Madison VA 2022 Hall of Heroes Induction - 1st Lt. Norman Marozick

As a forward observer for artillery fire in the 4th Infantry Division, Marozick spent six months fighting against the German occupation of Europe during World War II earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

The 103-year-old Marozick and his family attended the ceremony to accept the honor.

As part of the ceremony, 1st Lt. Marozick’s son, Mark Marozick, read a speech written by Norman about his first day in combat shortly after the D-Day landings on Utah & Omaha beaches in Normandy.

“My first day in combat was a day I will never forget. I knew no one in the 4th Division. I had to get acquainted with the three enlisted men completing our team, while closely following our attacking infantry company,” said Marozick. “So, we are walking along, and we hear shells coming in. We drop flat on the ground; shells explode around us… but none of us was hurt!”

Marozick’s remarks detailed his experiences in Europe including how he placed his faith in God and how he was later injured in the leg by a shell fragment which hospitalized him.  Due to his recovery, he was not with F Company of the 4TH Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge, in which the entire company was captured by German forces.

Additionally, 1st Lt. Marozick’s Bronze Star citation was read by his daughter, Mary Marozick.

“Norman E. Marozick, 1st Lieutenant, FA, 42nd Field Artillery Battalion, for heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France on 2 August 1944. Lieutenant Marozick was a forward artillery observer assigned to a battalion whose mission was to drive the enemy from a hill.  As assault troops approached the foot of the hill, the enemy laid down a concentration of fire which halted the advance. In the face of heavy fire, Lieutenant Marozick left a covered position four times during the engagement in order to direct artillery fire from a dangerous vantage point. The fire which he adjusted neutralized many enemy installations and caused a large number of casualties among the defenders.  His heroic action was a definite factor in the successful completion of the battalion’s mission.  The courage, technical skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Marozick reflects credit upon himself and the military service.”

Mary and Mark Marozick, on behalf of their father, unveil the plaque to be placed in the Hall of Heroes.

“Our ‘Hall of Heroes’ is an inspiration to all of us here at the Madison VA Hospital and serves as a testament to the bravery of our Veteran patients,” said hospital director John Rohrer. “We are honored to celebrate Marozick’s heroism with him and his family.”

For those who could not attend the live ceremony, a video of the event will be posted on the hospital’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MadisonVAHospital.

The Hall of Heroes is located on the first floor of the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in the main corridor on the wall near the Patient Education Resource Center.

Silver seals of the branches of military service and the wording “Hall of Heroes” are permanently displayed.

The Veterans selected to be honored have their photograph and information about their personal awards and citations for heroism or valor displayed. A total of fourteen Veterans have been honored since 2002.

The criteria for induction are as follows: Candidates for the Hall of Heroes are service members or Veterans who currently or previously received care at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and Clinics. If a Veteran would have been a patient at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital but died before establishing care, applications can still be submitted and considered for the Hall of Heroes.

Veterans should have been decorated with a personal award and citation for heroism or valor.

Awards are reviewed and authenticated with a release form signed by the Veteran to authorize the required verification. Awards will be ranked following military ranking, i.e. Congressional Medal of Honor being the highest possible decoration. Multiple awards for bravery, receipt of a Purple Heart, and prisoner of war status will also be considered.

Submissions of potential honorees are welcome from individual Veterans, County Veterans Service Officers, service organizations and others. As an on-going project, submissions can be sent at any time. Instructions for submissions for the consideration of the Hall of Heroes Committee can be found at: https://www.va.gov/madison-health-care/programs/hall-of-heroes/

Each submission should include copies, not originals, of awards and citations, a completed authorization for verification form, and a completed submission coversheet.

Questions and completed packets can be emailed to VHAMADHallofHeroes@va.gov.

For more information about the Madison VA Hospital, visit www.madison.va.gov or www.facebook.com/MadisonVAHospital and subscribe to our newsletters.