Winston S. Churchill, Triumph and Tragedy
The News of the Week in Review
Ten Steps in Victory of the Rhine (map) 18
Across the Rhine 19-20
Fifteen News Questions 21
On the Rhine: The Big Parade (cartoon) 22
The Battle Beyond the Rhine Takes Shape (Baldwin) 23-24
Answers to Fifteen News Questions 24
Bridgehead (cartoon) 24
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
HEADQUARTERS
FLEET MAINE FORCE, PACIFIC
C/O FLEET POST OFFICE, SAN FRANCISCO
24 March, 1945
From: The commanding General
To: Private First Class Sam ZIGTEMA (9157380)
Via: The Medical Officer in Command, U.S. Naval Hospital, Navy #10
Subject: Purple Heart Medal - award of.
Enclosure: (A) Purple Heart Medal.
1. In the name of the President of the United States, Medal is award by the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, to:
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS SAM ZIGTEMA,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for wounds received as a result of enemy action in the Asiatic-Pacific Area, on 21 February, 1945.
H.M. SMITH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copy to:
SECNAV
CMC (2)
SRB
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This is what is on the paper accompanying the Purple Heart my Uncle received. Interesting that Iwo Jima not mentioned but I suppose that was for security. Took about a month to process, how long would that take today?
He was a paraplegic for the rest of his life until he died in 1967. Along with this paper was a catalog for wheel chairs. His legs stiffened into a straight position and they had to cut tendons for him to sit in a wheel chair. I can’t imagine having to pick a wheel chair at that age. Was in and out of the veterans hospital a lot until he died.
About this time, My mother was traveling with family to California with a special gas allotment because he was not expected to live, was down to 90 lbs. He survived and custom built a house with an elevator, designed his own driving mechanism, hunted and fished a lot.
Overcame a lot of obstacles with little help. He Had a gun shop in the basement where he would shoot into logs to test fire but some went through to the concrete block I remember. Would always yell “FIRE” to my Aunt in the kitchen before he shot.