Richard E. Zook was born May 1, 1921 to Aaron and Norma Zook, who lived in Wallace Township, (north of Coatesville) Pennsylvania. Richard was the oldest of two children, including his sister Betty J.

His father worked on a poultry farm.  Richard was engaged in his father’s poultry and hatchery business.

Richard entered  the Army on October 8, 1941 and after basic training was assigned to the 135^th Infantry Regiment, of the 34^th Infantry Division. This is the same regiment that heroes Norman Becker and Arthur Pickell would serve.

The 135^th Regiment participated in the landings in German occupied North Africa in December 1942, in support of the Allied forces which landed in November.  The entire division landed at Oran, a city and inlet in the Mediterranean Sea west-southwest of Algiers.

After additional training, the 135^th Regiment moved east towards Tunisia on November 2^nd, relieving elements of the Free French Army.  They engaged the famed Rommel’s Afrika Korps in combat a few days later.

Richard’s Regiment fought two very intense battles to secure the Fondouk Pass, a pass through low lying mountains blocking eastward movement.  They were unsuccessful in their first battle March 27-28^th. 

After regrouping, they again fought the Afrika Korps April 8-10th to take the pass and surrounding heights. This was very intense battle, with the support of the British 6^th Armored Division, was ultimately successful. 

His parents received Richards’s last letter dated April 7^th, in which he assured them he was all right. 

Two days later, on April 9,1942, Private First Class Richard E. Zook was Killed In Action in Tunisia. 

His parents received the Government Telegram on May 2^nd.

 Richard is buried at the North African American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia.