Albert J. Yascavage Sr., Edwardsville, and formerly of Ross Township, Hunlock Creek, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2011, at The Veterans Administration Nursing Center, Plains Township. He was born on March 20, 1923, in Wilkes-Barre, and resided in the Fiddler's Green section of Plymouth Township during his early years. Albert attended Plymouth Borough schools, and was a graduate of the former Harter High School, West Nanticoke. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps during the late 1930s, and worked in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico. After returning to the Wyoming Valley, Albert enlisted in the U.S. Maritime Service on November 1, 1941, as a seaman second class, and received instruction as a radio operator at the Gallup's Island Training Facility near Boston, Mass. On October 26, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and completed basic training with the 83rd Infantry Division at Camp Atterbury, Ind. Albert was transferred shortly thereafter to the Second (Indianhead) "Second to None" Infantry Division, and fulfilled a course of training as a U.S. Army Ranger at Camp McCoy, Wis. He also received specialized instruction as a radio operator and communications specialist. After completion of training in the United States, Albert was dispatched to Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Tenby, Wales, in preparation for the Normandy Invasion. While in Northern Ireland, he played basketball with the Second Infantry Division team and was an all-star member. On June 6, 1944, D-Day, he landed on Omaha Beach and saw heavy combat action during the initial days of the campaign. He later fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was a combatant with the Second Infantry Division at Heartbreak Crossroads, Hill 192, and Elsenborn Ridge. During the Battle of the Bulge, Albert served as a radio operator under the command of General George S. Patton and suffered injury to his knee from an enemy shell explosion. After receiving medical attention at a field aid station, he immediately rejoined his unit and continued fighting in the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe campaigns. Albert participated in the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp with the Second Infantry Division and was present when the U.S. Army met Russian military forces at the Elbe River in Czechoslovakia. Shortly before the end of World War II, he served as an official Russian language translator for the intelligence branch of the U.S. Army. After returning to the United States, he was discharged on October 9, 1945, at Camp Swift, Texas, with the rank of technical sergeant, and settled once again in Plymouth. Albert became an electrician, and was one of the first television repair technicians in the Wyoming Valley. On June 24, 1948, he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and served as battalion communications chief with Headquarters Battery, 109th Field Artillery at the Kingston Armory. In the aftermath of the tragic train wreck on September 11, 1950, near West Lafayette, Ohio, which claimed the lives of 33 members of the 109th Field Artillery, Sgt. Yascavage was assigned to the ceremonial honor guard unit at the Kingston Armory. Albert was present when the funeral train bearing the caskets of the fallen heroes arrived at the Lehigh Valley Railroad depot on September 14, 1950. He was ordered to active duty with the 28th Infantry Division during the Korean War, and served as a communications instructor at Fort Sill, Okla., and Fort Bliss, Texas. While stationed in Texas, Albert was instrumental in establishing several radio training schools for the U.S. Army, and authored numerous instructional manuals. After many years of service to his country, he was honorably discharged from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard on February 1, 1959, with the rank of Master Sergeant. His military decorations include the Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasps and Two Loops, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Service Star, Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal, and Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, and an Honorable Service Lapel Button for World War II. Throughout the years, he owned and operated numerous electronic retail stores in the Wyoming Valley and was active in the amateur radio.Callsign W3UGD. Albert sold electronic goods at ham radio gatherings throughout the United States and was known professionally as "Surplus Al." Albert was the former editor and publisher of National Surplus Digest, Surplus News and Senior News and Health Update. He was a featured speaker on senior citizen issues at many senior centers throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Albert received recognition for his many years of military service by local newspapers, television stations and the chief of signal, U.S. Army Signal Corps, Fort Gordon, Ga. He was a member of the 28th Infantry Division Association, The Second Infantry Division Association, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He was past commander of a VFW post formerly located along Route 11, Plymouth Township. He was preceded in death by a son, William D. Yascavage. Albert is survived by his wife, the former Dolores Sorber, Edwardsville; a son, Albert Jr., Arlington, Va.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services , and interment with military honors, will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the 28th Infantry Division Association Scholarship Fund: c/o 28th Infantry Division Association, 1400 Calder St., Bldg. No. 3, Harrisburg, PA 17103-1297. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth.