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Eli Chupurdia
Lilah Crowe2020-01-15T16:50:55-06:00
- Name: Eli Chupurdia
- Location of Birth: Hibbing, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: July 30, 1920
- Date of Death: October 11, 2004
- Parents: Stojan Chupurdia & Mary (Merich) Chupurdia
- High School and Class:
- College:
- Highest Rank: SGT (Sergeant)
- Branch: Marine Corp
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: May 12, 1942
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge: October 1945
- Place of Discharge:
-
- Military Awards:
Purple Heart
- Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: Eli Chupurdia
Race: White
Age: 21
Birth Date: July 30, 1920
Birth Place: Hibbing, St. Louis, Minnesota, USA
Residence Place: Calumet, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: February 16, 1942
Employer: Inter State Iron Mining Co., Calumet, Itasca, Minnesota
Weight: 180
Height: 6-1
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Mary Medich, mother, Calumet, Minnesota
Newspaper article: July 1944 - Pfc. Eli Chupurdia Recovering From Wounds – Calumet relatives of Eli Chupurdia, wounded in Saipan, have received letters stating that Chupurdia is in a naval hospital and that he is recovering very well. He also participated in the Tarawa battle and the South Pacific campaign. His brother Nick is in the South Pacific and his brother Roddy is in the United States, stationed at Fort Bragg. Another brother was killed January 10, 1943 at Guadalcanal. Eli Chupurdia has been in service since May 12, 1942.
- Wars Involved:
World War II
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Eli Chupurdia attended schools in Coleraine, Minnesota then worked in the iron mines and as a lumberjack prior to entering the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations as a Sergeant. He returned to work in the mines on the Iron Range; married Ardythe Patterson in 1947. They moved to Silver Bay, Minnesota in 1955 where Eli was a member of Taconite Lodge 342 (Past Master), AAD Temple Shrine, VFW Post 6204 (Past commander), Emera Chapter 160 Order of the Eastern Star (Past Patron), North Shore Shrine Club (Past President), and the Disabled American Veterans (Life Member). He was an active community volunteer. In the early days of Silver Bay he did the masonry work on the City Hall, Rec Building and Masonic Hall, and operated the community fireworks. He was a founder of the Silver Bay Area Credit Union. As a Shriner he participated in circuses and parades. He was also in charge of the VFW Honor Guard taking part in Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, parades and many funerals.
Eli Chupurdia died in Two Harbors, Minnesota and is buried in Saw Tooth Mountain Cemetery, Silver Bay, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife, Ardythe; a son, James (Maxine) Chupurdia; daughters, Maxine (David) Tronnes, and Vickie Chupurdia; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Minnie (Jack) Kivlin and Ellen Cogger; brothers, Roddy (Verna) Chupurdia and Robert (Phyllis) Medich. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Joseph Medich; sister, Rose; brothers, Mehilo, Mike, Sam, Nick, Milan ‘Mullins’, and Dan.
- Tribal Affiliation(s):
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