Ivan Gust Christ Sadowska

Ivan Sadowska was reported missing in action and presumed dead on November 8, 1942. He was the first Marshfield soldier to lose his life in World War II.

Ivan was born and raised in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He lived for a short time in Wisconsin Rapids during his teens. He worked at Weinbrenner Shoe Factory until joining the military. Sadowska enlisted in the Army at age 22 and was inducted on October 29, 1941. He was trained as a tank operator with an armored force unit at Fort Knox, Kentucky and also in New Jersey before heading out to Northern Ireland in May of 1942.

The vessel Ivan was on board sank during military action upon landing on the northern coast of Africa. Ivan never married and had no children. He was survived by his parents, and a brother who was 17 at the time of Ivan’s death.

Written by: Aaron Swanson, East Junior High School