PRIVATE FIRST CLASS EDWIN HALE VOORHEES, JR.; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: July 13, 1926 (New Haven, CT) – March 12, 1945; 18 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Born in New Haven. Also lived in Lee, Florida, and High Point, North Carolina.
ENLISTMENT: October 18, 1943, in Washington, D.C.
SERVICE NUMBER: 519032UNIT: Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0746, Automatic Rifleman

FAMILY: Born to Edwin Sr. (1897-1959) and Marjorie E. Stone Voorhees (1905-1998). One brother, Robert S. (1930-). Father Edwin Sr. was a graduate of Yale University, Class of 1927. 1, 2

OTHER: Edwin Sr. was decorated by the 128th Division of the French Army on September 8, 1918 (Croix De Guerre) – the citation covers six days (August 17 to August 23) during the Aisne Offensive. He was gassed in Vouty, France, on July 13, 1918. In his WWI questionnaire after the war, he said, “that war is a horrible, inhuman, ungodly means to an end, and should be eliminated permanently if it can possible and honorably be done.”

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island in late 1943. Training at Ordnance School and Repair Depot, Quantico, Virginia, in early 1944. Assigned initially to the Fifth Replacement Draft, San Diego, and then his final assignment to the 4th Marine Division, 25th Marines, 2nd Battalion in early 1945. 4 Died from wounds to the head. 3

Contributed by Judy Grabar, 1st cousin of Private Voorhees.

Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 1, Row 34, Grave 1696. At his father’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried on June 17, 1948, in Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Drive, Arlington, Virginia; Section 12, Grave 3905. 3Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://ancestry.com
3 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
4 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RICHARD HORST VON EGIDY; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: September 16, 1925 (Radebeul, Germany) – March 3, 1945; 19 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 232 Silver Hill Lane, Stamford
ENLISTMENT: November 4, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts 4
SERVICE NUMBER: 906936
UNIT: Company F, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0504, Ammunition Handler

FAMILY: Born to Horst Louis Otto (1898-1973) and Anna Martha Suzannah “Inge” Kretschmar VonEgidy (1903-1984). Horst was born in Dresden, Germany, and Anna in Loschwitz, Germany. Richard was their only child.

OTHER: The family came to the United States on October 21, 1927, on the SS Albert Ballin from Hamburg, Germany, with his mother. Father became a naturalized citizen on January 2, 1935. 1, 2 Richard worked part-time at Magazine Photo-Engraving Corporation in Stamford prior to the service. 6 He also worked at Brown and Locat in Norwalk when he registered for the draft in September 1943. 3 In 1942, Richard’s Uncle Walter VonEgidy bought a farm in Woodstock, Connecticut, so that the family could grow their own food as needed. Walter was a youngster in Germany during WWI and told us of the hunger and hardship endured.  Richard, along with Walter’s wife and children, was moved to the farm in Woodstock, and that is when Richard attended Woodstock Academy and worked at the farm. 6

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in late 1943 and early 1944. Training typically follows, but no record of that in the USMC Muster Rolls. He was assigned to his final unit, 5th Marine Division, 26th Marines, 2nd Battalion, in mid to late 1944. 5 Died from a gunshot wound to the chest. 4

Photos contributed by Angie VonEgidy.

From the Connecticut Military Portrait Collection, Connecticut State Library, Identifier: PG570. Used with permission.

From The Stamford Advocate April 26, 1944

Marine Private Richard Von Egidy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horst Von Egidy, 232 Silver Hill Lane, is now in training with the Marine Infantry troops at Camp Pendleton, California. The 18-year-old leatherneck, who joined the Marine Corps in October 1943, earned the marksmanship medal for rifle and the basic bayonet medal while in boot training at Parris Island, South Carolina. He underwent further training in the artillery at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before being shifted to California.

Private Von Egidy attended Stamford High School and later studied methods of combating forest fires in Northern Connecticut. He worked on a farm previous to entering the Marine Corps. He was formerly a member of the Sea Scouts and the Walther League of the Zion Lutheran Church.

From The Stamford Advocate March 14, 1945

STAMFORD MEN WRITE FROM IWO JIMA
News of two more Stamford boys who fought on Iwo Jima has reached their families.

Mr. and Mrs. Horst Von Egidy, 215 Knickerbocker Avenue, received a V-mail letter from their son, Private First Class Richard Von Egidy, fighting with the Marine Fifth Division on Iwo. He said that he was still at the firing front and was in good health. This was the first word received by his parents in six weeks.

Seaman First Class Joseph N. Shawinsky, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shawinsky, 157 Frederick Street, wrote that he is safe and well. He is a SeaBee attached to the Fourth Marine Division. WEBMASTER NOTE: Joseph Shawinsky survived the war and died in 2010 in Stamford, Connecticut.

From The Stamford Daily Advocate March 27, 1945

Private First Class Richard Von Egidy, USMC, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horst Von Egidy, 215 Knickerbocker Avenue, Springdale, was killed in action on Iwo Jima, The War Department disclosed in a telegram to his parents. PFC Von Egidy, who fought with the Marine Fifth Division, was among the first Stamford Marines to send word home from the Iwo battle zone. A former student at Stamford High School, he worked on a farm before entering the Marine Corps in October 1943. He was formerly a member of the Sea Scouts and the Walther League of Zion Lutheran Church. Besides his parents, PFC Von Egidy is survived by an uncle, Walter Von Egidy.

From an unknown newspaper dated April 4, 1945. Contributed by Angie Von Egidy.

FORMER STUDENT AT WOODSTOCK ACADEMY DIES ON IWO JIMA

Private Richard Von Egidy, 19, who attended Woodstock Academy during the time that he worked on the farm of his uncle, Walter VonEgidy of West Woodstock, and Stamford, in West Woodstock until his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps in 1943, was one of the many leathernecks who made the supreme sacrifice in the bitter fighting on Iwo Jima, according to War Departement notification received by his parents in Stamford and relayed to relatives in this part of the state. Prior to his student days at Woodstock Academy, he had attended Stamford High School. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Horst Von Egidy of 215 Knickerbocker Avenue, Springdale, a Stamford suburb. He was prominent in the Sea Scouts and was a member of the Walter League of Zion Lutheran Church, Stamford. While a West Woodstock resident, he took a keen interest in community religious and civic activities. He was serving with the Fifth Marine Division when killed, an outfit that covered itself with distinction in the Iwo Jima drive.

From an unknown newspaper on an unknown date. Contributed by Angie Von Egidy.

WAR DEAD RETURNED

Three Fairfield County war dead are included among the bodies of 36 Connecticut residents who lost their lives in World War II and were returned to the United States from the Pacific area aboard the United States Army transport, Delton Victory, the Department of the Army announced yesterday. Armed forces dead and their next of kin in the county are as follows: Edward V. Andrisco, Aviation Ordnance Mate 3rd Class; Stephen Andrisco Sr., 293 Weber Street, Stratford, Private First Class Frank W. O’Hearn Jr., Frank W. O’Hearn Sr., RFD 3, Candlewood Isle, Danbury, and PFC Richard H. VonEgidy, Horst L.O. Von Egidy, 92 Grove Street Stamford.

From an unknown newspaper on an unknown date. Contributed by Angie Von Egidy.

MARINE VON EGIDY ON FUNERAL SHIP FROM THE PACIFIC

The body of Private First Class Richard Von Egidy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horst Von Egidy of 92 Grove Street, is among the 2,554 American World War II dead being returned to the United States from the Pacific area aboard the U.S. Army Transport Dalton Victory, it was learned today. Private First Class Von Egidy, A Marine, was killed in action on Iwo Jima in March 1945. He was 19 years old at the time of his death. A member of the Marine Fifth Division, PFC Von Egidy was among the first Stamford Marines to send word home from the Iwo battle zone. He attended Stamford High School and worked on a farm before he entered the Marine Corps in October 1943. He was a member of the Sea Scouts and the Walther League of Zion Lutheran Church. PFC Von Egidy received his Marine training at Parris Island, SC, Camp Lejeune, NC, and Camp Pendleton, California. Besides his parents, PFC Von Egidy is survived by an uncle, Walter Von Egidy of Stamford.

From an unknown newspaper on an unknown date. Contributed by Angie Von Egidy.

FUNERAL RITES TODAY AT LUTHERAN CHURCH FOR PFC VON EGIDY

A military funeral was held this afternoon for PFC Richard H. VonEgidy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horst VonEgidy of 92 Grove Street, who was killed in action on Iwo Jima on March 3, 1945. The service, attended by a delegation of Marines, took place at Zion Lutheran Church. The Reverend A.W. Clausing officiated. Interment was in Fairfield Memorial Park.

Memorialized on the Stamford Veterans Memorial, 138 Atlantic Street, Stamford, Connecticut. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.

Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 5, Row 6, Grave 1105. At his father’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried on December 21, 1948, in Fairfield Memorial Park, 230 Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut; Rosewood Section, Plot #91, Grave #5. 4Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://ancestry.com
3 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238
4 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
5 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/
6 – E-mail from Angie VonEgidy on March 17, 2022.

FIELD MUSICIAN FIRST CLASS HENRY ARTHUR TYLER, JR.; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: April 17, 1925 (Ellington, CT) – March 17, 1945; 20 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 41 Harrison Street, Hartford
ENLISTMENT: February 17, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 527197
UNIT: Weapons Company, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0803, Field Musician

FAMILY: Born to Henry (1901-1964) and Sophie “Sadie” (Saidak) Tyler (1905-1955). Oldest of five children. Siblings are Robert (1926-2002), Catherine Tyler Ricciardi (1928-1989), Lorraine Tyler Spady (1928-), and Mary Jean Tyler Vignone (1930-2007). 1

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 28th Marines, Weapons Company in October 1944. Died from a gunshot wound to the head. 3

Photo from FindAGrave.com. 2

From The Hartford Courant May 11, 1945

A memorial mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 AM at St. Justin’s Church for Henry A. Tyler Jr., 20, a field musician with the Marine Corps. He died recently of wounds received on Iwo Jima, his first combat assignment, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Tyler, 41 Harrison Street.

Tyler attended Northwest Junior High School and was employed by the Sun Oil Company prior to entering the service on May 12, 1943. He had volunteered for Marine Corps duty on December 6, 1942, when he was 17 years old. Following his training at Parris Island, South Carolina, New River, North Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California, he was sent overseas last September and was stationed in Hawaii for a time.

Besides his parents, he leaves a brother, Seaman Second Class Robert L. Tyler, stationed at Newport, Rhode Island; and three sisters, Catherine, Lorraine, and Mary Jean Tyler, all of Hartford; and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Saidak of Ellington; and several uncles.

From The Hartford Courant January 18, 1949

The body of Henry A. Tyler Jr., 20, a Marine Corps Field musician who was killed on Iwo Jima March 17, 1945, will arrive in Hartford Wednesday. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Tyler of 41 Harrison Street. Funeral services will be held at the Ahern Funeral Home, 180 Farmington Avenue, on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. with a solemn requiem mass at St. Justin’s Church at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Soldier’s Field, Wilson. Tyler enlisted in the Marine Corps on December 6, 1942, at the age of 17, and was called to active duty on May 12, 1943. He received his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and went to New River, North Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California, for further training. He went overseas in September of 1943. He attended Northwest Junior High School and had been employed by the Sun Oil Company before entering the Corps. Besides his parents, he leaves a brother, Robert L. Tyler of Hartford; three sisters, Catherin Tyler, Lorraine Tyler, and Mary Jean Tyler, all of Hartford; and his grandmothers, Mrs. Olin Tyler of Hartford and Mrs. Andrew Saidak of Ellington. Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 6, Grave 1825, Plot 7. Repatriated and buried on January 20, 1949, in Northwood Cemetery, 81 Matianuck Avenue, Windsor, Connecticut; Section AA, Lot 45. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.

Private Evleth and PFC Pennington are buried next to each other. The headstones for all four who died in the Battle of Iwo Jima and are buried in Northwood Cemetery are near each other.

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/
3 – USMC Casualty Card received via FOIA request

PRIVATE MARVIN DUVAL TINKER; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: June 13, 1926 (New London, CT) – March 11, 1945; 18 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: West Main Street, Niantic
ENLISTMENT: July 3, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut
SERVICE NUMBER: 987766
UNIT: 34th Replacement Draft, 3rd Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 521, Basic Marine

FAMILY: Born to Charles M. (1899-1962) and Altha B. Sheflott Tinker (1899-1966). Third oldest of four children. Siblings are Harriet (1921-1990), Charles Jr. (1923-2011), and Norma E. Tinker Mitchell (1934-). 1 Cousin, Staff Sergeant John R. Tinker, was also killed in action in WWII.

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Summer of 1944. Infantry training in the Fall of 1944 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in the Fall of 1944. Assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, 34th Replacement Draft in early 1945. 5 The nature and manner of how he was killed in action is unknown. In the Marine Corps for 8 months total. Private Tinker and Private Odell Doyon of Griswold, Connecticut, were in the same unit, and they died a day apart.

Chapman Technical High School, New London, Class of ’44 2

Chapman Technical High School Football Team

From the Connecticut Military Portrait Collection, Connecticut State Library, Identifier: PG570; used with permission

Honored at the East Lyme Veterans Memorial, 224 Main Street, Niantic, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

Honored on the New London War Memorial, 154 Broad Street, New London, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

Initially interred in the 3rd Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 25, Grave 605. At his father’s request, he was repatriated and buried on February 15, 1949, 4 in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), 2177 Puowaina Dr, Honolulu, Hawaii; Section N, Site 323; photo from Ancestry.com. 3

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://classmates.com
3 – https://ancestry.com
4 – https://www.interment.net
5 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
6 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RAYMOND DWIGHT THOMPSON; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: June 21, 1925 (Greenville, ME) – February 19, 1945; 19 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 201 Center Street, Bristol
ENLISTMENT: February 16, 1943, in Augusta, Maine
SERVICE NUMBER: 527716
UNIT: Joint Assault Signal Company, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0641, Telephoneman

FAMILY: Born to Earl E. (1894-1934) and Pearl Shesong Thompson (1900-1984). Youngest of three children. Siblings are Elizabeth Thompson Sawyer (1922-2014), and Earle (1920-2016). Raymond’s father passed when he was 9 years old. 1

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Spring of 1943. Following boot camp, it was on to Antiaircraft Artillery School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In the Summer of 1943, assigned to the 25th Replacement Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In early 1944, assigned to the 5th Marine Division, First Defense Battalion, Special Weapons Group. In January 1945, assigned to the 1st Joint Assault Signal Company. 4 The nature of his wounds and death is unknown.

Photo contributed by Candy Stone, great-niece of PFC Thompson.

Honored on the Bristol (CT) World War II – Korean War Monument, 495 South Street, Bristol, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 1, Row 5, Grave 217. At his mother’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried on March 16, 1949, in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), 2177 Puowaina Dr, Honolulu, Hawaii; Section N, Site 581. 3 Photo from Ancestry.com 2

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://ancestry.com
3 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
4 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/

PRIVATE EDWARD MARSHALL TERREAU; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: August 26, 1923 (Waterbury, CT) – March 8, 1945; 21 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Mary O’Brien Terreau (1929-1987) on June 17, 1944, in Torrington, Connecticut
LOCAL ADDRESS: Harwinton section of Torrington
ENLISTMENT: March 28, 1944, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 962667
UNIT: Company B, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0745, Rifleman

FAMILY: Born to Canadian-born Omer (1877-1943) and Mildred Costello Terreau (1898-1986). Oldest of three children. Two sisters, Shirley Terreau O’Brien (1925-2020) and Mary Terreau Barden Pompa (1930-1987). 1 Worked for Handey Machine Company in Torrington before the service. 2

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. By October 1944, he was permanently assigned to his final unit, the 4th Marine Division, 24th Marines, 1st Battalion. 4 Died from a gunshot wound to the head. 3 PFC Terreau and PFC Joseph Martel of Willimantic, Connecticut, were in the same company. They died 13 days apart.

Photos were contributed by Judy Czapor, niece of Private Terreau.

Edward Terreau and Mary O’Brien.

Edward Terreau and Mary O’Brien wedding photo.

Edward and Mary are on the left, and Shirley Terreau and Vincent O’Brien (Judy Czapor’s parents) are on the right. It was a double wedding!

Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 27, Plot 1, Grave 1346. At his mother’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried on January 12, 1949, in Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Avenue, East Farmingdale, New York; Section J, Plot 15917. 3Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238
3 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
4 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/
5 – CT marriage records: https://www.ctatatelibrarydata.org/marriage-records/

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HENRY SULESKI; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: November 25, 1925 (Somersville, CT) – March 7, 1945; 19 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Reeney Lane, Somers, Connecticut
ENLISTMENT: October 18, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts, at 17 years old
SERVICE NUMBER: 556605
UNIT: Company H, 3rd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0745, Rifleman; and 0746, Automatic Rifleman

FAMILY: Born to Adam (1894-1969) and Michalina Grazewski Suleski (1893-1980), both born in Poland. One brother, Dominic (1924-2001). 1

CIRCUMSTANCES Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, from late 1943 to early 1944. Assigned to the Special Weapons Group, Base Artillery Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in January 1944. In April 1944, assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 28th Marines, 3rd Battalion through the Battle of Iwo Jima. 4 Died from a gunshot wound to the head. 3

From Patch.com, November 11, 2018 2

Honored on the Somers Memorial Honor Roll, 27 Battle Street, Somers, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 5, Row 9, Grave 1170. At his mother’s request, his remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, 46 Park Street, Hazardville, Connecticut; plot number unknown. 3Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://patch.com/connecticut/enfield/area-readers-share-their-favorite-veterans
3 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
4 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/

CORPORAL WILLIAM ROBERT STOLZENBERG; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: September 1, 1918 (Danbury, CT) – February 19, 1945; 26 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 27 Center Street, Danbury
ENLISTMENT: November 12, 1942, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 460414
UNIT: Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 745, Rifleman; and 737, Fire Team Leader

FAMILY: Born to George Bernard Stolzenberg, who passed 6 weeks after William was born, on October 13, 1918. Mother is Frances Mahon Stolzenberg (1895-1959). 1 In the 1920 census, at 1 year and 4 months old, he is listed at 80 Liberty Street with an aunt, Ellen Mahon (1851-1934), and her daughter, Helen Mahon (1892-1972). Worked for B.J. Dolan in Bethel prior to the service. 2

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, from late 1942 through early 1943. Assigned to the Reserve Officers’ Class, Quantico, Virginia, as “Maintenance” in Spring through Fall 1943. In January 1944, assigned to the 5th Marine Division, Headquarters Company, and eventually the 5th Marine Division, 27th Marines, 1st Battalion in the Spring of 1944. 5 Circumstances of his death are unknown.

Photo from The Purple Heart Museum’s Roll of Honor

Memorialized in Rogers Park Memorial Field, 1 Memorial Drive, Danbury, Connecticut. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.

Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 2, Row 9, Grave 461. At his mother’s request, his remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery, 79 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury, Connecticut; Section 9, Lot 110. 4Photos by Jeff DeWitt.

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238
3 – https://www.thepurpleheart.com/roll-of-honor/
4 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
5 – USMC Muster Rolls
6 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/

GUNNERY SERGEANT WALTER STANKOWICH; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: August 12, 1916 (New London, CT) – March 11, 1945; 28 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Pequot Road, Montville
ENLISTMENT: November 27, 1940, in New London, Connecticut
SERVICE NUMBER: 302212
UNIT: Company K, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: Many, however, in the 25th Marines, he was a 0651 Platoon Sergeant and a 0737 Fire Team Leader

FAMILY: Born to Jacob (1878-1950) and Grafenio “Graffina” Shumenha Stankowich (1882-1958), both born in Poland. Second oldest of seven children. Siblings are Michael (1910-1968), Pauline Olga Stankowich Jelly (1914-2007), Mary Stankowich Degutis (1919-2008), Alexandra “Alice” Stankowich Smith (1920-1983), John (1924-1944 [KIA in WWII]), Helen Stankowich Hart (1927-2011).

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in late 1940. He was assigned to Quantico, Virginia, as a carpenter from the Spring of 1941 to the Summer of 1942, when he was transferred to the 15th Provisional Marine Company at Quantico, Virginia, through the Summer of 1943 as a Police Sergeant. His final assignment to the 4th Marine Division, 25th Marines, 3rd Battalion, took place in the fall of 1943. 2 GySgt Stankowich and 2d Lt Herbert Wildman of Stamford were in the same company. They died 20 days apart. Wounded on February 25, 1945, and went back into the action.

From The Evening Day (New London, CT) November 19, 1948

BODIES OF MONTVILLE BROTHERS KILLED IN WAR RETURN FOR BURIAL

The bodies of Gunnery Sergeant Walter Stankowich, Marines, and Private John Stankowich, Army, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Stankowich of Montville, arrived at Union station today at 12:35 p.m. Meeting the train were relatives, friends, a delegation from the Robert O. Fletcher Post, American Legion, of Norwich, and the staff of Labenski Funeral Home, also of Norwich. A double funeral will take place tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, and interment will be in the family plot in St. Nicholas Cemetery, both at Norwich. The Norwich Legion Post is in charge of burial arrangements.

Sergeant Stankowich was born in this city on August 12, 1916, and moved to Montville at the age of five. He attended Palmer Memorial School in that town and was employed by Savin Construction Company before entering the service on November 27, 1940. He received his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, Green River, North Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California. Serving with the fourth division, the Marine Sergeant was overseas for 14 months before being killed on Iwo Jima on March 11, 1945. He took part in five invasions and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously, the Purple Heart Medal with a Gold Star in lieu of a second Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation with a star in lieu of a second award, and the Asiatic-Pacific area campaign medal with five stars. The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to the sergeant’s parents by Captain C.E. McParlin Jr., former commanding officer of the Marine Detachment at the Submarine Base, for “heroic achievement while serving with Company K, Third Battalion, 25th Marines, Fourth Marine Division on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands.” His unit received the Presidential citation for the invasion of Saipan. He had expected to come home on furlough after the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Private Stankowich, who was killed in action in Italy on May 12, 1944, four days before his 21st birthday, was born in Montville on May 16, 1923. He was a graduate of Palmer Memorial School there and completed three years at Chapman Technical High School here. Before entering the service on February 12, 1943, he was employed by Connecticut Light and Power Company at its plant in Montville. After six months of training at Camp Howze, Texas, he was sent overseas to Africa for further training, then was sent to Italy, where he met his death in a major drive. Besides their parents, the two brothers leave four sisters, Mrs. Mary Degutis of Waterford, Mrs. Alice Smith of Groton, Mrs. Pauline Jelty, and Miss Helen Stankowich of Montville; one brother, Michael Stankowich, also of Montville, and three nieces and one nephew.

Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Grave 1660, Row 34, Plot 1. Repatriated and buried on November 20, 1948, in St. Nicholas Russian Cemetery, 64 Orchard Lane, Norwich, Connecticut (behind Mahan School); plot number unknown. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.

He was buried next to his brother, who died 10 months before him, in Italy.

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS EDWARD FRANK SPARKOWSKI; MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: March 6, 1924 (New Britain, CT) – February 20, 1945; 20 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 65 Black Rock Avenue, New Britain
ENLISTMENT: May 21, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 871475
UNIT: Company G, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0522, Guard

FAMILY: Born to Frank (1876-1959) and Marjanna “Mary” Kopchinski Sparkowski (1887-1982), both born in Poland. The third youngest of ten children. Siblings are Pauline Sparkowski Anderson (1907-1994), John (1913-2002), Frances Sparkowski Lyga (1916-2005), Helen Sparkowski Hodneski (1918-2013), Jane Sparkowski Ahern (1920-1991), Leonard (1922-1982), Eleanor Sparkowski Romano (1927-2007), and James (1931-2018). 1 Worked at Fafnir Bearing Company in New Britain prior to the service. 2

CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the summer of 1943. Stationed at the Marine Barracks, Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, from late 1943 through Spring of 1944. He was then assigned to the Fifth Replacement Draft, San Diego, California, then on to his final unit, the 4th Marine Division, 25th Marines, 2nd Battalion, Company G. 3 Killed in action from multiple wounds on his right side. 2 PFC Sparkowski was in the same company as PFC Joseph Gearhart of Amston. They died a week apart.

Photo contributed by Karen Stzaba

From the New Britain Herald dated May 10, 1948; contributed by Danielle from the New Britain Public Library, Local History Room, 20 High Street, New Britain, Connecticut.

SHIP BRINGING HOME SPARKOWSKI’S BODY
Marine, Killed in Combat, Among War Dead Soon to Reach United States

Remains of 1,941 Americans who lost their lives during World War II are being brought back to the United States from the Pacific Islands aboard the U.S. Army Transport Albert M. Boe, the Department of the Army announced today. Among them is the body of Private First Class Edward F. Sparkowski, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sparkowski of 65 Black Rock Avenue. The remains of 33 other Connecticut men are on board. PFC Sparkowski was killed in action on Iwo Jima on February 20, 1945, while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was 21 years old. He was inducted into service in June 1943 and served at Parris Island, New London, and in California before being transferred to Honolulu. He was then assigned to the units which invaded Iwo Jima. PFC Sparkowski was born here and attended local schools and the New Britain Senior High School. He was employed by the Tuttle & Bailey Company when he left for service. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church.

Honored on the New Britain Veterans Memorial at the corner of Main and West Main Street, 27 West Main Street, New Britain. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 1, Row 15, Grave 713. At his father’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery, 665 Burritt Street, New Britain, Connecticut; Section C, Row 20, Lot 357, Grave 7. 2Photo by Jeff DeWitt.

1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
3 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/