Navy Federal Credit Union

Virgil Kimble and Frank Krywicki, both of Grand Rapids Michigan, were Brothers-in-Law, and received the Silver Star for actions (with different units) 6 days apart. Kimble’s obituary stated that he loved playing music and the guitar. That had to be very awkward for someone who had lost a hand in a grenade explosion. Also mentioned in his obituary is that he was followed in death two hours later by his brother-in-law, Frank Krywicki. They both passed away on January 9, 2010. Krywicki had quite an impact on the people he served with. He was mentioned several times in the book “From the Battlefield: Dispatches of a World War II Marine” by Dan Levin.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    24th Marines

    Division:

    4th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    March 4, 1945

    Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 46173

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Frank Krywicki (MCSN: 300745), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Sergeant of an Assault Demolition Platoon of Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 4 March 1945. After leading one of his assault squads to a front line rifle company pinned down by heavy enemy fire from a series of caves, Sergeant Krywicki directed his men in hurling satchel charges into the caves. Each time the charges were thrown into one of the caves the enemy pulled the fuse from the charges, rendering them harmless and, when a charge with a shorter fuse was thrown into the cave, it was hurled out of the cave and exploded immediately, killing the demolition man and seriously wounding Sergeant Krywicki. Although suffering from great pain, he prepared another satchel charge and threw it into the cave and succeeded in killing all Japanese within. By his courage, aggressiveness and determination, Sergeant Krywicki greatly aided his squad in completing their mission, and his conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.