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Pvt Tony Ruzich Jr. attended high school for one year and was a tool and die maker at Verson All-Steel in Chicago.

He enlisted on 16 October 1940 and arrived in Europe in November 1944.
He was first reported missing in action on 25 December. That day L Company attacked in the direction of Kehmen meeting heavy fire from mortars, machineguns and snipers. The objective, high ground South of Kehmen was reached but could not be held due to enemy fire and the company had to withdraw.
The place is called Shirdschen Berg or “The Bloody Knob” of Kehmen. He was reported missing in action together with Pfc Ernest Kearns and Cpl William E. Dodd. They were killed as they were attacking an enemy machine gun when they were hit by a mortar shell. Their bodies were found 3 days later.
His brother Rudy Ruzich was killed on 2 May 1945. He is buried at the American Military Cemetery of Lorraine, France. His personal memorial page can be found here.
Both are also remembered at the Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City, Williamson County, Illinois.
His other brother Cpl Louis Ruzich served in Birma and returned home in August 1945.
After receiving the news of the death of Rudy, his father disappeared and was found drowned in the Big Muddy River which flowed at the back of the farm.

Pvt Ruzich was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously by executive order of 24 August 1962 "for meritorous achievement while serving with Company L, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in the European Theater Operations on 25 December 1944, in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States during World War II. Private Ruzich's exemplary performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 80th Infantry Division, and the Army of the United States." The medal was given to his family on 23 August 2006.