and sands of North Africa, through the mud and mountains of Italy, over the beaches and rolling country of France. There are veterans of Kasserine Pass, El Guettar, Cassino, Anzio, St. Tropes, Cherbourg Raon L'Etape, Bitche, and Colmar in the battalion ranks. Their E.T.O. ribbons are studded with Campaign Stars and many have won citations for bravery. This battalion is led by officers and non-commissioned officers selected from the 504th M.P. Battalion, whose record at Anzio Beachhead brought great credit to the Corps of Military Police, the 759th M.P. Battalion, and from other well established police units in the Seventh Army. The personnel was chosen from many of the outstanding fighting infantry divisions in this theater.
    Friends of Private First Class Henry Karjala, 27, son of Paul Karjala, Route 1, Bovey, will be glad to know that he is now serving with this new unit. Pfc. Karjala attended local public schools and was employed by the Mesaba Cliffs Mining Company, Marble, before entering the service. He entered the Army in April 1942, and has been overseas since July 1943, serving as an infantryman with the well-known 45th Division in Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. For wounds received in action, Pfc Karjala has been awarded the Purple Heart, and he has also received the Combat Infantry Badge."

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Henry Karjala worked in the mines on the Iron Range for several years. He farmed in Blackberry Township and had lived in St. Cloud, Moose Lake and Silver Bay in his later years.

    Henry died in Silver Bay, Minnesota and is buried in Trout Lake Community Cemetery, Bovey, Minnesota. He is survived by his daughter, Delores (Darrell) White; one son, Willard Karjala; two sisters, Elsie Pirila and Anna Jacobson; one brother, Matt Karjala; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Hilda Terho and Helen Gellner; and three brothers, Frank, Andrew and William Karjala.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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