Thomas V. Bohnyak enlisted in the Army on November 30, 1940. It was said in his obituary that he was the first boy in his hometown of Jamesburg, New Jersey to enlist. Second Lt. Bohnyak graduated from Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning Georgia in October 1942. He was then sent to various army camps to instruct and train his men. He was assigned to the 8th Infantry Division, 28th Infantry Regiment. In November the 8th Infantry Division arrived in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. On December 5, 1943 a convoy bearing the 8th Division sailed from New York to Belfast, Ireland. Ten days later the division arrived in Belfast, North Ireland, where a varied program of training was instigated, with emphasis being placed on small unit tactics. While there the division was inspected by General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George Patton. On July 1, 1944, a convoy of four troops ships and twelve motor transports steamed out of Belfast harbor, carrying the 8th Division to the continent of Europe. On July 4, twenty eight days after the D-Day invasion of the Normandy coast, the Division began debarking at Utah Beach on the Cherbourg peninsula. Two days later it had assembled in the vicinity of Monteburg, where final preparations for battle were completed. The 8th fought its way through France. Thomas Bohnyak lost his life at a battle near the Ay River on July 16, 1944. He is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Plot A Row 23 Grave 10. Lt. Thomas V. Bohnyak was awarded a Purple Heart. He was survived by his wife Honey Bohnyak and his son Taylor Thomas Bohnyak.