Louis J. Parisi

Louis Parisi was born in Jersey City in 1926. He entered service in 1944 and served as a rifleman in the US Marine Corps, Bravo Company, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division through 1946.

Louis saw combat in the South Pacific and fought in the Battle of Okinawa, where his best friend died, as well as Louis was wounded and earned the Purple Heart. He spent nine months in a US Navy hospital.

After the war Louis wanted to serve his community, church and county, and spent 42 years as an educator, teaching for 21 years in Jersey City and 21 years in Freehold Regional. He is currently Commander of the Catholic War Veterans Post 714, and past Commander of the VFW Post 1333, both in Asbury Park, and is a member of the Advisory Council of the Monmouth County Division of Aging, Disability and Veterans’ Affairs.

Louis does not consider himself a hero and is proud that he did what he had to do as well as maintained his humanity in the midst of war. He has said that he wishes that all people could love one another, and that war should be a last resort.

Louis J. Parisi passed away on September 23, 2025 at the age of 99.

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