William Zukowski

8Jun1920 – 27Feb1945

Edison Days

William attended Edison High School, but no pictures of his days at Edison have been located at this time.

Military Service

Branch: United States Marine Corps

Rank: Private First Class

Unit: Company F – 2nd Batallion – 9th Marine Regiment – 3rd Marine Division

William joined the Marine Corps on 21March1944 and was overseas by July of that year. The 9th Marine Regiment was involved with the battle to recapture Guam in July 1944 before they would join the fight on Iwo Jima. It is unknown if William participated in the action on Guam or not.

This excerpt is from a unit history of the 9th Marine Regiment.

Guam was the next objective for the men of the 9th Marines. Early on 2lJul1944, the amphibian tractors carrying the first assault waves of Colonel Craig’s 9th Marines came ashore on the island in the face of Japanese defending fire. The next day the regiment pushed rapidly south along the shore to seize the Piti Navy Yard, and then moved into the hills to help drive out the Japanese. With this task accomplished, the unit became involved in securing the northern portion of Guam. The 9th reached the cliffs on the north coast on the afternoon of 9 August. With the end of organized resistance, the regiment participated in mopping-up operations on Guam.

Embarking on board ships in February 1945, the 9th Marines sailed from Guam for Iwo Jima, arriving in the floating reserve area on D-Day, 19 February. Five days later, the regiment, now commanded by Colonel Howard N. Kenyon, landed and moved up to the front. The Japanese controlled the rough, high ground and the 3d Marine Division was tasked with clearing the critical central portion of the Motoyama Plateau by means of a frontal assault. On the morning of 25 February, the 9th Marines passed through the front lines on the southern edge of Motoyama Airfield No. 2. For three days the Marines fought on and around the airfield. The Marines were able to drive the Japanese from two hills before being relieved by the 21st Marines.

William died on the last day of the fighting around Motoyama Airfield No. 2. The circumstances of his death are unknown.

In 1948, William’s remains were returned to United States for reburial at Fort Snelling National Cemetary in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

https://www.marines.mil/News/Marines-TV/videoid/740291/?dvpTag=IWO+JIMA