DOB/DOD: May 11, 1924 (New York, NY) – February 23, 1945; 20 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Box 34, Hanover, CT
ENLISTMENT: July 30, 1942, in New London, Connecticut
SERVICE NUMBER: 442121
UNIT: Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0745, Rifleman
FAMILY: Born to Paul K. (1885-1973) and Kate (1885-1963) Ezepchik. Both parents were born in Minsk, Russia. Father Paul’s last name is spelled Jazepczyk on naturalization documents. Sisters Mary Ezepchik Serafin (1917-1976), and Sophie Ezepchik Shortoff (1918-1982). 1, 2 Worked for Angus Park Woolen Company in New London prior to joining the Marines. 4
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. Training with the 23rd Marines (Reinforced), 2nd Battalion, Company H at New River, North Carolina, in late 1942 and early 1943. In April 1943, rosters show he was given furlough prior to attending parachute school with the 4th Parachute Battalion, Company A, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California. His next assignment was the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marines, 1st Battalion, Headquarters Company at Camp Pendleton in January 1944, and then Company C in April 1944. 5 Died from gunshot wounds to the head and neck. 6 PFC Ezepchik was in the same company as PlSgt Oliver Ellsworth of Portland and GySgt George Hyland of Stamford. PFC Ezepchik and PlSgt Ellsworth were killed in action. GySgt Hyland died from complications with the wounds he received.
Honored on a plaque at Sprague War Memorial Park, 4 West Main Street, Sprague, Connecticut. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 3, Row 2, Grave 632. At his father’s request, remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in New Hanover Cemetery, 30 Potash Hill Road, Baltic, Connecticut; Section 12, Lot 141 6 (enter the North gate, where the road starts to turn in Section 12 and the lot). The last name is spelled incorrectly on the headstone. Should be “Ezepchik.” Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
1 – 1930 census https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/
2 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
3 – https://findagrave.com
4 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/
5 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/
6 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request