Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1951 Lucky Bag:

William John Kozel

Hailing from the “Buckeye” State is not “Koz’s” only claim to fame, but it is the only one that we can check on . . . during his time here “Koz” has been the mainstay in many battalion and company sports . . . also responsible for helping to keep the company academic average high . . . equally quick with a smile or a slip-stick . . . always willing and able to lend a helping hand to the “buckets” . . . characteristics which make him well liked by his classmates . . . we are not so sure, however, what makes him so attractive to the drags . . . all we can do is to take his word . . . his aggressiveness and tact make Koz a great leader and an asset to the service. . . .

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He was a member of the 20th Company staff (winter).

Loss

William was lost on January 4, 1961 when the F3H Demon he was piloting crashed shortly after taking off from Miramar Naval Air Station on a training flight.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

William graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1944. He was also a member of the commando training group which was taught marching, calisthenics, and games useful for those entering the armed forces. Class Prophecy: William took a day off from selling stocks and bonds to run the concession stand at the circus.

He married Marian Och from Bridgeport on June 9, 1951. Their four children were William R., Frederick P., Karen Sue, and George M. In her obituary, it was stated that she was preceded in death by her second husband, Nick Kusic, who lovingly raised “All those children.” She also had two daughters by Mr. Kusic.

In 1930, William’s father Paul worked in a steel mill, mother Stella, brother Paul and sister Dorothy.

According to (now-defunct) Ejection History: “The investigation revealed that he had pulled the face curtain but the firing mechanism failed. His wife eventually sued McDonnell and won a fairly large settlement.” (A later newspaper reported the settlement was $75,000.)

From The Sandusky (OH) Register:

Kozel is survived by his widow, Marian Jane, four children and his mother of (1259 National Road) Bridgeport, Ohio.

William is buried in California.

Photographs

From his high school yearbook