Philip Gazecki '41, Naval Ensign, Dies in Jap Attack on Pearl Harbor

Ensign Philip R. Gazecki '41, stationed on Pearl Harbor, is Harvard's first casualty as a result of the Japanese attack last week.

Gazecki was a star student in the College during his four years here. Awarded the Henry D. and Jonathan M. Parmenter Scholarship he was the editor of the Naval Science Bulletin last year and was platoon commander.

The Bureau of Navigation informed Gazecki's parents of his death in a telegram which stated:

"The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Ensign Philip R. Gazecki, United States Naval Reserve, was lost in action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The Department extends to you its sincerest sympathy in your great loss."

A few weeks before Gazecki's death he was complimented on his "exceptional" work in Hawaii. Lieutenant Commander Leslie K. Pollard, assistant professor of Naval Science and Tactics, under whom Gazecki studied last year, praised his abilities and confirmed his potentialities.

"He was an excellent boy, a very fine lad. Everyone in the school liked him; he had no enemies because of his perfect self-control."

Dudley H. Cloud, secretary of the Committee on the use of English by students, was continually consulted by Gazecki to aid in putting out the Naval Science Bulletin. "The Navy and the University have lost something," he said.