Edward R. Dzama was born in Cleveland, Ohio on 10 December 1921. Little information is available about his early life: he was the fifth child in a large family headed by Mary and Andrezj “Andy” Dzama, and grew up in Ashtabula County surrounded by siblings (Ann, Michael, Andrew, John, William and James).

“Eddie” attended Geneva High School in the late 1930s, and after leaving school moved to the village of Rock Creek, Ohio.

Eddie Dzama happened to be in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 29 January 1942 – the day he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He trained in California at MCRD San Diego and was posted to VMSB-232, a dive-bomber squadron based on the west coast. PFC Dzama shipped out for the Pacific as a radioman/gunner and flew a combat tour with the “Red Devils” over Guadalcanal.

In October 1942, VMSB-232 rotated out of the Solomon Islands and returned to California to re-train with Avenger torpedo bombers. The squadron was re-designated as VMTB-232, and veteran Dzama was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He redeployed to the Pacific in the spring of 1943, with 1Lt. Philip Field and PFC Joseph D. Miller in his crew.

At some point during his time in California, Eddie Dzama married Ruth Irene Cook. She set up their home in Santa Ana.

On 26 October 1943, TBF-1 Avenger #06416 took off from Guadalcanal on a mission to bomb Kahili airfield on the island of Bougainville. Lieutenant Field, Sergeant Dzama, and PFC Miller were at their regular stations: Field in the cockpit, Dzama in the turret, and Miller manning the radio.

The American strike force met no Japanese fighters over the target, but faced “intense heavy, moderate light” antiaircraft fire as they dropped their bombs. Lieutenant Field’s Avenger took a hit in the engine which started a fire. The pilot managed to pull the bomber out of its gliding approach, but the engine failed and the flaming airplane dove into the water.

Two of the three-man crew managed to jump from the falling Avenger. Only one parachute opened and drifted slowly down over Bougainville. The other flyer fell into the water and disappeared from view.

Because nobody knew if the parachutist was Field, Dzama, or Miller, all were reported as missing in action. The two enlisted men were declared dead on 27 October 1944; Field followed on 11 January 1946.

Andy Dzama died in November 1943 without knowing what happened to his son. The news of Philip’s death was conveyed to his wife, Ruth C. Dzama, in Santa Ana, California.

“First Lieutenant Philip Field, pilot, Sergeant Edward R. Dzama, turret gunner, and Private Joseph D. Miller, radio gunner, flying in Plane BuNo. 06414 were observed to pull out of glide at 1000 feet. The engine was on fire and, after making a turn to the left, the plane dove into the water at a 20 degree angle between the beach and Erventa Island. Two men were seen to jump; one chute opened, the other did not and the man was seen to go into the water. No other information was obtainable.”
– war diary of VMTB-232, 26 October 1943.

CENOTAPHS

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial