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Named LST-523/543 D-Day/Okinawa grouping


24th_infantry
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24th_infantry

I just got this grouping today. It belonged to Joseph Frank Lonczak who served on LST-523 which participated in D-Day and was sunk by a mine on June 19, 1944. He was lucky to escape but was wounded and received the purple heart. He was then a member on the LST-543 which participated in the Okinawa invasion. He got a battle star for participating in both battles. The grouping consists of a number of his jumpers, all which are named. There are also three hats amd four trousers along with a neckerchief. I also have two American Legion uniforms named to him. The only confusing items are the white dress gloves and the USN pilot scarf.  I'm thinking that maybe a relative of his served in the navy as a pilot or knew a pilot because one of the jumpers is an aviation machinist mate 2nd class. I found his obituary and sadly he was never married and had no children. I am going to reach out and contact his sister who I believe is still alive. I really want to learn more about this guy. 20201215_193721.jpg.e5d93ffa47df351ba4455588570c1cfb.jpg20201215_193730.jpg.31cde277467e1bec18e1f20c89edbff8.jpg20201215_194145.jpg.3569d1a722d4679afc17564fe856a585.jpg20201215_194136.jpg.2147766e31b62c7673976a2942ebce0b.jpg20201215_194158.jpg.11ab047719ddf17c155a2a869d451533.jpg20201215_193946.jpg.9ad7c31397ff7e837ef1f8b9cba86aef.jpg20201215_193838.jpg.4ed4413e214ece73ec12f6faf72d5245.jpg20201215_193747.jpg.fc0629f13f10be61e4175cf8fbcc2807.jpg20201215_194000.jpg.623220e658cfb34f2a037111c3432b7c.jpg

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24th_infantry

After doing more research I found out he had a twin brother and one older brother and one younger.  I have a least one uniform from the twin brother Frederick who served on APA-177.  

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