2013 Golden Valley Hall of Fame Inductee Chester Bird

The city of Golden Valley is inducting four citizens to the Golden Valley Hall of Fame, which honors those who have been affiliated with Golden Valley, made contributions to the community and become renown. The induction ceremony is 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 17, at Brookview Community Center.

Chester D. Ptaszek (pronounced pea-ot-zig) was one of thousands of Americans who sacrificed his life for his country in World War II. He was known by his nickname, Chester Bird, as Ptaszek is a Polish derivation of bird. 

Chester served in the US Army 29th Infantry, 115 Regiment, which was part of the first wave of more than 32,450 soldiers to storm Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, June 6, 1944. 

This was the very beach depicted in the now famous movie “Saving Private Ryan.” More than 2,000 soldiers were killed the first day alone, but 35-year-old Chester was not one of them. 

His regiment proceeded to northern France, where its first objective was an important submarine base at Brest. A fierce battle took place from July 27-29, and Bird was reported missing in action from July 29 until reported killed in action in France on August 1, 1944. It is believed he was laid to rest in southern France among thousands of other soldiers who gave their lives in this campaign. 

Chester's 115th Regiment continued into Belgium and later culminated its service in the capture of Germany. 

The American Legion chartered Post 523 in February 1946 and dedicated it to Private Chester D. Ptaszek, or Chester Bird, who served with honor and dedication and paid the ultimate price for to the freedom of our nation. Golden Valley thanks Chester Bird for his service and sacrifice to his country.

Golden Valley’s Hall of Fame program was developed in 2011 by a group of citizens known as Bridge Builders as part of the community’s 125th Anniversary celebration. With support from the City’s Envision Connection Project Board of Directors, it recently became an annual community event.

(Information provided by the city of Golden Valley.)

Correction made: The wrong time for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony was mistakenly posted in this story on Golden Valley Patch. We apologize for the error.