World War II Honoree

William A. Best

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Westfield, New Jersey

Honored By

John L. Chambard

Relationship

Friend

HE ENLISTED ON APRIL 24, 1939 IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS RECRUITING PLATOON LEADERS CLASS. HE ALSO ATTENDED BASIC SCHOOL IN JANUARY 1942 AT THE PHILADELPHIA NAVY YARD. IN MAY 1942 HE WAS AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA FOR COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING. IN SEPTEMBER 1942 HE WENT TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA WITH THE 2ND AIR WING, 11TH MARINE AIR GROUP. IN OCTOBER 1942 HE WAS SENT TO NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA AND IN NOVEMBER 1942 HE WAS SENT TO ESPIRITU SANTOS IN THE NEW HEBRIDES AND THE GUADALCANAL WITH THE 14TH MARINE AIR GROUP. IN APRIL 1943 WAS SENT TO NEW ZEALAND WITH THE 14TH MARINE AIR GROUP. THEN IN SEPTEMBER 1943, WITH THE 14TH MARINE AIR GROUP HE WENT TO ONDONGA, NEW GEORGIA ISLAND FIGHTER BASE THAT SUPPORTED THE BOUGAINVILLE INVASION. THEN IN APRIL 1944 WITH THE 9TH AIR WING HE WAS SENT TO CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA AND IN JULY 1945 HE WAS SENT TO THE MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IN EWA, HAWAII. HE WAS RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY ON OCTOBER 30, 1945.