Ted Novak was born in Macungie, PA (Lehigh County) on October 1, 1922, grew up in Linfield, PA (Montgomery) and was a longtime resident of Phoenixville, PA (Chester).

After graduating from Pottstown High School, he worked at the Kinsey Distillery after graduating high school and after his return from WWII.

In May 1943 at the age of 20, Ted was drafted into the US Army and did his basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. He would arrive on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France in late June 1944.

He was assigned to the 83rd Infantry Division, Company C, 331st Infantry Regiment, generally known as the “Thunderbolts”.

Ted participated in the following battles and campaigns:

· Normandy Campaign

· Campaign of Northern France

· Ardennes Campaign (also known as the Battle of the Bulge)

· Rhineland Campaign

· Campaign of Central Europe

On August 13, 1944, Ted was shot and severely wounded near la Rouxiere, France, he was awarded a Purple Heart.

On September 13, 1944, just two days after being discharged from the hospital, he received the Combat Infantry Badge for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy in France.

Ted would be shot again on October 14, 1944, receiving an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Purple Heart.

He would receive another Oak Leaf Cluster to his Purple Heart in April 1945 when his machine gun nest was hit by a German mortar shell killing one solider and severely injuring Ted and another solider near Golmbech, Germany. He would be in hospitals and spend time at the Oliver Army Hospital in Augusta, GA until October 1945 when he received his Honorable Discharge.

Private First Class Ted Novak received his Bronze Star for actions on Christmas Eve 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge near Schneidhausen, Germany. According to his Citation:

“ … While under fire from enemy artillery and mortar guns, Private Novak assisted the aid man in the evacuation to safety of ten men who had been hit by fragments from mortar and artillery shells. After assisting in administering first aid he then aided in the evacuation of the wounded by stretcher, cross country to an aid station in another town. His unselfish devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and his military service.”

When he returned home from the war, he became active in his community serving as president of the Linfield Athletic Committee that built baseball fields. Ted worked as a planner for Container Corporation of America for 34 years and was a longtime member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church.

In December 1949, Ted met Margaret “Peg” McBride of Phoenixville on a blind date. They married on October 7, 1950. They were married just shy of 69 years before Peg passed away in September 2019. They had three children, Gary husband of Gail Novak, Jeffrey husband of Marcie Novak, and Ellen wife of John Tiene and today Ted has five grandchildren, Christopher husband of Ester Novak, Patrick Novak, Thomas Novak, Caitlin Novak, and John husband of Lauren Tiene and three great grandchildren,

In May 2023, Ted participated in the commissioning and “First Salute” ceremony when his young friend, Peter Sandri, was commissioned of 2nd Lt in the Army after graduating from Norwich University and their ROCT program. It was a special day for Ted and Peter.

On December 26, 2023, by presidential decree Ted was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor in recognition of his contribution to France’s liberation during World War II. On March 18, 2024, at a ceremony at the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary, Ted was formally awarded the Legion of Honor by Caroline Monvoisin, Counsel General of France, Washington D.C.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 212 Dayton Street, Phoenixville, PA on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 11:00 am.

Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

A viewing will be held in the Devlin - Gatcha Funeral Home, 517 S. Main Street, Phoenixville, PA on Monday, March 16, 2026 from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 212 Dayton Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460.