World War II Honoree

George Leatherbury Pugh

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Burleson, Texas

Honored By

Kathryn Pugh Filipovich

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED IN U.S. MARINE CORPS IMMEDIATELY AFTER JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR DECEMBER 7, 1941. UPON GRADUATION FROM U.S. MARINE RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, TRANSFERRED TO U.S. NAVAL BASE PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII AND ASSIGNED TO 4TH MARINE DEFENSE BATTALION, 1ST MARINE AMPHIBIOUS FORCE AS PART OF FIRE CONTROL TEAM FOR ARTILLERY BATTERY. FIRST MISSION WAS TO REINFORCE 1ST DEFENSE BATTALION ON WAKE ISLAND WHICH FELL BEFORE THE 4TH COULD REACH DESTINATION. THE 4TH WAS THEN RE-ASSIGNED TO ISLAND OF EFRATE IN NEW HEBRIDES AND WAS AMONG 1ST UNITS INVOLVED IN U.S. OFFENSE AGAINST JAPANESE EMPIRE IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS ON ISLAND OF EFRATE, HONOREE AND BATTALION RETURNED TO GUADALCANAL AND FROM THERE DEPLOYED TO PROVIDE FIRE SUPPORT FOR ARMY RANGER UNIT ON ISLAND OF VELLA LAVELLA. DECORATIONS INCLUDE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC MEDAL WITH 2 STARS.