Who has been to the VFW Post 8185 here in Port Deposit and wondered, "Who is Jerry Skrivanek"?
Born in 1917, Jerry had 4 brothers and 1 sister. His father (Joseph) died in his home in Port Deposit when Jerry was 22. Just 3 years later, Jerry was a registrant drafted into the Army in April, 1942.
It was reported in September 1943 that his wife, Dorothy, had been informed Private Jerry Skrivanek was MIA since July 23.
On October 11, 1943, the Associated Press released the names of 236 US soldiers killed in action, including 5 Marylanders. One of those Marylanders was Jerry Skrivanek.
In November of that same year, Dorothy Skrivanek received the Purple Heart medal from the War Department for her husband who was killed in action in July in the North African area.
The remains of Pvt. Skrivanek finally returned home in July 1948 aboard the Army transport Caroll Victory, after having been interred temporarily in Italy.
He was the first Port Deposit man to lose his life in WWII and is laid to rest in Harmony Chapel Cemetery in Port Deposit. The Jerry Skrivanek VFW post 8185 maintains his grave.
Although Jerry Skrivanek was a Private, he earned the honor of the local VFW to be named in his honor not just because he was local, but also relatable. Each of the 44 charter members thought of Pvt. Skrivanek as an "Everyman".
Please help honor him by supporting his namesake VFW and grabbing a bite to eat or something to drink while you are there.