Monroe Wisconsin

Bruzelius, David Jr.
Air Force Sergeant

David Jr. Bruzelius from Monroe, Wisconsin, Green county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: September 30, 1950
Death details: 

Midmorning of September 30, 1950, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34685A) departed Iwakuni Air Base Japan with a crew of three aviators in a flight of two. The briefed mission was daylight armed reconnaissance targeting the main supply routes north of Wonsan, North Korea. While patrolling north along a rail line, the Invader was hit by anti-aircraft fire, damaging aircraft and wounding the flight engineer. The B-26’s pilot immediately turned the aircraft southeast over the water, attempting to reach friendly territory. About five minutes later, the Invader lost power in the left engine and began losing altitude. Unable to contact the gunner, the pilot decided to ditch aircraft; however, the B-26 exploded as soon as it contacted the water. It is believed that this B-26 it struck a sea-mine while attempting to ditch. All attempts to rescue the aviators were unsuccessful, including an attempt by a U.S. destroyer which was severely damaged by a sea-mine during its search.

Sergeant David Bruzelius Jr., who joined the U.S. Air Force from Wisconsin, was assigned to the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Group. He was the gunner aboard the Invader when it crashed. There is no evidence he was ever alive in enemy hands. Additionally, no returning POWs mentioned contact with Sgt Buzelius, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Sergeant Bruzelius is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW.MIA Accounting Agency

Williams, Clyde R.
Marines Reserves Private 1st class

Clyde R. Williams, age 20, from Monroe, Wisconsin, Green county.

Parents: Fred Williams

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Monday, November 22, 1943
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private First Class Clyde R. Williams entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Wisconsin and served in Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was killed in action during the Battle of Tarawa on November 22, 1943. He was buried in Cemetery #33, but after the war his remains were not located and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private First Class Williams is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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