World War II Honoree

William George Nikitas

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Honored By

Julia J. Nikitas

Relationship

Wife

JOINED U.S. MARINE CORPS IN DECEMBER 1943. WENT THROUGH BOOT CAMP AT MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. WAS HONOR MAN OF HIS PLATOON. HIS SCORE ON THE RIFLE RANGE WAS 333 OUT OF 340. WENT THROUGH SCOUT AND SNIPER SCHOOL AT CAMP PENDLETON. SERVED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC WITH THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION, I COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 5TH REGIMENT. HE WAS IN THE FIRST WAVE OF TROOPS IN THE INVASIONS OF PELELIU AND OKINAWA. HE WAS WOUNDED BY BOMB BLAST ON SUGAR LOAF HILL, OKINAWA ON MAY 5, 1945. HE WAS RETURNED TO THE STATES AND MUSTERED OUT IN NOVEMBER 1946.