Szabo, Private Theodore S. -- 1922 - 1941

SZABO

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 7/6/2004 at 14:38:11

Private Theodore S. Szabo
 
PURPLE HEART AWARD TO TED SZABO

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Szabo of Castalia, whose son, Private Theodore S. Szabo of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, lost his life on the battleship Arizona at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when the Japanese attacked that place December 7, 1941, have received a Purple Heart citation from Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy, awarded to their son posthumously.

The citation reads as follows:
"The United States of America. To All Who Shall See These Presents, Greeting: This is to certify that the President of the United States of America pursuant to authority vested in him by Congress has awarded the Purple Heart established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782, to Private Theodore S. Szabo, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, for Military Merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death December 7, 1941. Given under my hand in the City of Washington, this 6th day of September, 1943. FRANK KNOX, Secretary of the Navy."

Ted, who was 19 years old at the time of his death, enlisted in the Marines in the spring of 1941 and received his preliminary training at San Diego, Calif., before going to the Hawaiian Islands aboard the Arizona. His duties at the time of the Jap attack was having charge of the storeroom of the expeditionary forces and as such was 12 feet below deck.

Three other sons of the Szabos are now serving their country, William and Robert in the Marines at San Diego, and Edward in the Navy at Farragut, Idaho.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection.

Submitter not related -- posted for benefit of others.