S/Sgt. Theodore Paduch

Theodore Paduch was born August 16, 1921, in Rome, Oneida County, New York, to Paul (Pawel) P. (1892-1958) and Elizabeth Wohn (1885-1990) Paduch (also spelled Paduck). The New York State Birth Record shows Theodore’s given name as Teddy. Elizabeth was born in Austria, came to the United States in 1905, and married Paul on August 31, 1909, in Amsterdam, New York. According to their marriage record, both Paul and Elizabeth were living in Amsterdam, New York and worked as mill hands.  Paul and Elizabeth had six children: Josephine Flowers (1915-2008), Lottie Bryla (1919-2018), Theodore (1921-1943), Edward (1923-2013), Paul Jr. (1926-1988), and Casper (?).  

The U.S. Census of 1940, records that Paul was born in Poland and worked at a wire mill (Rome Cable Corporation) as a machine operator. The family lived at 304 South Jay Street, Rome, New York. Paul was a founder and former president of the Polish Home, Inc., and an organizer of the All Saints Polish National Catholic Church, of which the Paduch family were members. He was also instrumental in establishing Pulaski Park in Rome, New York. He was a member of many organizations including the Polish Independent Club, Thaddeus Kosciuszko Society, Sokol Society, Joseph Pilsudski Group, Polish National Catholic Union, Casimier Pulaski Society, and many other organizations and worthy causes. Paul became a U.S. citizen in July 1926.  

Theodore attended Rome Free Academy in Rome. In 1933 he was a member of Boy Scouts of Transfiguration of Our Lord Church. He participated in a hike to Delta Dam and passed second class fire building and cooking and earned a Tenderfoot pin.  

Theodore registered for the draft on February 14, 1942, at DeWitt Clinton School in Rome, New York. Theodore was 5’11” tall, weighed 155 pounds, and had brown hair and blue eyes. His employer was listed as Rome Cable Corporation of Rome, New York. He lived with his parents at 304 South Jay Street, also in Rome. Theodore was inducted into the US Army on August 24, 1942, and given a 14-day furlough. He entered the service on September 6, 1942.  

After basic training, Theodore reported to the USAAF Flexible Gunnery School at Ft. Myers, Florida. He completed an intensive five-week training course in the use of large guns that arm American planes. He graduated and was promoted to sergeant on November 28, 1942. On March 13, 1943, he was assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron, 384th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force as a flexible (waist) gunner.  May 19, 1943, he went overseas from Kearney, Nebraska, Army Air Base, to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine, to “somewhere in England.” The 384th Bombardment Group was based in Grafton Underwood Army Air Forces Station 106, England, from 1942 to 1945.

From May 1943 until his final flight on August 12, 1943, S/Sgt. Paduch flew numerous combat missions.  On August 12, 1943 he was on a bomber mission over Geisenkirschen, Germany when his plane was shot down, crashing near Haus Oelgarten, Hennef, Germany.  Of the ten crew members aboard, six were killed. SSgt. Paduch was one of those lost.  His body was recovered by German troops and buried in Geistingen Cemetery, Field 27, Grave 36.  

In February 1944, Paul and Elizabeth Paduch were awarded the Air Medal for their son, SSgt. Theodore Paduch, at a ceremony at Rome Army Air Field. The citation read, in part: “For exceptionally meritorious achievement, while participating in five separate combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The courage, coolness, and skill displayed by this enlisted man reflect great courage upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.  

The USAAF 384th Bombardment Group Memorial Stone is located at Grafton Underwood, England. This roadside memorial stone and plinth is dedicated to 384th. Bombardment Group, United States of America 8th. Air Force. Plinth surmounted by stone of remembrance with inscriptions. In front of the memorial is a chain supported by four posts. Squadron crests & names are inscribed on plinth sides and posts. Motif of a B-17 bomber aircraft is beneath each inscription.  

SSgt. Paduch was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Rome Medal of Honor.  

On May 23, 1944, the Gold Star Mothers of World Wars I and II were entertained at a dinner given by the American Legion Auxiliary of Rome, New York. Mrs. Paul (Elizabeth) Paduch was among the seven mothers so honored. The Gold Star Mothers dinner of May 15, 1946, honored seventeen Gold Star Mothers and two Gold Star Wives. Mrs. Paul Paduch was present in honor of her son, Theodore.  

On May 26, 1944, a Memorial Day program was held at Rome Free Academy (RFA). Tribute was paid to the nine former RFA students who had died in service during World War II, including Theodore Paduch.

May 30, 1944, the citizens of Rome, New York, held their 76th Memorial Day service, remembering heroes from six wars. 15 gold-starred names are listed on a new service record in Bellamy Park, Rome, New York, including SSgt. Theodore Paduch.

On June 28, 1944, a memorial plaque was dedicated to the nine former Rome Free Academy students who have been killed in World War II. The Class of 1943 presented the plaque to the school. The list includes Theodore Paduch.  

SSgt. Theodore Paduch is remembered on page 110 of the World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel from New York, 1946. He is remembered on page 11165 of U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945. He is included on the Oneida County, New York, World War II Army and Air Force Honor List of Dead and Missing Personnel.  

In April 1949, a War Monument Committee was formed at All Saints Polish National Catholic Church to erect a monument to the memory of men of Polish descent who perished in World Wars I and II. The monument is located at All Saints Polish National Cemetery in Rome, New York, and was dedicated on May 29, 1949. Theodore’s father, Paul, and brother, Paul Jr., were members of the committee.

SSgt. Thedore Paduch’s body was returned to the United States on board the Haiti Victory, and then to Rome, New York, on June 14, 1949.  A procession of cars with family, friends, and forty veterans, led by a motorcycle patrolman, accompanied the body to his parents’ home at 304 South Jay Street in Rome. All of the city’s veterans groups were represented. The body lay in state at his parents’ home until Saturday, June 18, while awaiting the arrival of his brother, Casper, from California. Services were held at their home at 9 a.m. on Saturday and later at All Saints Polish National Catholic Church. Military rites were performed by Frank J. Steczko Post, Polish-American Veterans. Interment with full military honors was at All Saints Polish National Cemetery.  A firing squad from Oneida National Guard Company B fired three volleys over his grave.  

Paul Paduch, Sr., died December 12, 1958, at age 66, after a long illness. Elizabeth Paduch died at age 104 on March 9, 1990. Both are buried at All Saints Polish National Cemetery, along with SSgt. Theodore Paduch.

Theodore’s three brothers were also in military service during World War II. Casper entered the Army in September 1943. He was a graduate of Rome Free Academy, received a B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkley, in 1934, and later graduated from law school there. Paul, Jr., and Edward both served in the U.S. Marine Corps.  

End notes: This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars Project, a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3 web sites. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery. If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact hillerson@beyondbb.com.           

Supporting Documents

Below are the pages from the Missing Air Crew Report of his final flight.