World War II Honoree

John P. Zujkowski

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Duryea, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Ms. Cynthia Zujkowski

Relationship

Daughter

Army draft notice January 1943. Assigned to the Cannon Company, 350th Regiment, 88th Infantry Division as gun crewman. Division known as the Blue Devils, wore bright blue ascots with their uniforms. Trained at Fort Sam Houston, Oklahoma. Shipped to Malta, North Africa for additional training. Unit landed at Naples, moved overland to assist in securing the Anzio Beachhead. Fought their way north to Rome. Promoted to sergeant, scout. Located the enemy and determined placements for the unit's 105mm cannon. In 1945, the Blue Devils were sent to the Po Valley. In the fight for Mount Battaglia, hit by shrapnel in both legs. Evacuated to Rome, then to the U.S. Feared he might lose one leg. Recovered, but carries a metal fragment in his calf to this day. Awarded the Purple Heart.