NICHOLAS ZAK
Nicholas Zak was born at home 14-Sep 1930 in St. Louis Missouri. His parents were Rose and Stanley. Nicholas had one sister: Fran and seven brothers: Frank, Allen, Stanley, Theodore, Fred, Joe, and Lonnie Thomas.
Nicholas attended St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis. Later the family lived in St. Louis County Mo. As a youth, he loved golf and worked as a caddy.
Nick joined the Marine Corps in November 1948. In early 1950, Nicholas was a Corporal with H and S Co, Third Infantry Battalion, USMCR (Reserve) in St. Louis. In October 1950, Nicholas was with the 2nd Battalion, Second Replacement Draft.
In Marine Corps muster reports, he is listed as a Sergeant in July 1950 and Nicholas was headed for Korea. After five years of simmering tensions on the Korean peninsula, the Korean War began on 25-Jun 1950, when the Northern Korean People’s Army invaded South Korea in a coordinated general attack at several strategic points along the 38th parallel.
Battle of the Chosin Reservoir
The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir campaign was early in the Korean War, part of the Chinese Second Offensive (November–December 1950) to drive the United Nations out of North Korea. The Chosin Reservoir campaign was directed mainly against the 1st Marine Division of the U.S. X Corps, which had disembarked in eastern North Korea and moved inland in severe winter weather to a mountainous area near the reservoir.
The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir was considered one of the most brutal and harrowing battles in American military history, with extremely high casualties due to the harsh winter conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, where many soldiers suffered from severe frostbite, and the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Chinese forces, leading to a significant number of American deaths and injuries despite a successful withdrawal; survivors often refer to themselves as the “Chosin Few” or “Frozen Chosin”.
On 3-DEC 1950 Nick was wounded in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir sustaining leg and head injuries. He lost one eye, as well as suffering severe frostbite. He received a Purple Heart for his injuries.
By January 1951, Zak was at Marine Hospital Detachment U.S. Naval Services at Treasure Island San Francisco CA and U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland CA. Later in January, Nicholas was at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois, staying through July 1951.
Nicholas Zak was Honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in September 1951, having attained the rank of Sergeant. He earned the following medals:
- Purple Heart
- Korean War Service Medal
- Korean Defense Service Medal
- Marine Corps, Good Conduct Medal
In 1958 Nicholas married Dorothy M. Carr. They had four children (Jeanne, Janet, David, and Tom). He worked for Wagner Electric in St. Louis MO for 30 years. While working full time, he went to night school at Washington University, earning a Bachelors degree. After retiring from Wagner, Nicholas worked 12 years as a contracting officer for the U.S. Army Troop Support Command. He retired in 1994.
In his retirement, Nicholas continued to play golf. He also loved trout fishing. Service to his parish was a major part of Nick’s life. While at Good Shepherd and Incarnate Word parishes, he served in the Men’s Club, Athletic Club, Parish Council, and Knights of Columbus 4th degree Honor Guard. He was also an athletic coach, lector, Eucharistic minister, and usher.
Nick was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association, The Chosen Few, Knights of Columbus Council 9981 & Knights of Columbus Honor Guard. His name is engraved on The Chosin Few Monuments in Forest Park next to the Korean War Veterans Association Memorial.
Nicholas and Dorothy were married for 63 years. Nicholas Zak died 31-Aug 2021. He is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.
For more of his story, click on the links below.
