Nick "Kosta" Marjanovich

Jeremy Anderson2021-06-24T16:58:12-05:00

Name: Nick "Kosta" Marjanovich
Location of Birth: Marble, Minnesota
Date of Birth: November 19, 1923
Date of Death: KIA - April 12, 1945 in Okinawa
Parents: Mike Marjanovich & Mary (Shanta) Marjanovich
High School and Class: 1942 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
College:
Highest Rank: PFC (Private First Class)
Branch: Marine Corp
Other Branch:
Date Sworn In: May 24, 1943
Place Sworn In:
Date of Discharge:
Place of Discharge:
Military Awards:
Purple Heart
Additional Navy-Marine Corps Awards

Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: Nick Marjanovich
Race: White
Age: 18
Birth Date: November 19, 1923
Birth Place: Marble, Minnesota, USA
Residence Place: Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: June 20, 1942
Employer: Pickands Mather Co., Danube Mine, Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota
Weight: 155
Height: 5-11
Complexion: Light brown
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Mary Vekich, Bovey, Minnesota

Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – September 24, 1943 – “Hello Mr. Barnes: I’m dropping you a line now while I have the time. I want to thank you very much for the Bovey Press, and I really appreciate it very much. California is real hot and dry, and I don’t care very much for it. I don’t think any state could be better than Minnesota. Jacobson and I met Mickey Radosevich here, and he still looks the same, and we sure were happy to see someone from Bovey. I didn’t see Nickie Zobenica or Jimmy Unger for some time now, because he got changed to a different camp, but I hope we can see him soon, because it’s really a pleasure to see someone from good ol’ Bovey and talk over our old days at home. Boy, there sure is a lot of noise here in our hut, everybody’s shouting over a big poker game. I hope they don’t get caught for we’ll all pay for it. Here in the Marines, life isn’t so bad once a fellow gets used to it, and we all think the Marines are the best outfit in the world. Well, I guess I gotta fall out now, and again I thank you for the Bovey Press, which I enjoy very much. Your friend, Nick Marjanovich.”

Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – October 22, 1943 – “Dear Friends: I thought I’d take off a little time to write this letter. I’m getting the Bovey Press regularly now and I sure enjoy reading it. I really enjoy Ann’s letters the most for I think she is a swell writer and the letters are very interesting. Me and Jacobson are still together and I hope it will be that way for a long while. California is real hot, with no rain. Boy, I wouldn’t live in this state for anything, nothing but Minnesota for me. I met quite a few boys from the Iron Range that I knew, and it sure feels good to meet someone from around home. I suppose Bovey is quiet, but it’s still home for me. The Marine Corps is pretty strict in the world and I’m glad I’m in it. Well, I have to sign off now for I got to go to work as usual. I really appreciate the Bovey Press and keep up the good work and thanks a million for it. Sincerely, Nick (Kosta) Marjanovich.”

Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – February 11. 1944 – “January 22, 1944 – Dear Friends, I just got through reading some old Bovey Presses, which I had in my seabag. I didn’t receive any papers for about 2 months now. I guess I move around too much. I like the paper very much so please keep it coming. I’m in the South Pacific now, and it isn’t too bad here. But nothing can beat the states. I’m sorry I didn’t get around to write more often. I certainly appreciate the fine work that you’re doing there, back in God’s country (Minnesota) which I tell everybody over here. Well, I guess I’ll close now for I have to get busy and wash some clothes now. Thanks a million for the paper. Note my new address. Nick (Marjanovich).”

Newspaper article: 1944 – “Got a letter today from Pfc. Nick Marjanovich and he said he was walking up to Mickey Radosevich’s camp when someone yelled at him, and here it was Mike Bibich. Said he was so ticked. Said Mike was only going to be there for a short time. Said Swede Carlson from Coleraine was only about 8 miles from him, so he was going to look him up. Nick said they had a nice Christmas dinner.”

Newspaper article: 1944 – “Bob Vekich of Bovey received a telegram from the War Department last Saturday telling him that his stepson, Nick Marjanovich, was wounded in action the 25th of June. The young man was in the South Pacific. His mother died last winter and there are four brothers and two sisters at the home in Bovey.”

Newspaper article: 1944 – “Got a letter from Pfc. Nick Marjanovich. He had been wounded in the shoulder, but is feeling o.k. now. Said he was glad to get out of the hospital.”

Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – 17 November 1944 – “October 23, 1944 – Dear Ann, I should have written sooner, but I didn’t have time. I’ve moved back to my outfit and I’m back on schedule as usual. Yesterday I had a day off, and I went and located John Jacobson. We sure were glad to see each other. Jacobson told me that he had seen Nickie Zobenica and Mickey Radosevich. As soon as I get another day off, I’m going to see if I can locate them. It sure is hot around here. I’d give anything for some of that Minnesota weather. I imagine it must be pretty chilly back home now. That’s just the way I like it. When I saw Jacobson yesterday, he gave me about 6 Bovey Presses. I brought them back to my camp, and I really enjoyed reading them. I never got any mail for about 5 weeks now. I guess it must be all mixed up since I’ve moved. I imagine Bovey is pretty quiet. It sure will be a big day when everyone comes home again. It seems as though quite a few boys have been on furlough. I guess it will be quite some time before Mickey, Nickie, John J. and I ever get a furlough. I hope I’m wrong. We have it pretty easy now, but I guess we’ll be working harder. I sure hope I get some mail today. It sure takes time to get here. Well, Ann, I guess I’m out of words, so I’ll close now. I really enjoy your article in the paper. Everybody enjoys your writing. You are doing a swell job. Well, Ann, so long for now. Your friend, Nick Marjanovich.”

Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – May 18, 1945 – “A telegram was received here by Robert Vekich Wednesday from the War Department that his stepson, Nick Marjanovich, was killed in action April 12th on Okinawa. Nick has been in service over two years and leaves, besides his stepfather, four sisters and two brothers. His mother died a year ago in January.”

Nick Marjanovich was reburied in the National Memorial Garden of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii on March 2, 1949.

Wars Involved:
World War II

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:

Tribal Affiliation(s):