Edward Rufus Zurga

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Awarded for military service for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found:
No  Alabama Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
Yes National Cemetery Interment Control Form, QMC Form 14
No  Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
Yes WWII Draft Card Data

National Cemetery Interment Control Form, QMC Form 14
Interment in the GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL Cemetery (San Bruno, California)
Name: ZURGA, Edward R. - State: ALA - Rank: Pfc. - Serial No. 34582992
Religious Emblem: Latin Cross
Service Data: 333 Inf Regt, 84 Inf Div, U. S. Army, WWII
Date Of Birth: Aug 11 1922 - Date of Death: Feb 28 1945 - Date of Interment: Apr 22 1949
Grave Location:  Sec or Plot: O, Grave or Lot No. 1296 - Dates Of Service: Died on A.D.
Remarks: WWII deceased returned from Margraten - Aachen, Holland. Headstone Form mailed to next of kin
Signed by: A. J. Nettke, Supt.

WWII Draft Card Data
Name: Edward Rufus Zurga
Race: White  -  Age: 19  -  Relationship to Draftee: Self
Birth Date: August 11, 1922  -  Birth Place: Grove Hill Clarke, Clarke County, Alabama, USA
Residence Place: Coy, Wilcox County, Alabama, USA
Registration Date: June 30, 1942  -  Registration Place: Coy, Wilcox County, Alabama, USA
Employer: C E Parnell
Weight: 165  -  Complexion: Dark
Eye Color: Brown  -  Hair Color: Brown  -  Height: 6' 1"
Next of Kin: Anna Zurga

Note 1: The death location, "Area of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany" is based on the best information available at this time. This location was estimated based on:

A. The Find A Grave website grave marker photo shows his assigned unit as the 333rd Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division, date of birth as August 11, 1922 and date of death on February 28, 1945.

B. His National Cemetery Interment Control Form, QMC Form 14 shows his assigned unit as the 333rd Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division, date of death on February 28, 1945.

C. The location of his unit, the 84th Infantry Division, was rapidly advancing Eastward in the Area of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany during February 1945.

Anyone with a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - See Note 2

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Note 2. Information is sourced from the public domain and may be copied and distributed without permission.