A former standout UConn student-athlete and an American navy hero is now being honored in a particular method because the nation celebrates Veterans Day this weekend.

The letter sweater of John Winzler ’42 (CLAS) was lately introduced by his household to the J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum, positioned within the Alumni House in Storrs, and is now on show.

A local of Manchester, Winzler was a three-sport athlete throughout his undergraduate years – taking part in basketball, baseball, and soccer. He was the basketball captain his senior 12 months and was a two-time All-New England choose.

Following commencement, Winzler joined the Marines and have become a primary lieutenant with the Fifth Division, 28^th Marines. That division was concerned within the well-known flag elevating on the island of Iwo Jima. Winzler was wounded at Iwo Jima and, as his household understands it, docs didn’t need him to return to battle, however he insisted on returning to his division to steer them. The docs relented and he did return to obligation days later, however was killed in motion on March 3, 1945.

Winzler is remembered on the Roll of Honor within the Alumni House for UConn graduates who’ve died in battle and in addition at The National Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain.

His nephew Mark Winzler, additionally of Manchester, is his final shut relative and contacted the varsity about donating the sweater, which was enthusiastically accepted.

The sweater is in good situation and had been saved in a cedar chest for many years.

A ceremony was held within the museum to simply accept the present and was attended by Mark Winzler and associates of his household. The Director of UConn’s Veterans Affairs and Military Programs Alyssa Keller and outreach coordinator Emily Lugo had been in attendance, together with Director of Men’s Basketball Administration Paul Wettemann, baseball pitching coach Josh MacDonald, and baseball student-athletes Garrett Coe ’24 (BUS), Luke Broadhurst, and Jake Studley, each graduate college students.