WAR EXACTING HIGHER TOLL IN STREATOR AREA
Pvt. Robert Wright killed In Action, Three From City Missing,

 The tragedy of war weighed heavily upon four Streator homes today, one in which a son killed in action is being mourned, and in the others, the fate of three missing in action affords increasing concern and uncertainty.
   They are: Killed in action Pvt, Robert D. Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Wright, 105 Bluff street. Missing in action Pvt. Frank Kozak, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Kozak, 1208 James street, and husband of the former Pearl Sopher. Pvt. George Bakalar, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Bakalar, 314 South Illinois St., and husband of the former Margaret Kennedy. Elmer Terrel, husband of Mrs. Juanita Terrel, 210 High street.
   Word of the death of their son was received by Mr. and Mrs. Wright yesterday in a telegram from the War Department. He was killed in action May 13, 1944, presumably in the drive on Italy. There were no details concerning his death.
   He enlisted in the army January 2, 1942, and July 12, 1943, was sent overseas, where he served in North Africa until March, 1944, when he participated in the invasion of Italy,
   He was born in Streator December 14, 1920, and with the exception of the time spent in the army, resided here his entire life, graduating from the elementary and high schools.
   Surviving him are his parents, his wife, Mrs.. Robert Wright, of Jacksonville, Fla., and the following brothers and sisters: John E. Wright, Irene, Ellen, Elizabeth, Mary Alyce and Georgene Wright. His grandmothers, Mrs. Cora Wright and Mrs. Anna Tucker, also survive.
   Memorial services for Private Wright will be held at 7:30 o'clock Thursday evening at the Episcopal church.
   Notification that her husband was missing in action also came in a telegram from the War Department Sunday to Mrs. Pearl Kozak, 1017 E. Wilson street. The message stated that he had been missing since May 30. Pvt Kozak entered the service in September, 1943, receiving his basic training at .Camp Blanding, Fla., and leaving for overseas during the winter months.
   Pvt. Bakalar was inducted at about the same time, and has been missing in action since May 23. His wife is the former Margaret Kennedy, to whom he was married eight years ago. Employed in the office of Dr. J. J. Maras, she makes her home with her husband's mother.
   Also missing in action is Elmer Terrel, Fireman 3C, USN, husband of Juanita Terrel, who made her home with her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Alberts, 210 High street. He entered the service in February, 1944. A son, Robert, 18 also in the navy, and has not been heard from in five months.

Grave marker for Pvt Robert D. Wright in Riverview Cemetery, Streator (LaSalle county), Illinois.

Robert enlisted in the Army at Chicago IL on 5 January 1942/.

On 16 October 1942, Pvt Wright was transferred from the 507th PIR to the 508th PIR as a member of the cadre team.

He was apparently transferred out of the 508th but the records are inexact.

.Pvt Wright was killed in action in Anzio, Roma, Lazio, Italy on 13 May 1944.

 He had been a member of Company B, 179th Infantry 45th Infantry Division

His military decorations include the Purple Heart.