DOB/DOD: May 9, 1922 (New Haven, CT) – March 15, 1945; 22 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 181 St. John Street, New Haven
ENLISTMENT: June 24, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 861649
UNIT: Company G, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0504, 0636, and 0746 Browning Automatic Rifleman (BAR) gunner
FAMILY: Born to Deamondo “Diamond” (1898-1979) and Lillian Lenzi (1900-1987). Oldest of 4 children. Siblings are Margaret Lenzi Soertito (1923-2014), Eugene (1925-2006), and Adelyne Lenzi Carone (1928-2024). 1 Worked at High Standard Company, Waterfront Plant, New Haven, Connecticut, before joining the Marines. 2
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. He was then assigned to the Marine Corps Schools Training Battalion in Quantico, Virginia, in October 1943. In January 1944, he was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marines, 1st Battalion, Headquarters Company at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California. 5 Awarded the Silver Star Medal.
OTHER: Graduated from Staunton Military Academy, Class of 1943.
Citation to accompany the award of the Silver Star Medal 3
For action during World War II, U.S. Marine Corps, 5th Marine Division, Commander in Chief, Pacific, order number 34869, October 25, 1945.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph W. Lenzi (MCSN: 861649), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Automatic Rifleman, serving with Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 15 March 1945. Observing a group of Japanese troops approaching his company area from the rear, Private First Class Lenzi leaped from his foxhole in full view of the enemy to attack with his automatic weapon. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he engaged the outnumbering hostile group and succeeded in killing five of the enemy before he fell, mortally wounded. By his presence of mind, initiative, and indomitable fighting spirit, he alerted his comrades and enabled them to repulse the enemy, and his unwavering devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Lenzi and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
The namesake of Lenzi Park, 9 Jefferson Street, New Haven, Connecticut.
On a plaque in the park, it reads:
On this ground where once he tread
A vow was made, here’s what he said
“I’ll never shirk nor desert the fight
Till I know my Lord that all is right.” 6
Honored on the 11th Ward Veteran’s Memorial in Wooster Square Park, 562-548 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 7, Row 7, Grave 1850. At his mother’s request, his remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery, 280 Derby Avenue, West Haven, Connecticut; Section O, Lot 71 ½, Grave #4. 4Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
1 – 1930 census https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/
2 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/
3 – https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/42150
4 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
5 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/
6 – https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/memorial_day_lenzi_park_new_haven