Daughter discovers father's paratrooper legacy

Teresa Johnson always knew her father was a great dad, but she didn’t fully appreciate his military career until after his death.

Johnson’s father, Henry Klisiewicz, was a medic in the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion during World War II. He received a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts for his service.

Johnson, a Fayetteville native who now lives in Apex, said a framed set of her father’s medals sat on the fireplace mantle at her family’s home when she was growing up.

“I just thought everyone’s dad had medals,” she said.

Klisiewicz retired from the Army when Johnson was in second grade. He also served in Korea and Greece. He died in 2009 when he was 86 years old.

After he died, Johnson found a notebook that contained information about his military career. It included documents that outlined in detail what Klisiewicz did to earn the medals.

Klisiewicz fought in Operation Dragoon, which took place in southern France a little more than two months after D-Day. He received the Silver Star for his actions on Aug. 23, 1944.

Klisiewicz’s platoon came under heavy artillery and machine gun fire and was forced to withdraw, the medal citation said. He knew that enemy forces could overrun the soldiers’ position at any time, but still volunteered to stay behind with the wounded troops.

Under heavy fire, Klisiewicz treated soldiers and helped evacuate four of them to a safer area, according to the citation.

“Again exposing himself to enemy fire, he moved far in advance of his own troops and located an officer who was seriously wounded,” it said.

The officer couldn’t walk, so Klisiewicz carried him for more than 400 yards so he could be evacuated, the citation said.

Klisiewicz’s “courageous and prompt actions … resulted in the expeditious evacuation of his wounded comrades from the heavily shelled areas and prevented their possible capture or death,” it said.

Johnson said her father was close to the soldiers from the 509th. He often talked to them on the phone and attended reunions hosted by the unit’s association.

After Klisiewicz died, Johnson contacted the association. The members invited her to their gatherings and welcomed her, she said.

“They just brought me in and wrapped their arms around me,” she said. “They just brought me into the family.”

Johnson attended the 75th anniversary of Operation Dragoon in August. She wore her father’s Silver Star and told his story to the French, who have deep respect for the American forces who helped liberate their country. She was offered and accepted the opportunity to ride in a World War II era jeep during a parade.

“It blew my mind,” she said. “I was just in awe at the amount of gratitude.”

Johnson said she also developed a new appreciation for her country on the trip.

“People need to think about our history and what we’ve done,” she said.

Johnson said she’s glad that she’s learned more about her father’s military career.

“I understand the man he was so much better now,” she said. “I have a different kind of closeness with him. I know him better in death than I ever did in life, even though I knew him very well as a dad.”

Staff writer Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3572.