Submitted by S/SA Member, Tom "Moose" Ferran
One of the greatest attributes our association has is the ability of our members to be able to contact their buddies
with whom they shared the battlefield. Perhaps the second greatest attribute is for a family member to learn more about their loved one (son, brother, father) from a member who served with that Marine Sniper.
We have yet another case where the son of a WWII Marine Scout/Sniper is learning more about his dad's experience in the Pacific.
Specifically, I was contacted by a gentleman named Joseph Trgovich, who indicated that his father, same name AKA "Trigger", was a Marine Scout/Sniper during the island hopping campaigns. Joe singled out Tarawa, as his father was severely wounded during that battle, only later in life in 1974 (age 52) to succumb to his wounds from the WP burns he had experienced.
As it turned out, Joe's dad was in the same squad as Sgt. (Capt. Ret.) Morris Owens while serving on Tarawa. I contacted Morris to request his permission to have Joe contact him. Morris knew exactly who Joe's dad was and in fact told stories about Joe's dad that was never told within the family. Joe is planning on visiting Morris in Oregon to learn more about his dad's experiences.
This is an incredible heart-felt story of a son's search for lost information on his father's ventures during WWII, and because of our association we were able to facilitate this link-up.
Both Joe's dad and Morris were Sgt's together. They were both wounded on Tarawa and both received the Silver Star Medal!
WOW, what a story and one for the next newsletter.
I will maintain contact with both Joe and Morris to learn more of their "reunion". I invited Joe
to our reunion in San Diego, and he is planning on attending to meet up with Morris. Also, I have offered Joe an Associate membership in our association in the name of his father. Since Joe is a Vietnam Era Veteran he counts towards our "Veteran Status Membership".