Marion "Eddie" Edward Bjelajac

2021-02-11T15:43:06-06:00
Army Badge
  • Name: Marion "Eddie" Edward Bjelajac
  • Location of Birth: Calumet, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: February 27, 1926
  • Date of Death: October 23, 1999
  • Parents: Mike Bjelajac & Dorothy (Safar) Bjelajac
  • High School and Class: 1944 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: PFC (Private First Class)
  • Branch: Army
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: July 22, 1944
  • Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Date of Discharge: August 11, 1945
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:
    Purple Heart
    ETO (European Theatre Offensive) Ribbon
    2 Battle Stars

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Marion Edward Bjelajac
    Race: White
    Age: 18
    Birth Date:
    Birth Place: Calumet, Minnesota, USA
    Residence Place: Calumet, Minnesota, Itasca, USA
    Registration Date: January 27, 1944
    Employer: Not employed
    Weight: 135
    Height: 5-7
    Complexion: Light
    Eye Color: Blue
    Hair Color: Brown
    Next of Kin: Mike Bjelajac, Calumet, Minnesota

    WW II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
    Name: Marion E. Bjelajac
    Birth Year: 1926
    Race: White
    Nativity State or Country: Minnesota
    State of Residence: Minnesota
    County or City: Itasca
    Enlistment Date: July 22, 1944
    Enlistment State: Minnesota
    Enlistment City: Fort Snelling
    Branch: No branch assignment
    Branch Code: No branch assignment
    Grade: Private
    Grade Code: Private
    Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
    Component: Selectees (Enlisted men)
    Source: Civil life
    Education: 4 years of high school
    Civil Occupation: _____
    Marital status: Single without dependents
    Height: 00
    Weight: 000

    Newspaper article - Dec 1944 – Pvt. Edward Bjelajac, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bjelajac, is home on a 12-day furlough. He is stationed at Camp Hood, Texas.

    Newspaper article - Aug 1945 – Pfc. Marion Bjelajac, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bjelajac of Calumet, was recently honorably discharged from the Army following 13 months of service. He was in England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany with the 11th Armored Division. He suffered shrapnel wounds while in central Germany, and wears the Purple Heart, the E.T.O. Ribbon and two Battle Stars. Pfc. Bjelajac was a student of Greenway high school before he entered the service.

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Marion Edward Bjelajac married Irene Price and the couple lived in Edina, Minnesota. He was a barber most of his life, then later worked at Control Data Co. until his retirement.

    Marion Bjelajac died in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota (plot 6-A, O, 822). He is survived by his wife, Irene; daughter Terry; grandson Erik; and brother George (Beverly). He was preceded in death by his parents.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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