SSG Chester John Marciszewski

SSG Chester John Marciszewski was born 27 Feb 1923 in Rochester, New York. He was the 4th of 6 children born to Dominik (Daniel) and Amelia (Pawlak) Mariszewski. Both parents were Catholic Polish immigrants. Two older siblings died of the influenza in 1918. His father worked as a moulder in an ironworks. Chester attended Benjamin Franklin High School.  By 1942 he was working for the American Laundry Machinery Company. In April 1942 he married Mary Lou Karl.

Chester was drafted in January 1943. After his training he was sent to Europe in May 1944. He was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 5 Jul 1944. PFC Marciszewski was wounded on 11 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was promoted to SGT on 17 Aug 1944. SGT Marciszewski was sent to hospital again on 9 Sep 1944, this time as a non-battle casualty, and returned to duty the next day. Chester was reduced in rank to PVT on 21 Sep 1944 for reasons unknown to us. His son was born in October 1944. He was promoted to SSG on 1 Nov 1944. SSG Marciszewski was killed in action on 23 Nov 1944.

SSG Marciszewski was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.

"For gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany, near Baesweiler, when the advance of Company K was impeded by flanking fire from an enemy machine gun. Sergeant Marciszewski, amidst heavy enemy artillery fire, seized an automatic rifle from a casualty and voluntarily charged the machine gun. Without assistance, he assaulted the position, firing his weapon from the hip, capturing the gun and three members of the crew. As a result of his aggressive and heroic actions, the company was able to advance from underneath the enemy artillery barrage and secure its objective."

SSG Marciszewski was interred in the Netherlands American Cemetery.