Bronislaus Dominic “Brownie” Soltys was born on July 9, 1920, in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jan "John" Soltys and Josefa "Josephine" Zdun Soltys. Before entering military service, he worked for Collins & Aikman, Plant D, in Manayunk. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 26, 1942, and was assigned to Company A, 179th Engineer Combat Battalion, where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. After deploying overseas on June 23, 1944, he participated in the Allied campaign across France.

On August 23, 1944, during the assault crossing of the Seine River near Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry, France, Soltys was killed in action when a German 88-mm artillery shell struck his unit's half-track. His company was supporting the 7th Armored Division as combat engineers worked to establish crossings after German forces had destroyed the bridges spanning the Seine. Military records indicate that he sustained a fatal gunshot or missile wound to the abdomen during the engagement. He is now buried in the Westminster Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com