ZAKRAJŠEKService & Sacrifice

A documented memorial chapter

SERVICE &
SACRIFICE

The Zakrajsheks who served.

From World War II to Korea, military service became part of this Minnesota family’s American story. Five Zakrajshek names appear on Sartell’s World War II memorial. One son was killed overseas. Another made the Navy a career. After losing her husband in combat, Vera joined the WAVES.

What you will not find here: invented ranks, imagined combat scenes or fake family portraits. Every detail is tied to a source; every gap stays visible.

5Zakrajshek names on Sartell’s WWII memorial
1Zakrajshek marked among the town’s war dead
22Years Edward served in the U.S. Navy

The centerpiece memorial

JOSEPH
ZAKRAJSHEK

1918—1945

Documented across independent public sources

Service
U.S. Army
Rank
Technician Fifth Grade
Unit
8th Engineer Squadron
Status
Killed in action
Place
Luzon, Philippines
Date
March 8, 1945 · age 26

The Sartell Historical Society identifies Joseph as a son of Frank Sr. and Matilda (Triller), born March 16, 1918. Its account and the Sacred Heart Cemetery transcription agree on his death date. The cemetery record identifies his rank and unit; the 1st Cavalry Division Association’s honor roll independently lists the same rank, unit and KIA date.

The archive does not claim an exact combat circumstance. That detail remains unwritten until a casualty file, unit history or wartime newspaper establishes it.

Sartell Historical Society ↗1st Cavalry Division honor roll ↗Sacred Heart Cemetery transcription ↗Read the evidence ledger →

Four connected service stories

Beyond a list
of names.

The memorial establishes who Sartell honored. Separate records determine how much more the archive can responsibly say about each person.

U.S. Navy · WWII & KoreaDocumented profile

Edward J. “Zak” Zakrajshek

Born October 25, 1925 in Sartell, Edward served 22 years in the Navy and reached Chief Petty Officer. A published community profile reports service in both Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II, service in Korea from 1950–54 and a World War II Victory Medal.

Joined
November 11, 1942
Discharged
June 1962
Later life
Santa Paula, California
Work
Flo-Air Heating & Air Conditioning

His service details are attributed by the newspaper to friend and fellow VFW member Richard Ruiz; a personnel file remains a valuable next source.

Community profile ↗Obituary ↗
U.S. Navy Women’s ReserveSupported account

Vera P. Zakrajshek

Vera was Joseph’s wife. A local history of Sartell’s veterans’ plaques reports that after learning Joseph had been killed, she joined the Women’s Reserve—commonly called the WAVES. Her name appears on Sartell’s WWII memorial roster.

Her rank, unit and service dates are not yet established. The archive is seeking her military file.

Sartell veterans’ plaques ↗Evidence and limits →
Sartell WWII memorialService details open

Anthony “Tony” Zakrajshek

Tony is listed on Sartell’s World War II memorial. His long paper-mill career and 1974–78 service as mayor of Sartell are documented separately.

The memorial listing does not, by itself, establish branch, rank, unit or service dates. Those remain active research targets.

Memorial roster ↗Tony’s evidence file →
Sartell WWII memorialService details open

Frank Zakrajshek Jr.

Frank Jr. is named as Joseph’s brother in the Sartell Historical Society account and appears on the town’s World War II memorial roster.

A separate veteran record must establish whether a burial profile belongs to this Frank Jr. Branch, rank, unit and service dates remain unpublished here.

Memorial roster ↗Sibling record ↗

A necessary boundary

Thomas is not placed among those who served.

A cemetery transcription reports Thomas E. Zakrajshek as 1929–1944. A historical account of Joseph’s March 1945 death, however, names Thomas among the surviving brothers. Those claims conflict.

The archive is seeking an original death record and obituary. Until evidence resolves the discrepancy, no cause of death or military service is assigned to Thomas.

Open the Thomas research file →

The shared record

Five names in bronze.

Sartell’s restored World War II plaque lists Anthony Zakrajshek, Edward Zakrajshek, Frank Zakrajshek Jr., Joseph Zakrajshek and Vera P. Zakrajshek. Joseph’s name bears a star identifying him among seven local people who died in the war.

The plaque is evidence of community remembrance. It is not a substitute for each person’s full military file.

See the published memorial roster

The work continues

Records still to find.

  1. 01

    Joseph’s complete Individual Deceased Personnel File and an identity-confirmed portrait

  2. 02

    Vera’s WAVES service record, rank and dates

  3. 03

    Tony’s branch, rank, unit and service dates

  4. 04

    Frank Jr.’s independently verified service record

Follow the active research →