The Last US Soldier Killed During World War II: A Complex Legacy
World War II, one of the most significant conflicts in history, ended with the formal surrender on September 2, 1945, on the USS Missouri. However, the question of who the last US soldier killed in WW2 was raises intriguing questions about the duration of the war. This article explores the different perspectives and historical accounts that point to various individuals as potential candidates for this distinction.
Kinshichi Kozuka: A Lengthy Holdout
One of the more unique cases involves Private 1st Class Kinshichi Kozuka. Kozuka held out with Lt. Onoda in the Phillipines for an astounding 28 years after the end of World War II. Tragically, he was killed in a shootout with Philippine police in October 1972. While Kozuka's story is one of an extended holdout rather than a direct combat casualty, it highlights the ongoing nature of the war in some regions long after the formal surrender.
American Casualties and the Soviet Invasion of Manchuria
A thorough examination of the end of World War II also points to scenarios involving American casualties in regions not yet fully involved in the final surrender negotiations. The Soviet invasion of Manchuria following the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima marked the beginning of the Soviet involvement in the war. The operation continued until August 23, 1945. Given that the last American combat casualty was reported on August 18, there is a case to be made for the possibility that a Soviet or Japanese soldier killed in this region could be considered the last US soldier of WW2.
Sergeant Anthony Marchione: The Last American Air Combat Casualty
Another strong candidate for the last American soldier killed in World War II is Sergeant Anthony Marchione of the United States Army Air Force. Marchione was killed on September 2, 1945, nearly three days after the official surrender, marking the formal end of the war. This event stands out as one of the final air combats in the European theater, where he blewed to death while airborne over Tokyo, Japan, past 2 PM on August 18, 1945. Marchione, from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, is reported to have been the last American killed in aerial combat during WW2.
Private First Class Charles "Charley" Havlat: The Last European Casualty
Private First Class Charles "Charley" Havlat, a member of the 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, is another notable name. He was killed in action in present-day Volary, Czech Republic, just minutes after the Armistice signing between Germany and the Western Allies. Havlat was on a reconnaissance patrol when he and his squad were ambushed by German soldiers, ultimately falling victim to small arms fire. Havlat's death marks another contender for the last American combat casualty in the war.
The Wartime Ends in Guam
A personal account, told by the author's Uncle Patrick Bates, provides an intriguing final note. Bates spent time in Guam and was unaware that the war had ended until a sniper shot him. This incident underscores the nuanced and regional nature of the war's end, highlighting that the cessation of hostilities was not uniform across all theaters of operation.
These stories illustrate the complex and varied nature of the World War II's end, with different regions experiencing the conclusion of hostilities at different times. While the formal surrender on September 2, 1945, marked the start of the post-war period for many, for others, the war was far from over, with individuals fighting in various theaters even after the official end of the conflict.