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Charles Bernard Dombroski

Private Charles B. Dombroski served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 5th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 26 September 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 351752

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains Not Recovered

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

May 20, 1921
at Wilkes-Barre, PA

Parents

Charles Dambrouskas (d. 1936)
Catherine (Maziekas) Dambrouskas (d. 1939)

Education

Coughlin High School (1939)

 

Occupation & Employer

Details unknown

Service Life

Entered Service

January 13, 1942
at New York, NY

Home Of Record

46 Reno Lane
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Next Of Kin

Grandmother, Mrs. Anna Maziekas

Military Specialty

Primary Unit

F/2/5th Marines

Campaigns Served

Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Private Charles Dombroski participated in the campaigns for the Solomon Islands as a member of F/2/5th Marines. By mid-September 1942, he was a veteran of landings on Tulagi, combat patrols on Guadalcanal, and the battle for Edson’s Ridge.

On September 25, Dombroski’s battalion was ordered to saddle up and head into the boondocks to support a friendly combat patrol. They were placed under the temporary command of LtCol. Lewis “Chesty” Puller, and patrolled west towards the Matanikau River. The next morning, Easy Company led the way north towards the river’s mouth, where they would attempt to cross.

The Japanese stayed quiet until the first Americans crossed a sandbar – and then opened fire with mortars and machine guns. Puller deployed 2/5 along the eastern bank and repeatedly tried to force a crossing – always with the same bloody result. The action would become known as the Second Battle of the Matanikau. Private Dombroski was one of three Fox Company Marines killed in action on 26 September 1942.

Excerpt from the muster roll of F/2/5th Marines, September 1942.
Burial Information or Disposition

During a lull in the battle, Dombroski’s remains were recovered and buried “about 300 yards east of the Matanikau River on the Beach Trail, between a coconut grove and a small trail.” He was the first man interred there; PFC Kenneth J. Whelan (Easy) was buried in Grave 1, while PFC William P. Duckworth (Fox) occupied Grave 3.

Unfortunately, sustained heavy fighting in the vicinity probably destroyed any markers denoting the exact location. Whelan, Dombroski, and Duckworth were never recovered or identified.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of grandmother, Mrs. Anna Maziekas.

Location Of Loss

Approximate burial site, 300 yards east of Matanikau River.
“Beach Trail” is now Mendana Avenue / Kukum Highway

Related Profiles

Second Battalion, 5th Marines killed in action 26 September 1942
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