World War II Honoree

Marion Haywood Gibson

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Gibson, North Carolina

Honored By

Elaine Stafford

Relationship

Daughter

SWORN-IN AT RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA SEPTEMBER 29, 1943. BASIC TRAINING IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA; QUALIFIED FOR MARKSMAN WITH M1 RIFLE. TRANSFERRED TO CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA; TRAINED AS A PHOTOGRAPHER AND DREW AERIAL MAPS FROM FLIGHT PHOTOS. DUTY IN PACIFIC THEATRE BEGAN NOVEMBER 9, 1944 AS MEMBER OF OCCUPATIONAL FORCE OF IWO JIMA, D-DAY +1; STAYED DURING ENTIRE CAMPAIGN. RETURNED TO MAUI, HAWAII SHORTLY AFTER PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S DEATH. TRANSFERRED TO HEADQUARTERS COMPANY TO DO PAYROLL DUTIES WHILE ON MAUI AND DURING OCCUPATIONAL DUTY AT SASEBO, JAPAN SEPTEMBER 24, 1945 TO JANUARY 7, 1946. ENTIRE BATTALION RETURNED TO CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA FOR DISCHARGE SINCE WAR WAS OVER. RECEIVED HONORABLE DISCHARGE APRIL 11, 1946. DURING HIS TOUR OF DUTY, HE QUALIFIED FOR MARKSMAN, WW11 VICTORY AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDALS.