World War II Honoree

Paul R. Montgomery

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Mt. Holly, North Carolina

Honored By

Ms. Rebecca M. Mckinney

Relationship

Daughter

Joined on September 21, 1942. Clerical work at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina until August 1944. Departed Camp Lejeune on August 8, 1944 and arrived in San Diego, September 1944. Sailed from San Diego on October 6, 1944 with 5th Marines, arrived at Guadalcanal on October 27, 1944. Sailed from Guadalcanal on February 17, 1945 and arrived at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He was mistakenly thought to be 1 of the 5 Marines (in the now famous picture), who raised the larger flag. This is why, at the ceremonial dedication of the statue at Quantico, Virginia, there was the mention of six Marines. He was removed from Iwo Jima, along with the 3 surviving Marines by a Presidential Directive, to be used in a campaign to raise money for the war effort. When he was found not to be 1 of the 5 Marines, he was shipped back to Guadalcanal. Sailed from Ulithi Atoll on March 27, 1945 and arrived at Okinawa Shima on April 1, 1945. Received the Presidential Unit Citation. Sailed from Okinawa on July 8, 1945 and arrived at Guam on July 14, 1945. Sailed from Guam on September 30, 1945 and arrived at Saipan on October 1, 1945. Sailed from Saipan on October 2, 1945 and arrived at Tsingtao, China on October 11, 1945. Participated in ceremony, at the surrender of Japanese Military Forces in China on October 25, 1945. Sailed from Tsingtao, China on March 30, 1946 and arrived at San Diego via Taku, China on April 20, 1946. Discharged on May 6, 1946 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.