DOB/DOD: May 13, 1922 (Bridgeport, CT) – February 19, 1945; 22 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 137 Helen Street, Bridgeport
ENLISTMENT: September 18, 1942, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 459769
UNIT: Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0821, Quartermaster Supply Man
FAMILY: Born to Joseph (1887-1962) and Elizabeth Yakupco (1894-1960), both born in Czechoslovakia. One sister, Sister Celesia “Celeste” Yakupco (1917-2007), was a nun. 1 Worked at Remington Arms Co. in Bridgeport prior to the service. 4
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp in the Fall of 1942 at Parris Island, South Carolina. Quartermaster School at Camp Lejeune in early 1943, then assigned to the 23rd Marines (Reinforced) H & S Company in the Spring of 1943. Summer of 1943, through the Battle of Iwo Jima, he was with the 25th Marines (Reinforced), 1st Battalion, Headquarters Company as a clerk in the Quartermaster’s Office. 4 Participated in the battles of Roi-Namur, Saipan, and Tinian in 1944. Struck by shrapnel from a mortar shell in the chest. 3 A letter received from this commander stated, “he was struck by shrapnel from an enemy mortar shell when he had been on the beach only a very short time.”
Boot camp photo contributed by Pat Brannin.
Letter contributed by family member Pat Brannin, which shows Corporal Yakupco’s desire for sea duty. It speaks to his character and desire to be a great Marine.
The telegram received by the family. Contributed by Pat Brannin.
Letter received by the family. Contributed by Pat Brannin.
Headquarters 25th Marines
c/o F.P.O. San Francisco, Cal.
24 March 1945
My dear Mrs. Yakupco,
It is with the deepest regret that I extend to you my most heartfelt sympathy for the recent death of your son, John. I know there is little I can say to comfort your great loss, but I should like you to know that the officers and men who served with him mourn with you.
Your son served with us every time the sergeant was formed. He was a Corporal attached to our quartermaster section and was in charge of our equipment and supplies. His was an important job, which was always well done. His devotion to duty made him an outstanding member of the company.
John was killed on 19 Feb 1945 on the island of Iwo Jima in an assault against an enemy. He was struck by shrapnel from an enemy mortar shell when he had been on the beach only a very short time. He was buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo and was given a Christian burial. I visited the cemetery before leaving the island and found all of the graves were individuals and had appropriate markers.
Your son’s personal effects will be sent to you at an early date, but do not expect them for at least three months.
You will be proud to know that John was a good man and a fine Marine.
Sincerely Yours,
Monroe R. Davis, 1st Lt
Commanding
Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 1, Row 4, Grave 180. At his father’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried on April 15, 1948, in St. Michael’s Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Avenue, Stratford, Connecticut; Section 6, Lot 100X, Grave 1. 3First photo from FindAGrave.com. 2nd photo by Jeff DeWitt.
1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://ancestry.com
3 – https://www.thepurpleheart.com/roll-of-honor/profile/default?rID=1c65593b-a8c6-4b76-93e7-8d4fc9628e36
4 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238
5 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/