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Zymroz, Chester "Czecslaw"

Date of birth:
February 15th, 1916 (Holyoke/Massachusetts, United States)
Date of death:
May 26th, 1973 (Springfield/Massachusetts, United States)
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Czeslaw was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on February 15, 1916 to John and Kartazina E. Zymroz. His father was of Polish descent. He also had two brothers (Walter and Max) and a sister (Jennie).

He joined the U.S. Navy on February 5, 1936 and served as a Motor Machinist''s Mate Second Class aboard the USS Cherokee (AT-66), later performing heroic actions which would earn him the Navy Cross during World War II. He continued to serve with the Navy into the Korean War with U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1. He was discharged on February 4, 1957.

He died of unknown causes on May 26, 1973 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was buried in the Agawam Center Cemetery in Agawam, Massachusetts.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Motor Machinist's Mate 2nd Class
Unit:
U.S.S. Cherokee (AT-66), U.S. Navy
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty as member of a demolition party attached to the Fleet Tug U.S.S. CHEROKEE (AT-66), during the assault on and occupation of French Morocco from 8 to 11 November 1942. Assigned the extremely dangerous task of cutting through an enemy obstruction in order that the U.S.S. DALLAS could navigate up the Sebou River in order to land raiders near a strategic airport, Machinist's Mate Second Class Zymroz and his shipmates, on the night of 9 November, proceeded with grim determination toward their objective. Despite the treacherous surf, he and his comrades skillfully and courageously accomplished their hazardous mission of cutting the cables at the mouth of the river, as guns from the French fort opened fire. Countering the enemy's attack until out of range, Machinist's Mate Second Class Zymroz and the other members of his party, in spite of the enormous breakers which battered their boat, brought her back to safety. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Navy Cross

Sources

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