Max Lebida

 
2nd Lt. Max Lebida, Inf., was killed in action in France, Aug. 5, 1944, while fighting with an armored infantry unit. He enlisted in the spring of 1942, won commission as 2nd Lt. at the Infantry School, Ft Benning, Ga., and was in England five months before going to France in mid-July, 1944.
An all-around athlete at Central Falls High School, his name went on the Providence journal Honor Roll for 1928 as the States outstanding athlete and student.
After a year at preparatory school, he entered Brown with the Class of 1933, played on the Class football and baseball teams, withdrew, and came back to enroll with the Class of 1934. He left college before graduation, and was laboratory foreman at Coats, Inc., thread manufacturers, Pawtucket, when he went into service. He was also doing advanced study in textile dyeing at Rhode Island School of Design. Born Kanna, Poland, June 21, 1909, the son of Joseph and Josephine (Slozek) Lebida. Married Ruth Crowell Mclntyre, Aug. 26, 1933. Mrs. Lebida, his parents, and a sister survive.
 
The Silver Star was awarded posthumously to Lieutenant Max Lebida, infantry, for gallantry in action in France August 5, 1944.
The citation reads "while leading a machinegun section of his platoon, which was under heavy fire, all members of the gun crew were wounded. He manned the machinegun and conducted its fire on the enemy until he was mortally wounded. His herioc tenaclly and devotion to duty at the price of his life reflects the finest tradition of the United States infantry man."
Lieutenant Lebida was a member of the 6th Armored Division. The award was received by his wife Mrs. Ruth C. Lebida of Central Falls.
 
source: 
Newport Mercury
(Newport, Rhode Island)
29 Dec 1944, Fri • Page 1
 
 

He wrote a letter to Ruth, his wife.

Somewhere in France
August 3, 1944

 ......

"We are seeing action right along now, but there is nothing to be worried about."

"Due to the fact that we are on the move, my letters will be more or less irregular, so keep calm and don't get the impression that i am flirting with the French women!"

"Speeking of the French, many of them are so glad to be rid of the Germans, they just line the roadside, throwing flowers at our forces and feeding the wine, cider, cognac,- whenever we make a halt. In fact, before I knew it, during one of the first days, two of my men got drunk and the first inkling I had of it was when one of them kept insisting on kissing the small babies and children being held up by their respective owners. I soon put a stop to that, but you can imagine the difullculty, for whenever we stop, there are always several people around with bottles!. Why even yesterday the men in one of my vehicles had eleven bottles of diverse drinks given to them, five of which were broken while we were riding. The thing that makes me mad is that most of the damn stuff is viegary which i don't like and nothing sweet which i might even have."

.......

"Don't know where (at this point, I was called away and now it is the next day). Had some more action yesterday, but none of my boys got hurt. In fact, we made out quite fine, though all of us were sweating the situation out."

"Right now we are lined up for another job so I'm making every minute count. Have already censored some mail and am finishing this right now."

"Incidentally, several French girls tried to kiss me yesterday (I refused) though i was even dirtier that when you saw me in Santa Barbara. "

Got to go again, So long.

I love you.

Max.

(thanks to The State Historical Society of Missouri)

 

Two days later he was killed in action.

Max Lebida's name is listed on Memorial de Lormeau.

 

 

Max Lebida

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

50th Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division

Entered the Service From: Rhode Island

Service #: O1314370

Date of Death: August 05, 1944

Buried: Plot H Row 13 Grave 16

Brittany American Cemetery

St. James, France

Awards: Purple Heart, Silver Star