Glenn Zamorski was born October 5, 1942, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Elizabeth, NJ, the son of John and Angeline J. Zamorski. He had one brother, John. Glenn grew up in Elizabeth and attended School 11. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1960, where he was the drum major for the Polish Falcon Drum Corps and active in student government. He was the quarterback for the high school football team and his nickname was “Butterfingers”. According to his yearbook entry, he was involved with the biology club, alchemists’ club, yearbook, band, marching band, student main office staff, civil defense messenger and chess club. It also states that his ambition was to be a surgeon.
After graduation, Glenn went on to attend Tulane University and Upsala College where he majored in Pre-Med.
In May 1964, Zamorski enlisted in the US Marine Corps and left for boot camp in Parris Island, SC. He was voted the most outstanding Marine at Parris Island. He then entered the Marine Corps Aviation Cadet Training Program in Pensacola, FL. Glenn was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and received his wings in June 1967.
Zamorski was called to duty in Vietnam in October 1967, as a member of the First Marine Division Air Wing Group 36. He was stationed at Phu Bai and later on board the carrier USS Valley Forge. In February 1968, Zamorski was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for action above and beyond the call of duty. He had already earned 20 medals and attained the rank of First Lieutenant (1LT). Glenn was cited for landing his aircraft under heavy enemy fire in order to rescue four soldiers.
Zamorski was killed in action on June 11, 1968, at the age of 25, just days short of his first wedding anniversary to Georgine Bullino. He was killed in a helicopter accident in Quang Noah Province in South Vietnam.
A high requiem mass was held in St. Adalbert’s Church in Elizabeth, NJ, and followed by a burial in St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ.
He was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Holmdel NJ.
Sources: Angeline Zamorski (mother) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
