Helfrich, Joseph Bowen, Jr.

Joseph B. Helfrich, Jr. was born on May 28, 1922 in Pleasantville, N.Y. where Joe grew up and attended Pleasantville High School, graduating in 1940.
He volunteered for the American Field Service in 1943, receiving a Purple Heart after being wounded at Monte Cassino, Italy in 1944.
In 1945 he married his wife of 67 years, Evelyn M. Helfrich (1923-2013). They had three children.
Joe Helfrich was in a family appliance business in Pleasantville for many years before becoming a Purchasing Agent for Atlantic County in New Jersey for 17 years until retirement in 1989.

Joseph B. Helfrich Jr. of Mays Landing, passed away surrounded by his family on February 9, 2014 at age 91.

Joseph B. Helfrich, Jr. was evacuating a patient when an 88 mm. shell landed near his ambulance, badly puncturing the vehicle and instantly killing the patient. One piece of shrapnel penetrated Helfrich's overseas cap, but despite his injury Helfrich drove his ambulance to its destination. He was then evacuated to a hospital and is expected to be discharged after a short period of recuperation.

AFS Letters No. 23, March 1944 - WOUNDED IN ACTION