World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
William James Pearson, Jr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Honored By
Catherine A. Pearson, 3 Children & 6 Grandchildren
HE VOLUNTEERED FOR THE MARINES ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1943 (1 MONTH PAST HIS 17TH BIRTHDAY) AND WAS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS IN THE INTELLIGENCE SECTION OF THE 5TH AMPHIBIOUS RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION FLEET MARINE FORCE IN THE PACIFIC THEATRE. HE FOUGHT ON THE ISLANDS OF SAIPAN FROM JUNE 15, 1944 TO JULY 8, 1944; TINIAN FROM JULY 26, 1944 TO AUGUST 2, 1944; IWO JIMA FROM FEBRUARY 19, 1945 TO MARCH 14, 1945; RYUKYUS FROM APRIL 3, 1945 TO JUNE 8, 1945. HE ALSO SAW ACTION ON OKINAWA, KUME SHIMA, ENIWETOK AND MANY OTHER SMALLER ISLANDS. HE WAS DISCHARGED ON NOVEMBER 24, 1945 AT BAINBRIDGE, MARYLAND. HE WAS AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.