Purple Heart, “Joseph R. Krenek, S1c, USNR”

Purple Heart, slot brooch, hand-engraved “Joseph R./Krenek/S1c/USNR”.

With the original CINCPACFLT April 16, 1944-dated forwarding letter for the Purple Heart to Krenek and a copied NARA form listing Krenek’s awards as: Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Krenek’s grave marker (1920-1972) in the Bohemian National Cemetery, in Chicago, shows him serving as an Aviation Ordnanceman third class, which is verified by his service record.

Krenek, serving with Carrier Air Support Unit Twenty, is listed in the unit history as wounded in a devastating Japanese air raid on Roi Island (Kwajalein Atoll) on 12 February 1944. The ammunition dump and about 85% of the supplies stored on the island were destroyed by Japanese bombers.