John C. Napiorkowski Jr.
Private First Class John C. Napiorkowski Jr., 5307th Composite Unit (Merrill’s Marauders), U.S. Army.
Private First Class John C. Napiorkowski Jr. was born on February 7, 1923, in Paterson NJ to John and Veronica Napiorkowski. When he was very young, the family moved to Camden NJ, sometime after April of 1930. They were members of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church at South 10th & Mechanic Street. As a youth, he attended St. Joseph Grammar School, Hatch Junior High School, and Camden High School in Camden.
John Napiorkowski enlisted in the Army on February 19, 1943. He trained at Fort Dix NJ, Camp Livingston LA, Camp Polk, Camp Stewart GA, and Camp Claiborne LA, before going overseas to the China-Burma-India Theatre of Operations, where he was killed in action against the Japanese on July 27, 1944, at Myitkyina, fighting with the 5307th Composite Group, better known as Merrill’s Marauders. As the 475th Infantry Regiment was not organized until August 10, 1944, it is most likely that PFC Napiorkowski was serving with the 5307th Composite Group at the time of his death.
He was survived by his parents, of 1145 Liberty Street, Camden NJ, three brothers, Matthew, Edward, and Sigmund, and a sister, Veronica. His death was reported in the August 29, 1944 edition of the Camden Courier-Post.
Military Rites Set For War Hero
Camden Courier-Post —
Military honors will be accorded Pfc. John C. Napiorkowski Jr. at the funeral Saturday. Catholic services will be held at 11.30 a. m. in the funeral home at 1458 Mt. Ephraim avenue, with burial in St. Joseph’s cemetery, Chews Landing. Friends may call at the funeral home tomorrow night.
Private Napiorkowski was killed in action in Burma July 27, 1944, at the age of 21. He had entered the army four years previously and was overseas two months. He was born in Paterson, and attended Camden High school.
A guard of honor will be placed Friday night by Laskowski Wojtikowiak post 74, American Legion, which will also provide a firing squad at the cemetery.
Surviving are his father, John S.; his mother, Veronica; three brothers, Matthew, Zygmund and Edward, and a sister, Veronica, all of Camden.
Application for Headstone or Marker
Application for Headstone or Marker for Private First Class John C. Napiorkowski Jr.
St. Joseph Parish WWII Memorial
This bench, bearing the name of John C. Napiorkowski, is located at the St. Joseph Parish of South Camden NJ WWII Memorial, at Cooper River Park, Route 130 North and Park Drive, in Pennsauken, NJ.