World War II Photos:
Leo George Ksiekievicz

Aloysius George Kuscavage – known to the Marine Corps as “Leo Ksiekievicz” and to his buddies as “Kotch” – was a volunteer from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He joined A/1/24th Marines in December 1942, and was one of only seven members of the company to serve in all four landings without being wounded once.

Many of his photographs depict buddies from western Pennsylvania – few of whom would be as lucky as Leo.

All photographs are courtesy of George Chernego, and are posted by permission.

Peter Wengren, another Pennsylvania Marine, at New River. Wengren transferred out of A/1/24 at Camp Pendleton, but fought at Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian with the 6th Marines.

Private Ksiekievicz, looking a little bewildered, c. 1942.

Ksiekievicz, unknown Marine, Raymond C. Motovidlak.

Motovidlak and Ksiekievicz, flanked by two unknown Marines, at a post chapel.

Raymond Carl Motovidlak (C/1/24th Marines), a hometown buddy from Wilkes-Barre. Motovidlak was killed during the landing on Saipan – his 21st birthday.

PFC Ksiekievicz shows off his new stripe at Camp Pendleton, 1943.

Peter Markovich (A/1/24) of Reading, PA.

Leo at the beach. He was also known as "Duke."

Mortarman Claude T. Henderson, one of Leo's squadmates.

Two future sergeants – Mike Frihauf and Edward "Butch" Horan – at Camp Pendleton. Both received Silver Star Medals, and both were killed in action.

Weapons platoon buddies: Howard Kerr, Eddie Lykins, Howard Haff.

Eddie Lykins gives a touch-up shave to Edgar Collins, Camp Pendleton.

Training With The Tubes

"Hanging" a 60mm shell in the tube, ready to fire.

"Fire" – and the round is headed downrange.

Bartholomew "Taxi" Wanagaitis uses hand signals to move the squad.

Claude Henderson and Eddie Lykins in the boondocks.

Kseikievicz, Wilbur "Bill" Plitt, and Taxi Wanagaitis strike a combat pose

Smoke break with Kotch, Taxi, and Bill Plitt

Taxi Wanagaitis, Leo Ksiekievicz, Claude Henderson

Plitt, Ksiekievicz, and Henderson pose in defensive positions at Camp Pendleton. Note barracks buildings in background.

Bill Plitt and Claude Henderson

Kotch and Taxi, buddies from western Pennsylvania

A heated (and humorous) boondocks debate between Taxi and Kotch

Leo and crew climbing practice cargo nets

Kotch and Plitt coming over the side

Leo "defends" his position from an aggressive Claude Henderson

Having "dispatched" Taxi, Henderson finishes off Bill Plitt with a knife.
Henderson was killed at Tinian; Wanagaitis at Iwo Jima.

Buddies On Liberty

Back: John Czepiel, Tom Johnson, Kenneth Shea, JJ Franey
Front: Kermit Shaw, Leo Ksiekievicz

Beers At The Café

Back: Lester Kincaid, Dave Spohn, Frank Tucker, Pete Markovich, Anthony Giamanco (B Co.), John O’Brien (HQ Co.)
Front: John Gilroy (B Co.), John “Pappy” Meeks (B Co.), John Yonkers, Leo Ksiekievicz, Frank Gosiewski

Beach Day for Able Company

Back: Amedeo Izzo, Tom McCay, Howie Haff, Claude Henderson, George Smith, Howard Kerr, Merle Geesaman
Front: Lester Kincaid, Pete Markovich, Bill Plitt, George Hall, Frank Gosiewski

Mortars at Camp Maui

Back: Kenneth Shea, Bill Plitt, Bill Imm, Taxi Wanagaitis, Ed Hackett
Front: Dave Spohn, Leo Ksiekievicz, Frank Gosiewski

Survivors of the mortar section after Iwo Jima

Groups of First Battalion veterans pose with the regimental memorial at the end of the war.

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