Birth and Early Life
Adolph Edward Yagodich was born on 8 January 1919, in Peru, Illinois, to George and Mary (Remsek) Yagodich. His father, George, was an immigrant from Yugoslavia, arriving in America in 1907. His mother, Mary, was from Austria and arrived in the U.S. in 1913. The couple married in January 1914, and by December of that year, Adolph’s older brother Theodore was born. Two years later, his older sister Sophia joined the family. Initially, the Yagodich family resided in LaSalle on Third Street while George worked as a miner. They later moved to a home they owned at 2216 State Street in Peru.
Adolph attended high school for at least two years and as an adult worked at Westclox, a local clock factory in Peru. In 1935, when Adolph was 16, his parents had a late addition to the family—a daughter named Georgette.
Military Service
In October 1940, Adolph registered for the draft along with many other young men across the country. At age 21, he stood 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 140 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair. About two years later, his brother Ted was drafted and enlisted in the Army in July 1942. The next year, Adolph was also drafted and enlisted in the US Marine Reserves on 9 June 1943. He was ultimately assigned to the Headquarters and Service Battery in the 4th Battalion of the 12th Marines in the 3rd Division of the U.S. Marines.
Service in the Pacific and the Battle of Iwo Jima
PFC Adolph Yagodich supported his unit’s efforts to secure Allied control in the Pacific. By February 1945, the Mariana and Palau Islands were under Allied control, setting the stage for the next crucial step: securing a foothold in the Volcano Islands to facilitate the eventual attack on the Japanese Home Islands. Iwo Jima was selected as the next target in this Central Pacific thrust, with the 3rd Marine Division serving as a floating reserve.
At 0900 on 19 February 1945, the 4th and 5th Divisions of the 12th Marines invaded the beaches of Iwo Jima. By February 23rd, Mt. Suribachi on the island was isolated and secured, and by February 24th, the 3rd Division had come ashore. Over the next couple of weeks, the 12th Marines provided crucial artillery support, including preparations for daily attacks, counterbattery fire, and day and night harassing fire upon request. It was likely during one of these operations, when the enemy counterattacked, that PFC Adolph Yagodich was killed in action and died on 8 March 1945. He was one of three from his battalion who perished in the campaign.
Final Resting Place and Legacy
PFC Yagodich was temporarily buried in the Iwo Jima 3rd Marine Division Cemetery, Kazan Retto. After the war at the request of his family his remains were returned to his hometown, where he was interred in Peru City Cemetery in Peru, Illinois. Posthumously, PFC Adolph Edward Yagodich was eligible for the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
After the war, Adolph’s brother changed his name to Theodore Marolt for reasons unknown. Adolph’s sister Sophia’s fate remains unclear; his younger sister Georgette eventually moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Adolph’s father passed away in 1961, and his mother in 1970; both are buried in Peru City Cemetery alongside Adolph and Theodore, who is interred under his original surname of Yagodich.
PFC Adolph Edward Yagodich’s sacrifice is remembered with honor and respect, a testament to the bravery and dedication of those who served and gave their lives in World War II.
This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.
If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please email feedback@storiesbehindthestars.org.
- SBTSProject/Illinois/LaSalle
- SBTS Historian: Pam Broviak
You can also access this story at the following sites:
Fold3 Memorial: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664260138/pfc-adolph-edward-yagodich-service-no-0849923/stories
Sources:
- 1930 U.S. Census, George Jagodich, Ancestry.
- 1940 U.S. Census, George Yagodich, Ancestry.
- Marriage Certificates and Licenses: LaSalle, George Jagodie to Mary Remsak, FamilySearch.
- Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998, Illinois, Circuit Court (LaSalle County), Vol 5, no. 701-818, Urlik Jagodic, FamilySearch.
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Theodore Yagodich, Ancestry.
- “U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947,” Adolph Edward Yagodich, Ancestry.
- “U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958,” 1 July to 21 July 1944, Ancestry.
- “U.S., Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958,” 1 January to 31 January 1945, Ancestry.
- “U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985,” Adolph Edward Yagodich, Ancestry.
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120917243/george_yadodich
- “Legal Notice,” The Times, Streator, Illinois, 5 March 1948, p. 10, col. 8, Newspapers.com.
- Charles R. Smith, “A Brief History of the 12th Marines,” Historical Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., 1972.
- “New York State, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1917-1967,” Georgette A Yagodich, Ancestry.
- “U.S., Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945 U.S.,” Adolph E Yagodich, Ancestry.
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117106260/adolph-e-yagodich