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NAME John James Supitkowsky |
NICKNAME — |
SERVICE NUMBER 458713 |
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| UNIT Marine Detachment USS Helena |
HOME OF RECORD 2816 Brannon Street St. Louis, MO |
NEXT OF KIN Mother, Mrs. Eva Supitkowsky |
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| DATE OF BIRTH May 5, 1924 at St. Louis, MO |
ENTERED SERVICE October 2, 1942 at St. Louis, MO |
DATE OF LOSS July 6, 1943 |
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| REGION Solomon Islands |
CAMPAIGN / AREA New Georgia / Kula Gulf |
CASUALTY TYPE Missing In Action Declared Dead July 7, 1945 |
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CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSS In the early morning hours of 6 July 1943, an American naval squadron including Helena engaged a group of Japanese destroyers attempting to land reinforcements on New Georgia. In the ensuing Battle of Kula Gulf, Helena was struck by three torpedoes and suffered fatal damage. When the order to abandon ship was given, Major Bernard Kelly assembled his Marine detachment, accounted for all hands, and led them over the side. Survivors of the Helena spent anywhere from a few hours to several days at sea or stranded in the Solomon Islands before rescue. Although he was known to have escaped the sinking cruiser, Pvt. Supitkowsky was never returned to military control. He was eventually declared dead on 7 July 1945, his ultimate fate unknown. |
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| INDIVIDUAL DECORATIONS Purple Heart |
LAST KNOWN RANK Private First Class |
STATUS OF REMAINS Presumed lost at sea. |
MEMORIALS Manila American Cemetery |
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Biography:
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