History: End of War in the Pacific (Sep 1945); Death of Joseph Dzwil, Local WWII Vet

and the most destructive war in history has ended with the defeat of Japan, the last of the Axis nations.

What has been the cost to us?

Three hundred billions of dollars. More than one and one quarter millions of boys killed, wounded or missing. Four years spent at maximum production of materials for destruction. Homes by the thousand with one or more members of the family gone. Shortages of food fuel, transportation, and many other things. Blackouts, air raid drills, shore patrols, aircraft warning stations, a state of feat for months.

It is high time the decent citizens of the peace loving nations get together to write a peace treaty so severe, so absolutely gangster proof, that the outlaw nations will realize at last that war is not a profitable occupation. Let their punishment fit their crimes.

This graphic and accompanying message appeared with a listing of those who served in World War II in the 6 Sep 1945 edition of The Matawan Journal (p 13).  Among those on the Matawan Honor Roll were local brothers John, Joseph and Stanley Dzwil.

Joseph Dzwil of Matawan died at the age of 86 on Thursday 8 Mar 2012, according to his obituary at Day Funeral Home website.

According to Ancestry.com, Joseph Walter Dzwil was born 15 Jun 1925 and enlisted for service in the US Navy at Camden, NJ on 28 Aug 1943. He reported for duty aboard the destroyer escort (DE 105) USS Burrows on 19 Dec 1943 as seaman 2nd class(S2c V6). He was promoted to seaman 1st class (S1c V6) by Sep 1944; gunnery mate 3rd class (GM3cT) by January 1945; and gunnery mate 2nd class (GM2c) by Mar 1946.

Obituary

Joseph W. Dzwil, 86, of Matawan, passed away, Thursday, March 8, 2012, at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Matawan Township, he resided in Keyport before moving to Matawan Borough 55 years ago. He retired as a material expediter foreman at Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck, New Jersey. He enjoyed fishing, crabbing, boating and was an avid gardener. 

Joseph served his country in the Navy during WWII on the destroyer escort USS Burrows, in both the Atlantic and Pacific theater. He was awarded the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, European Theater Medal and Victory Medal.

Joseph was predeceased by a brother, Stanley Dzwil and a sister, Blanche Dzwil Antrim. He is survived by two sons, Joseph Dzwil of Matawan; and Thomas Dzwil and his wife, Dawn of Matawan; and a brother, John Dzwil of Little Egg Harbor. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Family and friends are invited Monday, March 12, 2012, 2-4 & 7-9PM at Day Funeral Home, 361 Maple Place, Keyport; and Tuesday, 8:30AM at the funeral home, with a 9:15AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph RC Church, Keyport. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Keyport.

Other Notes

I was unable to find Joseph in the 1930 Federal Census.

Joseph's bridge-playing wife appeared in the society pages of many editions of The Journal in the late 1950's and throughout the 1960's. Her return home from the hospital with newborn son Thomas Michael was noted in the 20 Oct 1960 edition of The Journal (p 6 col 8). The birth of Joseph John was announced in the 10 Sep 1959 edition.