| Sources |
- [S711] U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941.
MRZLAK, Clarence Charles, Seaman 1c, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Anna Mrzlak, 1449 S. 16th St., Omaha
- [S713] U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949.
Name: MRZLAK, Clarence Charles
Service Number: 756 99 53
Rating: S1c(AOM), V6
Branch of Service: V6, USNR
"Received"
Date: 4-20-45
"From U.S.S. GENERAL BUNDY for duty."
- [S732] Obituary of Nicholas James MRZLAK.
Nicholas died Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at his home in Columbus. Nicholas James Mrzlak was born May 28, 1914 in Omaha, Nebraska to Nicholas Charles and Barbara (Cepuran) Mrzlak. He married Theresa German on January 10, 1942 in Omaha. The couple resided in Omaha for a short time and then moved to Columbus where he and Mrs. Mrzlak reared their family.
He was involved in the real estate and insurance business and was owner of the Country Club Inn Motel in Columbus. During his later years he and Mrs. Mrzlak resided in Redondo Beach, California. They recently returned to Columbus where he wished to live out his final days. Nicholas was a member of St. Bonaventure Church, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and a past president of the Optimist Club.
He is survived by: Wife: Theresa (German) Mrzlak of Columbus, NE Daughter: Margaret (Mrs. Joe) Matejka of Houston, TX Daughter: Maxine (Mrs. David) Brown of Laguna Hills, CA Daughter: Barbara (Dr. Gerald) Brundo of Omaha, NE Son: Jim Mrzlak of Center, CO Daughter: Betty (Mrs. Ron) Mann of Mission Viejo, CA Daughter: Carol (Mrs. Peter) Rygol of Olympia, WA Daughter: Paulette (Mrs. John) Power of Chicago, IL Daughter: Rosemarie Reidel of Greely, CO Daughter: Terese (Mrs. Leon) Barden of Redondo Beach, CA Son: Gregg (Lydia) Mrzlak of San Antonio, TX Daughter: Suzanne (Mrs. Dave) Melliger of Omaha, NE Twenty-eight Grandchildren Twenty-five Great Grandchildren Half Sister: Suzanne Modlin of Omaha, NE
He was preceded in death by: Parents: Nicholas and Barbara (Cepuran) Mrzlak Son-in-law: Joe E. Lee Brother: John Mrzlak Half Brother: Clarence Mrzlak Grandson: Travis Melliger Our special gratitude to the Columbus Community Hospital Hospice nurses, especially, Peggy, Mary and Jody; and aides, Cokie and Kerri for their attentive and loving care and support.
- [S794] U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939 - 1945.
MRZLAK CLARENCE C
- [S659] 1940 U.S. Census, Nebraska, Douglas, Omaha, Sixteenth Census of the United States Schedule; Online Images, Supervisor's District No. 2, Enumeration District No. 94-64, Sheet 11B.
Lines 55 - 57
- [S959] Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-2004.
Name: Clarance C Mrzlak
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 20 Jul 1925
Birth Place: Douglas, Nebraska, USA
Parent 1 Name: Nicholas Mrzlak
Certificate Number: 14550
Birth Certificate Type: Normal
- [S961] United States Navy Memorial, Navy Log.
SANGAMON
Friday, May 4, 1945
Kamikaze Attacks near Kerama Retto
On May 4, Sangamon put into Kerama Retto to rearm. Loading, frequently interrupted by the presence of bogies in the area, was not completed until evening. ... At 1830, the CVE got underway. Japanese attackers, however, were soon reported only some 29 miles off. Land-based fighters were vectored out to intercept the enemy planes and shot down nine. One got through and, at about 1900, began circling toward a position on Sangamon's port quarter. ... The CVE went into a hard left turn to avoid the enemy and to maneuver into a launching position. She then opened fire and was joined by her escorts. The enemy crashed into the water some 25 feet off the starboard beam. ... Other bogies followed the first. At 1925, another broke through the interceptor screen; ran into clouds to avoid antiaircraft fire; then came out and, with increased speed, headed for Sangamon. At 1933, the kamikaze dropped his bomb and crashed into the center of the flight deck. The bomb, and parts of the plane, penetrated that deck and exploded below-hurling flames and shrapnel in all directions. Initial damage was extensive; fires broke out on the flight deck, the hangar deck, and in the fuel deck; communications from the bridge were lost within 15 minutes; and the ship was soon out of control. ... Sangamon's swinging through the wind caused the flames and smoke to change direction, spreading the fires. By 2015, however, after steering had established steering control and brought the ship back to a course which helped the crew fight the myriad fires scattered over the CVE. But water pressure was low; the fire-main and risers had ruptured. CO2 bottles were brought into action. Nearby ships came alongside to assist. By 2230, all fires were under control. ... Communication with other units had been regained; at first through Fullam's radios, then by using a VHF channel in the sole remaining plane. ... At 2320, Sangamon with 11 dead, 25 missing, and 21 seriously wounded, got underway to return to Kerama Retto for temporary repairs.
Lost At Sea Log
Number of sailors in this log: 6
AOM 1c David Avery USN
F 1c Calvin Berry USN
Sea 1c Ted Clark USN
Sea 1c Joseph Conner USN
AOM 2c Fred Giles USN
Sea 1c Clarence Mrzlak USNR
- [S563] 1930 U.S. Census, Nebraska, Douglas, Omaha, Fifteenth Census of the United States Schedule; Online Images, Enumeration District No. 28-63, Supervisor's District No. 7, Sheet No. 6B.
Lines 83 thru 86
- [S1199] U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S., Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942-1949.
Name: Clarence C. Mrzlak
Rank: Seaman First Class
Residence Place: Nebraska
Service Number: 7569953
Military Branch: U.S. Navy
War: World War II
Cemetery: Honolulu Memorial
Burial Place: Honolulu, Hawaii
- [S1361] U.S., Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Unaccounted-for Remains, Group B (Unrecoverable), 1941-1975.
Name: Clarence C Mrzlak
Residence Place: Nebraska
War: World War II
Military Service Branch: US Navy
MIA Place: Japan
Death Date: 4 May 1945
Location Lost: Japan
- [S562] 1920 U.S. Census, Nebraska, Douglas, Omaha, Fourteenth Census of the United States Schedule; Online Images, Supervisor's District No. 2, Enumeration District No. 50, Sheet No. 14A.
Lines 42 thru 45
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1925 - 1945 (19 years)
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