|
Tweet |
 |
 |
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
| AHF Memorial, Quartermaster 2 Stephen Ganzberger, USN | ||||||||
Stephen Ganzberger was born on August 25th, 1924 in Wyandotte, MI. He grew up in Wyandotte, MI 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 U.S.S. LCI (L) 329 [1942-1944], and also the U.S.S. LCI (G) 65 [1944-1945]. By war’s end, he had been awarded 4 medals, 3 battle stars, 2 campaign bars, 2 ribbons, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, the Insignia for the Amphibious Forces, and Honor Guard responsibilities.
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 U.S.S. LCI (L) 65. In June 1944, his LCI was converted from a Landing Craft to a Gunboat, being renamed LCI (G) 65. Aboard the 65, he would participate in the Morotai Island and the Philippines Campaigns. He would be involved in the Leyte Gulf, Philippines Campaign in October 1944. 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. On October 24th, 1944 at around 9am, 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). The action in Leyte Gulf would earn Stephen his second Bronze Star. His last action of the war was covering landings of the Sixth US Army on White Beach #1 and #2 in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines on January 9th, 1945. He would be sent home four months later in May 1945 to recover from battle fatigue. He was later awarded a Silver Star because of an accumulation of all actions he performed during “Operation Cartwheel,” from Guadalcanal, to Bougainville, finally ending with the victory in Rabaul, New Britain. 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 6 children. He would become a Southgate City Councilman for 14 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 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.In addition to his wife Patricia, he is survived by his children - Stephen, Michael, Patrick, Heidi, Victoria and Barrie; and his seven grandchildren - Eric, Kelly, Abigail, Zach, Patricia, Caroline, and Geoffrey. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. |
See below to learn more about the Hungarian Americans buried at Arlington National Cemetery. To see where some of these heroes are buried, [download the map]!
IF YOU KNOW additional Hungarian Americans buried in Arlington National, please contact us! General Alexander Asbóth
Major-General Julius H. Stáhel Stahel received the US Congressional Medal of Honor for
his bravery at the Battle of Piedmont in Virginia. While wounded, the
General led a cavalry charge which led to a Union victory. In 1866 President
Andrew S/Sgt. Lászlo Rábel As he and a comrade prepared to clear the area, he heard
an incoming grenade as it landed in the midst of the team's perimeter.
With complete disregard for his own life, he threw himself on the grenade
and, covering it with his body, received the complete impact of the immediate
explosion. By gallantry at the cost of his life in the highest traditions
of the military service, he has reflected great credit upon himself and
the US Army. Capt. Ákos Dezsö
Székely
TEC5 Andrew Major As former president of Collins and Aikman Decorative Fabrics, he presided over the world's leading fabric group. He joined Mastercraft in 1946, became president in 1960, assumed ownership in 1969, and is responsible for the company's meteoric rise, which today provides employment for 3,500 and sales in excess of $350 million. The recipient of numerous industry and civic awards, including the first Lifetime Leadership Award from Dupont in 1995, which embodied his creativity, devotion and legendary status in the industry. In 2002 he received ''The Trailblazer Award'' and was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame. He will always be remembered for his wit, generosity and love of life.
In lieu of flowers the family asked for contributions to the Andrew Major
Scholarship Fund at Isothermal Community College, P.O. Box 804, 288 ICC
Loop Road, Spindale, N.C. 28160.
S/Sgt. George Alexander de Holczer
[Read his Memorial] by his loving Grandson, and AHF member, Zach Morris
Thomas C. Cseak, Sr. Maj. Francis Csutoros
Did you know there are at least 9 Hungarian American recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor? Read more about Maj. General Asboth and other Hungarian American Military Heroes on The Hungary Page's "Nobel Prize Winners and Famous Hungarians" Military Section. Related Links
Join online!
|
Stephen Ganzberger Memorial
His WWII journey began on the LCI (L) 329 from in the southern Solomon Islands where he would see his first action of the war on 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 97 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. This action earned him his first Bronze Star.
Asbóth was a General in the Hungarian Army. Following the Hungarian
democratic Revolt of 1848 against Austria, he followed Kossuth to the
United States in 1851. He offered his services to the Union when the Civil
War broke out. John C. Fremont appointed him a Brigadier General of Volunteers
and chief-of-staff. Seriously wounded three times during the war, he was
appointed to the rank of general in l864.
Hussar in the 1848 war of independence. Escaped with Kossuth to the United
States. Worked as a Journalist. At the outbreak of the 
Promoted
to Colonel and shortly afterwards, received his star as a brigadier general.
After Mosby's raid at Fairfax Court House, Lincoln summoned Stahel and
ordered him to take charge of the cavalry at Fairfax and raised him to
the rank of major general.
Laszlo earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam while serving in the 173rd
Airborne Brigade on November 13, 1968 “for conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action at the risk of his own life above and beyond
the call of duty.“ He distinguished himself while serving as leader
of Team Delta, 74th Infantry Detachment. Team Delta was in a defensive
perimeter conducting reconnaissance of trail networks when 
Captain
Szekely distinguished himself by heroic actions on 11 September 1968,
while serving as Commanding Officer with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th
Infantry near Ben Cui, Vietnam. His unit was established in its night
location when they came under intense fire from a numerically superior
enemy force. He immediately ran to the perimeter through heavy enemy fire
in order to direct his men’s suppressive fire, braving fierce. 
A
preeminent textile pioneer and legend in the textile industry, fondly
known as ''The King of the Mills.'' Born in Hungary and educated in Switzerland
and England, he served in the US Army as a decorated veteran of the Pacific
Theater. Born in Hungary in 1921, educated in Switzerland and England,
served in the U.S. Army as a decorated veteran of the Pacific Theater.
CWO2 Alexander Ferencz
QM2 Steven Ganzberger
STGSN Paul
Ivány
M Gy Sergeant Dale R Csizmadia
Attila Kovacs
John Joseph Kovacs
CW04 Michael Kovacs
CPL Stephen J. Kovacs
Capt. William Kovacs