6/6/23 ~ 1/7/45
Our beloved brother and uncle, John Dominick Cozza, has been reunited with his family after being officially listed as Missing in Action during combat service in World War II. On January 7, 1945, John was reported as Missing when his plane failed to return from an attack over Luzon Island in the Philippines. After 58
years, fortunate and unexpected events have led to the location and identification of John and his aircraft. "Uncle Johnny" is remembered as a hero, who volunteered his life in a distant country while fighting to preserve our freedom.
The youngest of seven children, John Cozza was born in Hiawatha, Carbon County, Utah, on June 6, 1923, to John and Irene Botticelli Cozza. Shortly after graduating from South High School in Salt Lake City, John enlisted as a cadet in the U.S. Naval Reserve in September of 1942. He was commissioned in April of 1944 as an Ensign. John served with distinction as a pilot in the South Pacific earning the Purple Heart among other military commendations.
John's family would like to thank Ms. Flora Motta and her family in the Philippine Islands, and the United States Navy, who made his identification possible.
John is fondly remembered and survived by two brothers, Nicholas Cozza (Beverly), of Salt Lake City, and Don Cozza (Patricia), of Tustin, California, and three sisters, Ida Olsen and Rena Hobbs, of Salt Lake City, and Anne Donnell's, of Santa Rosa, California. His oldest brother, Louie Cozza (Stella) passed away in 1992. He is also survived by three generations of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A memorial service to honor John's life and to dedicate his final resting place will be conducted on Saturday, June 7, 2003 at 11:00 a.m., at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery/Mortuary, 1950 E. 10600 S. In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions be made to the Navy-Marine Corp. Relief Society, Naval Air Station, Bldg. 309, Fallon, NV 89496.