John Virgel Zeiler was born June 1st, 1922 in Nebraska to John Peter Zeiler and his wife Emma Edna Spoeth.  His father was listed on various census records as a heating and plumbing shop owner, a carpenter, and a foreman.  He also served in WWI as a PVT in the US Army.  He and Emma had at least three other children: Marvin, Norma, and Zelda. In 1930 and 1940, the family was living in Holyoke, CO.

John enlisted in the service on 1 Oct 1940. He served as a Seaman First Class on the USS Arizona (BB-39). He was first received onboard 6 Dec 1940. On 7 Dec 1941, Japanese carrier-based aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy base and ships at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During the attack, the USS Arizona was struck by eight armor-piercing bombs. One penetrated the Arizona's deck near its No. 2 turret, causing a large explosion that destroyed the forward half of the ship and started a fire that burned for two days. It is thought that most of the Arizona’s crew members died instantly during the explosion. More than 1,100 sailors and Marines were lost along with the ship.

Seaman First Class John V. Zeiler, who entered the U.S. Navy from Colorado, was serving aboard the Arizona when it sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He went down with the ship, and his remains were not recovered. Today, Seaman First Class Zeiler is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

He was the son of John Peter and Emma Edna Spoeth Zeiler. Brother of Marvin Dale Zeiler and sisters Norma Jean Zeiler and Zelda Elsie Zeiler (Thompson).   Seaman Zeiler is listed upon Courts of the Missing.

Awarded Purple Heart.

The majority of the information provided above by the wonderful volunteers with Stories Behind the Stars.