DOB/DOD: January 3, 1925 (Thompsonville, CT) – March 3, 1945; 20 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 12 North Street, Thompsonville
ENLISTMENT: December 30, 1942, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 527073
UNIT: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0745, Rifleman; and 0746, Automatic Rifleman
FAMILY: Born to Polish-born Joseph Milkowski (1886-1945; died 6 months after Henry was killed) and Sophie Milkowski (1892-1968). One brother, Michael (1914-1997). 1, 2
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in early 1943. Assigned to the Parachute School at Camp Lejeune, New River, North Carolina, then the 4th Para Battalion, Headquarters Company at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, in the summer of 1943. Assigned to the Parachute Training School, Parachute Replacement Company, Camp Gillespie, San Diego, California, in October 1943. April 1944 saw him transferred to the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marines, 2nd Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California. 4 Died from a gunshot wound to the head. 3
From 1939 Higgins Junior High School, Thompsonville, CT
Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 7, Row 3, Grave 1779. At his mother’s request, remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, 723 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut; unknown plot number. 4Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61195/images/007765411_00618?pId=351952
3 – USMC casualty report received via FOIA request
4 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/