Born in Bergholz, OH in 1924. Served in the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. Was killed on November 8, 1943 during Gaudelcanal. His brother, Theodore, served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was killed while serving in the 103rd Bombing Squadron while on a bombing raid over Stattin Germany in August 1944.
Ignatius Gorak's Silver Star citation: Silver Star AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING World War II Service: Marine Corps Rank: Sergeant Battalion: 2d Marine Raider Battalion GENERAL ORDERS: CITATION: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Ignatius Joseph Gorak (MCSN: 352361), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Second Marine Raider Battalion during an attack along the Numa Numa-Piva trail, Bougainville Island, British Solomon Islands on November 7, 1943. Skillfully maneuvering the machine-gun section under his command for maximum striking power, Sergeant Gorak led his men through difficult jungle terrain and, despite heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, assisted materially in the progress of the assault. Although suffering from fatal wounds in the hip and stomach, he steadfastly continued to direct the fire of his guns, preventing the Japanese from penetrating the lines of his company. Sergeant Gorak's brilliant leadership and heroic devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.