John Zila
Personal details
Born12 August 1917
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Died1 July 1987
NativityUnited States
ReligionCatholic
AwardsGood Conduct
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
ASN11088341
RankSergeant
Rank at RitchieCorporal
Camp RitchieClass 29 (13 April – 12 June 1945)
Section7C
EnlistedBoston, Massachusetts
Awards and honors
Good Conduct
Research notes on this page are compiled from the source file and later edits. They may be unverified, incomplete, or incorrect, and should not be treated as established fact. Please correct the article or add sources on the talk page. For class-roster terms, see About the data.
Sources & confidence: Treat Research notes as leads, not settled fact. Prefer NARA, the class roster, newspapers, Find a Grave, or published histories for contested claims. Mark unsourced claims with {{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.


John Zila (12 August 1917 – 1 July 1987) was a Ritchie Boy (from United States; Catholic) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 29.

Biography edit

John Zila was born on 12 August 1917 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in Boston on 1 September 1942 and trained at Camp Ritchie (Class 29), his principal wartime station.

Zila was discharged as a sergeant on 25 January 1946. His service was recognized with the American Theater service ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. He died on 1 July 1987.

Research notes edit

  • Packet supports stateside Camp Ritchie service but not the prior speculative phrase 'extended period'; that wording is removed.

Gallery edit

Technical record edit

Field Imported value
Approx Age at Death 70
Nara ASN 11088341
Nara Name ZILA JOHN
Nara State 13
Nara County 9
Nara POE 1306
Nara DOE 10942
Nara Grade Alpha PVT
Nara Grade Code 8
Nara Branch Alpha AC
Nara Branch Code 20
Branch Air Corps
Nara Term or Enlistment 5
Term of enlistment Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Defer. Date 0
Nara Source 0
Nara Nativity 13
Nativity.1 MASSACHUSETTS
Nara Year of Birth 17
Nara Race 1
Nara Race Description White citizen
Nara Education 4
Nara Civilian Occupation 703
Nara Marital Status 6
Nara Height (inches) 74
Nara Weight (lbs) 200
Class_ASN 11088341
Class_Name ZILA, John
match_method asn_exact_name_exact
row_source both

Timeline edit

  • 12 August 1917 — Born in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
  • 1 September 1942 — Enlisted in the Army Air Corps in Boston.
  • World War II — Trained and served at Camp Ritchie (Class 29).
  • 25 January 1946 — Discharged as a sergeant.
  • 1 July 1987 — Died.

Sources edit