Edward Frank Ruszel
Sergeant Edward F. Ruszel was a Marine aviator assigned to Marine Air Group 21 (MAG-21).
He was killed in an accidental crash near Efate, New Hebrides, on 11 March 944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 465728
Current Status
Remains not recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 18, 1917
in Chicago, IL
Parents
Frank Ruszel
Stella (Wasik) Ruszel
Education
Bloom Township High School (1935)
Occupation & Employer
Straightening machine operator
Calumet Steel Company
Service Life
Entered Service
September 10, 1942
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
1304 Portland Avenue
Chicago Heights, IL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Stella Ruszel
Military Specialty
Aviation radioman/gunner
Individual Decorations
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
After completing boot camp at Parris Island and training at NATTC Norman, Oklahoma, Edward Ruszel was assigned to Service Squadron Eleven in Espirity Santo, New Hebrides, to serve as a transportation NCO. Towards the end of 1943, he was transferred to MAG-21 at Efate for “general duty” with the flight echelon; he may have been working towards qualification as an aerial gunner.
On 11 March 1944, Ruszel rode in the rear seat of a Dauntless dive bomber (SBD-5 #10978) piloted. by 1Lt. Herbert H. Fritzie. The pair took off from Efate for a routine familiarization hop. As they flew over Devil’s Point, Fritzie put the plane into a steep left turn – but the Dauntless failed to recover and went into a spin. Aircraft and crew hit the water three miles off Devil’s Point and sank immediately. No trace of survivors could be found, and both Marines were declared dead immediately following the accident.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Stella Ruszel
Location Of Loss
Fritzie and Ruszel went down three miles from Devil’s Point, Efate, New Hebrides (now Vanuatu)
