World War II Honoree

Harry L. Hawkins

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Dalhart, Texas

Honored By

Patrick D. Kearns

Relationship

Friend

JOINED THE MARINE CORPS IN 1942 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 23RD REGIMENT, 4TH MARINE DIVISION. FORWARD OBSERVER FOR A 81MM MORTAR PLATOON AND PARTICIPATED IN ALL 4 LANDINGS THE 'FIGHTING 4TH' MADE IN ROI NAMUR, MARSHALL ISLANDS (JANUARY 31, 1944); SAIPAN, MARIANA ISLANDS (JUNE 15, 1944); TINIAN, MARIANA ISLANDS (JULY 24, 1944), IWO JIMA (FEBRUARY 19, 1945). TOTAL CASUALTIES OF THE 4TH MARINE DIVISION FOR ALL FOUR BATTLES WERE 18,903. HE WAS AMONG THE LUCKY ONES TO SURVIVE ALL 4 BATTLES WITH ONLY THE LOSS OF AN ARM AND MULTIPLE SHRAPNEL WOUNDS INCURRED ON IWO JIMA ON FEBRUARY 26, 1945. RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR WITH COMBAT V, 2 PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON WITH 4 GOLD STARS. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS GENERAL A. A. VANDERFRIFT, LIEUTENANT GENERAL ROY S. GEIGER, GENERAL C. B. CATES (4TH MARINE DIVISION) AND A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN THAT WAS SIGNED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, JOHN L. SULLIVAN.