Gallery
veterans of the game
Centennial Marines
Edward (Eddy) Gazel
Eddy is 100 years old as of May 2021. He served in the Second Tank Battalion, Second Marine Division during WWII. Born and raised in Detroit. Following Recruit training assigned to Medium tank Company and trained in Maui, HI. A veteran of invasions of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa (Ie Shima). Received battlefield promotion to Sergeant. Bronze Star recipient with a citation from General Howland “Howling Mad” Smith. Ed’s unit was also assigned to maintain security in Nagasaki following the Japanese surrender. Eddie is widowed and living in Lincoln Park MI.
Art Russell
Arthur (Art) Russell's 100th birthday was celebrated on April 2021. Art also served in the Second Tank Battalion, Second Marine Division. He too was born and raised in Detroit. Following recruit training in San Diego, CA he was assigned to a Light Tank Company. A veteran of Invasions of Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. At war’s end was assigned to a unit preparing for the invasion of Japan. Art is also a veteran of the Korean War, having volunteered for duty with the US Navy in 1950. Art is widowed and lives near his children in Dearborn, MI.
Tony Procassini
Tony Procassini celebrated his 100th birthday on April 2021, born in Lambertville New Jersey in April, 1921. Tony enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in November, 1943. He was trained as a Mortar Crewman and assigned to the First Marine Division. He served in the Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment under legendary Marine Colonel “Chesty” Puller. His unit was dispatched to the Pacific Theater at Peleliu. On April 1, 1945, the First Marine Division landed on Okinawa where he was wounded in action. Afterwards he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and reassigned to a Marine unit in Tsingtao, China. There, the Marines fought a pitched battle against Chinese Communist forces. Tony and his late Wife Marguerite raised nine daughters and one son. He is a life-long resident of the Ann Arbor area, where he attended the University of Michigan and was a successful businessman until his retirement at the age of 93.
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veterans of the game
