William Edward Nizzardi
"Bill"
US Navy Reserve | Service Number 861 69 57
December 21, 1924
in Blissfield, MI
Giuseppe “Joe” Nizzardi (d. 1933)
Marietta (Spadofora) Nizzardi
Blissfield High School (1942)
Western Michigan University (ex-1946)
College student
April 6, 1943
at Detroit, MI
September 9, 1943
from US Naval Hospital Mare Island
July 25, 1944
Killed in action at Tinian
July 25, 1944
Killed in action
113 East Adrian Street, Blissfield, MI – home of mother, Mrs. Marietta Nizzardi
Service & Campaigns
Boot camp at Naval Training Station Farragut, Idaho; hospital corps school at unknown location.
To Mare Island, California in summer of 1943. Joined First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton, September 1943.
Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines
Rank: Hospital Apprentice, First Class
MOS: Corpsman
Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines
Rank: Pharmacist’s Mate, Third Class
MOS: Corpsman
Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines
Rank: Pharmacist’s Mate, Third Class
MOS: Corpsman
Important Events:
July 25, 1944 – killed in action (gunshot, left temple) during a banzai attack at Tinian.
Received the Silver Star Medal for actions on this date.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the First Battalion, 24th Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan and Tinian Islands, Marianas Group, from 15 June to 25 July 1944. Courageous and loyal in the performance of duty throughout these hazardous operations, Nizzardi voluntarily made his way through the darkness to a unit under heavy enemy counterattack in the early morning of 25 July. Unhesitatingly proceeding from one casualty to another as the enemy continued to come toward our lines, he calmly cared for the wounded and administered blood plasma to many Marines on the front lines when intense enemy fire prevented their evacuation. Upon observing a machine gun crew wounded by Japanese hand grenades, he ran forward to treat them despite a number of enemy troops within 25 yards of the gun but was struck down by hostile fire upon reaching the men. His complete disregard for his own personal safety and his coolness and fortitude under fire reflect the highest credit upon Nizzardi and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Silver Star
Purple Heart
Campaign
Tinian (July 25, 1944)
Tinian (July 25, 1944)
Citation
See above
Service Stories
Please share a story if you knew this Marine.
I have read and re-read your letter and believe I can understand your feeling. Bill told me so much about you hat I felt I knew you.... Apparently, our letters reached you before the Navy was able to notify you. I am sorry that the news reached you in this manner.
Dr. Porter wrote you before and has written you again giving most of the details you asked about. I was working with Bill that morning but was not with him the moment he was hit. He did a superb job that morning, as he always did on anything he undertook. Like yourself I was almost sick and nearly lost faith in many things after that morning. There must be an explanation of why it should be he who was picked. Perhaps your Priest can find an answer.
Bill loved you all very dearly I know. For this reason, I'm sure he would want you to carry on as you would, were he coming back.... He was very proud that he had one sister who was leading a happy life, another the valedictorian of her class, and of his mother who loved to watch over the shop and youngsters who came there.
If there is anything else you wish to know or anything that I or any of the corpsmen here can do please let me know because we will be more than glad to help.
