Karl Nikolas Watcke
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 962691
January 9, 1926
in Bridgeport, CT
Johann “John” Watcke
Sophie (Skiber) Watcke
Details unknown
Working for father, details unknown
March 29, 1944
at Springfield, MA
September 19, 1944
from 65th Replacement Draft
March 1, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima
March 1, 1945
Killed in action
496 Madison Road, Bridgeport, CT – address of parents, John & Sophie Watcke
Service & Campaigns
Boot camp at Parris Island with Third Recruit Battalion. Outposted to Camp Lejeune for infantry training, and assigned to 65th Replacement Battalion for transit overseas.
Joined Charlie Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Maui on 19 September 1944.
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private
MOS: 604 (Machine Gunner)
Important Events:
March 1, 1945 – killed in action (shell fragment, head) when a mortar shell exploded in his gun position
March 2, 1945 – buried in Plot 1, Row 17, Grave 826, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery
Individual Decorations
Medal
Purple Heart
Campaign
Iwo Jima (March 1, 1945)
Citation
January 26, 1926 (Bridgeport, CT) – March 1, 1945; 19 years old
Unmarried
Local address: 496 Madison Road, Bridgeport
Enlisted on January 10, 1944
Serial number 962691
4th Marine Division, 24th Marines, 1st Battalion, Company C
MOS: 604; Machine Gun Crewman
Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Parents are Johann “John” (1890-1972) and Sophie Skieber Watcke (1888-1979), both born in Austria. Sixth born of seven children. Siblings are John (1911-?) – 15 years older, Henry (1912-1969) – 13 years older, Joseph – 9 years older, Marie – 7 years older, Louis – 1 year older and Albert (1928-2018) – 3 years younger. 1 Worked for Joseph Watcke in Bridgeport prior to the service. 3