World War II Honoree

Michael Joseph Orzechowski

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

New Britain, Connecticut

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. On July 25, 1944, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps from Connecticut. His boot camp training took place with the Fifth Recruit Battalion, Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base at Parris Island, South Carolina. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Served as a Rifleman with the Sixth Marine Division in the Northwest Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Fox Company, Second Battalion and Fourth Marine Regiment. His division participated in the Battle of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands against the Imperial Japanese and Naval forces (Battle Dates: Easter Sunday, April 1–June 22, 1945) Code Name: Operation Iceberg. He died of wounds encountered on the battlefield Sunday, May 20, 1945 and buried in the Sixth Marine division battlefield cemetery on Okinawa. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest in a private cemetery in Connecticut. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.