Date of birth:

August 25th, 1924 (Wyandotte/Michigan, United States)

Date of death:

May 20th, 2011 (Southgate/Michigan, United States)

Buried on:

Arlington National Cemetery
Plot: 8-RR. Row: 5. Grave: 4.

Service number:

623 45 65

Nationality:

American (1776 - present, Republic)

Stephen Ganzberger was born of Hungarian descent on August 25th, 1924 in Wyandotte, Michigan. He grew up in Wyandotte and enlisted in the Navy the day after his 18th birthday, August 26th, 1942, during World War II. He would see action in the Pacific Theater aboard two different LCI’s (Landing Craft, Infantry) and be on active duty for 36 straight months. He served aboard the USS LCI(L)-329 [1942-1944], and the USS LCI(G)-65 [1944-1945].

His WWII journey began on the LCI(L)-329 in the southeastern Solomon Islands where he would see his first action of the war in Rendova Harbor, New Georgia Island. On the afternoon of July 4th, 1943, while his LCI Group was landing Army troops of the 169th Infantry onto the beaches of Rendova Island, sixteen Japanese Mitsubishi bombers in attack formation bombed the Allied landing beaches. He shot down one of the twelve bombers that were eventually shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
While on the LCI(L)-329, he would later land troops on the Russell Islands; New Georgia Island; Kolombangara; Vella Lavella; and Treausury Islands (Stirling), Bougainville.
In January 1944, he transferred for duty aboard the USS LCI(L)-65. In June 1944, his LCI was converted from a Landing Craft Large to a Gunboat, being renamed LCI(G)-65. Aboard the 65, he would participate in the Green Islands landings (Nissan Island), Morotai Island landings (Dutch New Guinea), and the Philippines Campaign.
He would be involved in the Leyte Gulf, Philippines landings on October 20, 1944, part of the initial A-Day first waves on Red Beach. From his position in San Pedro Bay on the LCI(G)-65, he witnessed General Douglas MacArthur’s famous October 20th "return" landing on Red Beach, Leyte Island. Four days later, on October 24th, 1944 at around 9 AM, a kamikaze pilot made a suicide crash dive into the stern of the LCI(G)-65, killing Stephen’s friend Lester Eugene "Paul" Aiston (SC3c).
His last action of the war was covering landings of the Sixth US Army on White Beach #2 and #3 in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines on January 9, 1945. He would be sent home four months later in May 1945 to recover from a diagnosed case of Combat Fatigue.
Stephen Ganzberger was honorably discharged as a Quartermaster 2nd Class from the Navy on August 15th, 1945.

Upon returning to civilian life, Stephen Ganzberger worked as a sheet metal, heating and air conditioning mechanic for more than 50 years. He married his wife Patricia Ganzberger on April 28th, 1951, and they remained together for 60 years. They eventually had six children.
He would become a Southgate City Councilman for fourteen years from 1970 to 1984, in Southgate, Michigan. He was elected as a credit union president, and later as president of Sheet Metal Workers Local 80. He was instrumental in many community and fundraising projects, and also served as the employee representative to the Civil Service Commission. His passion was playing golf, the sport he loved. He always kept devoutly close to his faith. He loved and cherished his family most of all.
When he retired, he became a licensed builder and a heating, ventilating and air conditioning contractor. He also served as liaison to the Capital Improvements Commission, where he provided input into the construction of City Hall, Police & Fire departments, and the courthouse.
The World War II veteran and former Southgate councilman died on Friday, May 20, 2011. He was 86.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

He also was entiteld to wear the Combat Action Ribbon and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

Promotions:
December 27th, 1942: Seaman 1st Class;
January 25th, 1943: Seaman 2nd Class;
August 1st, 1943: Seaman 1st Class;
December 1st, 1943: Quartermaster 3rd Class;
June 29th, 1944: Seaman 1st Class;
October 1, 1944: Quartermaster 3rd Class;
February 1st, 1945: Quartermaster 2nd Class;

Career:
August 26th, 1942: U.S.N.H., Detroit, Michigan;
August 26th, 1942: NTE, Great Lakes, Illinois;
October 9th, 1942: NOB, Norfolk;
October 11th, 1942: Amphibious Training Base, Portsmouth;
October 15th, 1942: CO LCP (L);
October 17th, 1942: C & FO LCI (L) 329;
November 8th, 1942: U.S.S. LCI (L) 329;
January 16th, 1944: U.S.S. LCI (G) 65;
May 21st, 1945: Naval Base Hospital;
July 3rd, 1945: USNH Great Lakes;
August 15th, 1945: Honorable discharge.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Quartermaster 2nd Class (Petty Officer 2nd class)

Awarded on:

August 15th, 1945

Awarded for having been honorably discharged from the United States Navy.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 2013

Received a Presidential Letter of Gratitude from Barack Obama (December 2013).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Seaman 2nd Class

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Seaman 2nd Class

Awarded with a silver campaign star (for five bronze campaign stars) for "NEW GEORGIA" (New Georgia Group operation June 20th, - Ocotber 16th, 1943), "BOUGAINVILLE" (Treasury-Bougainville operation October 27th, - December 15th, 1943), "SOLOMON ISLANDS" (Consolidation of Solomon Islands February 8th, 1943 - March 15th, 1945), "BISMACK ARCHIPELANGO" (Bismarck Archipelago operation June 25th, 1943 - May 1st, 1944) and "WESTERN NEW GUINEA" (Western New Guinea operations April 21st, 1944 - January 9th, 1945)

Decoration awarded while on service on USS LCI(L)-329, with one bronze campaign star. Additional campaigns while on service with USS LCI(G)-65.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Quartermaster 2nd Class (Petty Officer 2nd class)

Unit:

USS LCI(G)-65, LCI Flotilla Five, U.S. Navy

Awarded with two bronze campaign stars for "LEYTE" and "LUZON".

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Zachary Stephen Morris
• Photo 2: Zachary Stephen Morris
• - Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service
  - Presidential Letter of Gratitude
  - Transcript of Naval Service
  - Find a Grave
  

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