World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Karl Edward Hein
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Rockford, Illinois
Honored By
Laura Gruss & family
HE SERVED WITH THE UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAM WHO WERE THE FORERUNNERS OF THE NAVY SEALS. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINES AND IWO JIMA, WHERE HE SWAM IN FOR RECONNAISSANCE OF THE BEACH 2 DAYS BEFORE THE LANDING. HE ALSO LED THE FIRST WAVE OF MARINES INTO BET BEACH AND WAS EN ROUTE TO INVADE JAPAN WHEN THE WAR ENDED. HE SERVED AS ASSISTANT PLATOON OFFICER AND PLATOON OFFICER OF UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAM 15.