DOB/DOD: October 7, 1926 (Kearney, PA) – March 8, 1945; 18 years old MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried LOCAL ADDRESS: 67 Forest Street, Unionville ENLISTMENT: February 2, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts SERVICE NUMBER: 527135 UNIT: Company I, 3rd Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0522, Guard; 0745, Rifleman; and 0746, Automatic Rifleman
FAMILY: Born to Czechoslovakian-born Paul Matava (1887-1965) and Mary Valigursky Matava (1896-1990). Half-siblings are Margaret Matava Bye (1910-1989), Mary Matava Volovski (1913-1990), and Suzanne Matava Martin (1915-2013). Siblings are Rosalie “Rose” Matava Gorgen (1920-1999), Robert [USMC veteran of battles at Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and Guam] (1921-2011), Elizabeth Matava Lusis (1924-2015), Irene Matava Bachman (1931-2022), Paul “Jerry” (1933-2023), Thomas (1935-2000). 1 PFC Matava was in the same company as PFC Walter Sokoli of Seymour, CT, and PFC Frank Souza Jr. of Bridgeport. PFCs Sokoli and Souza died the same day, and PFC Matava 12 days later.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in early 1943. Served at the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hastings, Massachusetts; Naval Ammunition Depot in Hingham, Massachusetts; Naval Ammunition Depot in Harthorne, Nevada, and back to the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hingham, MA in the Spring of 1944. Served with the 3rd Marine Division, 21st Marines, 3rd Battalion in October 1944 after infantry training in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Transferred to the 4th Marine Division, 30th Replacement Draft in January 1945. 3 Died from a gunshot wound to the chest. 2
Photo contributed by RJ Matava, a great nephew.
Honored on the Unionville Veterans Memorial, 40 Lovely Street, Unionville, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
Honored on the Farmington Veterans Memorial, 1 Monteith Drive, Farmington, Connecticut. 5 Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
Initially buried in the 3rd Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 30, Grave 736. At his father’s request, remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, 621 Huckleberry Hill Road, Avon / Unionville, Connecticut. 2 Plot information can’t be confirmed by the sexton due to limited records from that time period. Footstone with small stone flower box behind it. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
DOB/DOD: April 30, 1926 (Hartford, CT) – March 10, 1945; 18 years old MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried LOCAL ADDRESS: 16 Dudley Street, Bristol ENLISTMENT: June 19, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut SERVICE NUMBER: 987673 UNIT: Company L, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0745, Rifleman
FAMILY: Son of Peter (1873-1942) and Mary Pacciucco Manzone (1882-1937), both born in Italy. Siblings are Madeline Manzone Coratola (1900-1980), John (1901-1954), Fred (1904-1952), Antoinette Manzone Coratola (1906-1965), Louis (1909-1966), Michael (1918-1933), and James (1920-2007). Private Manzone was 7 when his brother Michael died, 11 when his mother died, and 16 when his father died. 1 Worked at New Departure Division of General Motors in Bristol prior to the service. 2
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Summer of 1944. Infantry training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Transferred from the 30th Replacement Draft, 4th Marine Division to the 4th Marine Division, 25th Marines, 3rd Battalion, Company L. 3 Died from wounds to the head. 4
Photo from FamilySearch.org
From The Hartford Courant January 21, 1949
Funeral Services for Private Joseph Manzone, 18, of 16 Dudley Street, Bristol, who was killed in action on Iwo Jima, March 10, 1945, will be held Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Dunn Funeral Home, 191 West Street, Bristol, and in St. Anthony’s Church at 9 a.m. Burial will be in the family plot in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery. Private Manzone was born in Hartford on April 30, 1926, the son of the late Peter and Mary Pasciucco Manzone. He came to Bristol in his early youth. He attended the Park Street School and Bristol High School. He was employed at the New Departure Division of General Motors at the time of his enlistment in the Marine Corps on June 9, 1944. He received his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Camp Pendleton, California; and Camp Maui, Hawaii, before going into combat. He served with the Fourth Marine Division and was the holder of the Purple Heart Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with battle stars. He leaves two sisters, Mrs. Anthony Coratola and Mrs. Carmine Coratola, both of Bristol; four brothers, John Manzone, Fred Manzone, and James Manzone, all of Hartford, and several nieces and nephews.
Honored on the Bristol (CT) World War II – Korean War Monument, 495 South Street, Bristol, Connecticut.
The letter below was contributed by Mary Adamick, niece of Joseph Manzone. It is included in its entirety and used with permission.
Here is a copy of the letter that I installed in my memoir. I was about six or seven then. I’m in my eighties now, and I decided I wanted to capture family stories from the era of the Depression and World War II, along with some events that family members do not think to ask about until it is too late.
During the war, as Mike and I watched our Uncles Jim and Joey, who lived upstairs, go away to war along with the Carnemola neighbors, Mom would help us “write” letters to Uncle Joey. In one letter, we asked 18-year-old Uncle Joey what war is like. He answered with a long letter written while he was on a troopship preparing to land at Iwo Jima with the Fourth Marines.
“Dear Mary and Butchie, I don’t know when or if you will ever get this letter, but I hope you both do someday.
“You see, kids, I’m on a big troopship with a lot of other Marines, way out in the Pacific Ocean. We are going to fight the Japs once more. I can’t tell you the name of the place where we are going to hit them, but by the time you get this letter, your Mommy and Daddy will have heard or read all about the battle. Then they can tell you where I am and what has happened.
“You kids are too young to understand what war is. War is the worst thing that can exist. War means that many boys have to leave home and the ones they love. War means that many boys will get hurt, and many will not come home again. Boys like Uncle Jim and Cousins Pete and Jim and myself didn’t want to leave home, but we had to.
“You see, kids, if you are playing in your backyard and a fresh boy tries to chase you out and play there himself, you wouldn’t let him. You’d fight back, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s what the Japs tried to do, only they are mean little men, and we fight in a different way. We fight with weapons, and we fight to kill.
“The Japs were jealous of us Americans, jealous for the things we have and for what we stand for—‘Freedom.’ That’s why they started this war, and that’s why we boys have gone out to stop them so that they can never bother little kids like you. You both can go right on playing until you grow up, and then you will understand what this is all about. I hope I have given you both an idea of what this is all about, and I’m sure that Mommy tries to explain things like this to you both. As soon as the fight is over, I will let you know that I am all right.
“Mary, I hear that you are now taking tap dancing lessons and that you are very good. I wish I could see you, but someday, when I come home, you will dance for me, won’t you?”
“And, Butch, so you finally got your bugle, did you, and do you play it good yet? I bet by the time I get back, you will be a good bugler.
“Well, kids I have to close now. Be good little kids, and at night, when you say your prayers, pray for all of us. Pray that the war will end soon, with a great victory for us. I love you both. God bless you. Love, Your Uncle Joe.”
Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 1, Row 31, Grave 1541. His remains were repatriated in 1949 and buried in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, 898 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield / Hartford, Connecticut; Section M, Lot 509-512, Grave 2. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
DOB/DOD: July 18, 1924 (Stamford, CT) – February 24, 1945; 20 years old MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried LOCAL ADDRESS: 686 Pacific Street, Stamford (1930) ENLISTMENT: August 26, 1942, in New York City SERVICE NUMBER: 450157 UNIT: Company K, 3rd Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0745, Rifleman
FAMILY: Born to William Malizewski [WW I veteran] (1894-1970) and Veronica “Vera” Dombrosky Malizewski (1900-1978). Both parents were born in Poland. William was their only child. 1
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Fall of 1942. Assigned to the 3rd Division, 21st Marines, 3rd Battalion, Company K from October 1942 through the Battle of Iwo Jima. 5 Died from a gunshot wound to the head. 4 PFC Malizewski and Corporal Robert Moone of Plantsville, CT, were in the same company and died on the same day.
Photo from The Quarterly, June 1941, Stamford High School. Contributed by Deb Gerber, School Library Media Specialist, Stamford High School. 3
From The Stamford Advocate, March 16, 1945; contributed by Ellen Sullivan, Senior Reader Services Librarian, The Ferguson Library, One Public Library Plaza, Stamford
Private Malizewski Is Reported Killed In Iwo Jima Fighting
Private First Class William A. Malizewski, USMC, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Malizewski, 120 Henry Street, was killed in action in Iwo Jima, it was reported today. A veteran of the battle for Guam and Bougainville, Malizewski enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1942 and has been overseas since 1943. He graduated from Stamford High School in 1941 and was later employed at Conde Nast.
Citation to accompany the award of the Silver Star Medal
For action during World War II, U.S. Marine Corps, 3rd Marine Division, Commander in Chief, Pacific, order number 34072, August 23, 1945.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William A. Malizewski (MCSN: 450157), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifleman with the Third Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, on 24 February 1945. Severely wounded during the advance across Motoyama Airfield Number Two, Private First Class Malizewski was under treatment by a medical corpsman when he observed an automatic rifleman struck down and instantly killed while rendering effective support to the advance of his platoon. Fearlessly disregarding the tremendous volume of enemy fire blanketing the area, he immediately ran to his fallen comrade’s position, took over his rifle, and continued to provide urgently needed supporting fire for the desperately fighting, relentlessly advancing platoon. Resolute and determined, he maintained a steady stream of deadly bullets and succeeded in killing the crew of an enemy machine gun, thereby neutralizing the heavy weapon before he himself fell mortally wounded by a vicious burst of fire from another hostile machine gun. Stouthearted and courageous, Private First Class Malizewski rendered heroic service during the critical phase of the bitter conflict, and his prompt initiative, indomitable fighting spirit, and great personal valor in the face of savage opposition upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.2
Memorialized on the Stamford Veterans Memorial, 138 Atlantic Street, Stamford, Connecticut.
Initially buried in the 3rd Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 8, Grave 179. At his father’s request, his remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in St. John’s Cemetery, 191 Hoyt Street, Darien, Connecticut; Block 54, Lot 49 (2 lots from Robert Rotunno). Photo by Jeff DeWitt. The headstone is inscribed “OUR BILLY.”
Only one grave separates PFC Malizewski from PFC Rotunno, who was also killed in the Battle of Iwo Jima on March 2, 1945.
DOB/DOD: December 31, 1924 (New Haven, CT) – March 7, 1945; 20 years old MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried LOCAL ADDRESS: 193 Lombard Street, New Haven ENLISTMENT: August 18, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts SERVICE NUMBER: 891329 UNIT: Company A, 5th Engineer Battalion, 5th Marine Division MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0533, Demolition Specialist
FAMILY: The only son born to William (1902-1976) and Josephine Coleman Maley (1904-1979). 1
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Fall of 1943. In early 1944, assigned to Company A, 16th Marines (Engr), 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, and then the Engineer Battalion, 5th Marine Division, in the summer of 1944. Died of gunshot wounds to the abdomen. Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
New Haven High School, Class of ‘43
Certificate from the U.S. Marine Corps, likely to his parents. Found on FindAGrave.com. 4
Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Grave 1162, Row 9, Plot 5. Repatriated and buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1063 Evergreen Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut; Section E, Plot I, Lot S4. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
DOB/DOD: May 15, 1926 (New York, NY) – March 6, 1945; 18 years old MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried LOCAL ADDRESS: Hotchkiss School, Lakeville/Hartford ENLISTMENT: June 29, 1944, in Los Angeles, California SERVICE NUMBER: 955610 UNIT: 28th Replacement Draft, 3rd Marine Division MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0521, Basic Marine
FAMILY: The only child of Dr. John Dooley Lyttle (1889-1948) and Charlotte Watrous Lyttle (1892-1949). John Lyttle was a Captain in the Medical Corps during World War I. He was also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California and the director of the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. No siblings. 1, 2 Cousin of PFC John Burleson Lyttle, U.S. Marine Corps, 3rd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, who was wounded in action in the Battle of Iwo Jima and is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp in San Diego, California, in July 1944. Assigned to the 4th Infantry Training Regiment, 9th Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, in the fall of 1944. Assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, 28th Replacement Draft in January 1945. 5 Nature and manner of his death are unknown.
Hotchkiss High School (Hartford, CT) Class of ‘44
From The New York Times on August 14, 1945
Private Thornton Hunt Lyttle of the Marines, the only child of Dr. and Mrs. John D. Lyttle of Los Angeles and formerly of 439 East Fifty-first Street, was killed in action on March 6 on Iwo Island, the Navy Department has informed his family. He was serving with the Third Marine Division. Born in New York eighteen years ago, he attended the Eaglebrook School, Deerfield, Massachusetts, the Buckley School here, and graduated cum laude from the Hotchkiss School at Lakeville, Connecticut, in May 1944. He was president of his graduating class, chairman of Nischianza, the school yearbook, was on the school soccer, ski, and track teams, and was chosen by his class as its wittiest and most original member. He was interested in painting, won the school art prize three years in succession, had a Harvard scholarship, and intended to study architecture. His father, a physician, is head of the Pediatric Department at the University of Southern California. Private Lyttle was a grandson of Mrs. George D. Watrous of New Haven, Connecticut.
From The New York Daily News on August 16, 1945
Private Thornton Hunt Lyttle, 18, formerly of 439 East 51st Street, was killed March 6 while fighting with the 3rd Marine Division on Iwo Jima, the Navy Department has informed his parents, Dr. and Mrs. John D. Lyttle of Los Angeles. He was a graduate of the Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Connecticut, and a grandson of socially prominent Mrs. George D. Watrous of New Haven, Connecticut.
Initially interred in the 3rd Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 23, Grave 552. At his father’s request, he was buried on February 21, 1949, 4 in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), 2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii; Section N, Grave 347. 6 Photo from FindAGrave.com. 3
DOB/DOD: May 26, 1921 (New London, CT) – February 21, 1945; 23 years old MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried LOCAL ADDRESS: 43 Montauk Avenue, New London ENLISTMENT: Unknown SERVICE NUMBER: 6425788 ENLISTED RATE AND UNIT ASSIGNED TO: Corpsman assigned to the 26th Marines
FAMILY: Born to David J. (1884-1953) and Ellen Mahoney Lynch (1885-1922). David Lynch was born in Ireland. Ellen Lynch died when Richard was 1 ½ years old. One brother, David N. (1917-2014). 1 Richard worked at New England Collapsible Tube Co. in New London prior to joining the service. 2
From the Connecticut Military Portrait Collection, Connecticut State Library, Identifier: PG570; used with permission
Photos from Ancestry.com
Honored on the New London War Memorial, WWII plaque, 150 Broad Street, New London, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
Remains were repatriated and buried on April 14, 1948, in Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Virginia; Section 12, Grave 4750. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
DOB/DOD: January 23, 1918 (New Haven, CT) – February 24, 1945; 27 years old MARITAL STATUS: Married Lorain Fippinger (1920-2000) on January 6, 1940, in Madison, Connecticut. Lorain remarried George Yarde in 1946 in Bristol. CHILDREN: One son, George Edward (1943-). Research suggests Corporal Lord’s son, George, was adopted by George Yarde, Lorain Lord’s second husband. LOCAL ADDRESS: 43 Whalley Avenue, New Haven ENLISTMENT: September 23, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts SERVICE NUMBER: 891633 UNIT: Company A, 5th Engineer Battalion, 5th Marine Division MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0189, Rigger, Heavy Equipment
FAMILY: Born to John (1875-1939) [born in England] and Edith Dewey Lord (1880-1975). Youngest of seven children. Siblings are Edith Elizabeth (1897-1972), John Jr. (1901-1959), Harold (1905-1992), Lester (1910-2006), Ruth (1912-1989), and Dorothea (1916-1962). 1, 2 Worked at Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven prior to the service. 3
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in late 1943. Assigned to the 16th Marines (Engineers), 1st Battalion, Company A. Camp Lejeune, New River, North Carolina, for Engineer Training in January 1944. In April 1944, assigned to the 26th Marines (Reinforced), 5th Engineer Battalion, Company A. In October 1944, he was assigned to his final unit, the 5th Marine Division, 5th Engineer Battalion. 5 Died from a gunshot wound to the head. 4
Hartford Public High School, Class of 1935
From The Journal (Meriden, CT) March 30, 1945
Mrs. Lorraine Lord of Choate School has been informed by the Marine Department through the Navy Department that her husband, Corporal George E. Lord, died fighting with the Marines against the Japs at Iwo Jima. Corporal Lord, who was in the service for over two years, was killed in action in the bloody Pacific battle of February 24. Besides his wife, he is survived by a small son.
Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 1, Row 11, Grave 219. 4At his mother’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried in 1948 in East Lawn Cemetery, 58 River Street, East Haven, Connecticut; Section E, Lot 62, Grave C, between two bushes. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
DOB/DOD: September 16, 1920 (Meriden, CT) – February 27, 1945; 24 years old MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried LOCAL ADDRESS: 2 Billiard Street, Meriden ENLISTMENT: June 16, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut SERVICE NUMBER: 987668 UNIT: Company I, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0521, Basic Marine
FAMILY: Born to John Logoyke (1884-1955) and Annie Audevich Logoyke (1896-1955). Both parents were born in Russia. They died 5 months apart in 1955. The second youngest of five children. Siblings are Nicholas (1915-1974), Walter (1917-2003), Natalie Logoyke Yasensky (1918-2018), and Alexandria “Alice” Logoyke Bennett (1930-1998). 1, 2 Worked at Connecticut Telephone and Electric Corporation in Meriden prior to the service. 3
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the summer of 1944. Camp Lejeune for Infantry training in the Fall of 1944. Assigned to the 30th Replacement Draft of the 4th Marine Division in early 1945. 5 Died from “multiple wounds.” 4 He was in the Marine Corps for 8 months.
Photos contributed by Ruth Borsuk, Volunteer, Meriden Historical Society.
From The Journal (Meriden) January 18, 1949
The body of Private Alexander Logoyke, U.S. Marine Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Logoyke of 64 Webster Street, will arrive in Meriden on the 2:07 p.m. train Thursday afternoon. His body was returned to this country recently aboard the U.S. Army Transport Dalton Victory from the Pacific. Private Logoyke was 24 years old when he was killed on February 27, 1945, in the invasion of Iwo Jima. Besides his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Nicholas and Walter Logoyke, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Yasensky and Mrs. Ward Bennett, of this city. The funeral will be held at 8:45 a.m. Friday morning from the funeral home of John J. Ferry and Sons, 88 East Main Street, and at 9:30 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church. Burial will be in the Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3 to 10 o’clock on Thursday evening.
Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 1, Row 21, Grave 1038. At his mother’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried on January 21, 1949, in Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery, 366 Westfield Road, Meriden, Connecticut; plot number unknown. 4 Photo by Jeff DeWitt. On the first visit, the footstone was completely buried.
DOB/DOD: March 20, 1920 (Manchester, CT) – February 19, 1945; 24 years old MARITAL STATUS: Married Anne Sipples Liss (1922-2011) on May 12, 1942, in Coventry, CT. She remarried Louis G. White of New York in 1946. One half-sister, Sandra Ann White (1947-2011). LOCAL ADDRESS: 189 Oak Street, Manchester ENLISTMENT: April 7, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts SERVICE NUMBER: 845846 UNIT: Company C, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0522, Guard; and 0604, Machine Gun Crewman
FAMILY: Born to Ben [WWI veteran] (1886-1926) and Rose Kanesky Liss (1888-1962). Later remarried to Joseph Zadorozny (1886-1967). Youngest of 3 children; brother Stanley (1916-1980), and sister Pola (1919-?). 1, 2 Worked as a Presser at Independent Clark in Manchester prior to the service. 3
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Spring of 1943. Assigned to the Naval Ammunition Depot, Iona Island, New York, from July 1943 through July 1944. The final assignment was in October 1944 to the 4th Marine Division, 25th Marines, 1st Battalion. 5 Died from wounds to the abdomen. 4
From the book “World War II History of Manchester, Connecticut.”
Honored on a monument in Munro Park, 62 Porter Street, Manchester, Connecticut. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 10, Plot 1, Grave 492. Mrs. Liss relinquished the disposition of the remains to Walter’s mother. Remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in Saint Bridget’s Cemetery, 190 Oakland Street, Manchester, Connecticut; far right side of the cemetery near a chain link fence. Photo by K.G. Keena Memorials after cleaning the headstone.
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.
Photo from Ancestry.com
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.
