James Raymond Malak
Private James R. Malak served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on 24 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 349786
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 28, 1922
in Chicago, IL
Parents
Leonard Malak
Agnes Margaret (Jezorek) Malak
Education
North Hollywood High School (1941)
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
January 7, 1942
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
10940 Huston Street
North Hollywood, CA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Agnes Malak
Military Specialty
—
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 24 November 1942, the Second Battalion 8th Marines found itself dug in along a ridge west of Guadalcanal’s Matanikau River. Frontal assaults against heavily fortified Japanese positions resulted in heavy casualties to both Marine and Army units, and combat actions were limited to patrols and ambushes.
Private James Malak of North Hollywood, California, was killed in action on this date, either while holding defensive positions or while patrolling between the lines. His death was attributed to “gunshot wounds;” no further specifics are currently known.
Burial Information or Disposition
Malak was reportedly buried in the field at coordinates (69.45-199.7) on the standard Map 104 of Guadalcanal’s north coast – and he was not alone. Of the eleven Fox Company Marines killed during the November operation, nine were buried at this location on a ridge west of the Matanikau. None have ever been recovered or identified.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Leonard & Agnes Malak.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the F/2/8 cemetery, now part of Honiara.
