Michael Pohoreskey

Boonville-Michael Pohoreskey, 82, a resident of Egypt Road, for the past sixty years, a highly decorated veteran of WWII, and husband of Connie, passed away on Monday, March 31, 2008, at the Martin Luther Nursing Home in Clinton, NY. At the time of his passing, members of his loving family were with him. Michael was born in New York City on December 7, 1925, a son of Louis and Irene Kohut Pohoreskey. In March, 1944, he entered the U.S. Army, Sgt. Michael Pohoreskey served in the European Theater of WWII. While serving in Germany, during a nighttime reconnaissance mission he encountered German soldiers and due to running out of ammunition he yelled out in German, "Don't shoot I'm German!" Instead, Pohoreskey was caught by the German army, and committed to a German Concentration Prison Camp where he was interrogated and placed in a sewer for three days. Due to his ability to speak German, he was able to be employed in the prison kitchen. He escaped by hiding himself in a kitchen garbage can, (under vegetable waste,) and was then carried out of the camp in the can undetected. By night he returned to his U.S. Army Battalion, he then led the American army in the liberation of the German camp, thereby saving countless lives. After that he volunteered to drive an American fuel truck that was loaded with gasoline through enemy lines to supply U.S. General Patton's tanks with gasoline. He was stopped by German soldiers, but his ability to speak in German enabled him to complete the task. He was wounded in action while running through a line of German artillery fire thus saving the life of a wounded American superior officer. On June 6, 1944, he was in the invasion of Normandy as one of the thousands of American soldiers who stormed the Normandy Beach on D-Day. Germany, Stars and Stripes reports Sgt. Michael Pohoreskey, B.Co. 304 Reg. 76 Inf. Div. has received a Battle Field Commission 2 LT. and the Bronze Star, for knocking out three German tanks, and two machine gun nests, capturing many Germans. After the conclusion of WWII, Mr. Pohoreskey was a Military Police Officer during the Nuremburg Trials. On May 20, 1946, Michael Pohoreskey was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army receiving a Bronze Star Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp. Silver Cross, and Distinguished Citizen Award. While serving in the army, he also received his high school GED. After his military career, Mr. Pohoreskey, moved to his present home on the Egypt Rd. near where his grandfather had already settled. For a time after that, he was employed at Boonville Furniture Co. In 1956, he began employment at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, as a Federal Police Officer, and sharp shooter. He retired from Griffiss in 1989. He enjoyed the out doors, wood working, and was noted in this area for his type writer repair business. Mr. Pohoreskey was a member of Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W. # 5538 of Boonville. On June 26, 1952, in Manhattan, Michael was united in marriage with Connie Morales of New York City, a blessed union of 55 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons, and three daughters in law: Michael Pohoreskey, Jr., Georgia, Alexander Pohoreskey, and Wendy, North Carolina, Nelson Pohoreskey, and Debbie, Whitesboro, Elliott Pohoreskey, and Michelle, Boonville, two daughters and sons in law; Connie Hoover, and David, Patricia Alm, and Timothy, both of Boonville, nine grandchildren; Nicholas, Michelle, Jessica, Brittany, Samuel, Nathaniel, and Aleeah Pohoreskey, Nancy Hoover, and Lydia Walker, one brother, Peter, Boonville, and one sister, Louise, Playful, VT. He was predeceased by a brother, John. His family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, and to Lutheran Care in Clinton for the good care of our father. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a grave side funeral service on Friday, May 23, 2007, at 1:00 P.M. at Alder Creek Cemetery, where Rev. William A. Mudge, pastor of the Boonville United Methodist Church, will officiate. Military honors will follow with services provided by Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W., and Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, all of Boonville, and the New Hartford Color Guard, Post 1376.