World War II Honoree

Joseph Conrad Gilardone, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Fleetwood, Pennsylvania

Honored By

His Children & Grandchildren

ENLISTED IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS ON FEBRUARY 15, 1944. BOOT CAMP AT PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA (MARCH TO APRIL 1944). TRAINED IN AMPHIBIAN TANKS IN DUNEDIN, FLORIDA AND LATER AT CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA. WENT TO SAIPAN IN NOVEMBER 1944 TO FORM WITH THE 2ND ARMORED AMPHIBIAN BATTALION. IN FEBRUARY 1945, WENT FROM SAIPAN TO IWO JIMA AND ATTACHED TO THE FAMED 5TH AMPHIBIAN CORPS. WAS IN THE FIRST ASSAULT WAVE ON IWO JIMA ON FEBRUARY 19, 1945. IN MARCH 1945, THE 5TH AMPHIBIAN WAS SHIPPED TO MAUI TO A REHABILITATION AREA. IN JULY 1945, ISSUED GEAR FOR ASSAULT OF JAPAN, TO BE ADVISED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. DISCHARGED IN MAY 9, 1946. AWARDED A BATTLE STAR FOR THE PACIFIC CAMPAIGN.