World War II Honoree

Alvan R. Flanders

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Natick, Massachusetts

Honored By

Gwen Coryell

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS IN 1942. ATTENDED OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL IN QUANTICO, VIRGINIA AND GRADUATED AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT. AFTER ADDITIONAL TRAINING, TRANSFERRED TO CAMP PENDLETON ON THE WEST COAST, WHICH WAS A STAGING AREA FOR THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC. ASSIGNED TO THE 6TH MARINE INFANTRY DIVISION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INVASION OF THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA. ON APRIL 1, 1945, U.S. TROOPS INVADED THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA AND THE BATTLES WENT ON FOR MONTHS AND WERE VERY DIFFICULT. MANY SOLDIERS AND MARINES WERE KILLED AND ALVAN WAS ONE OF THE WOUNDED. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE ISLAND OF GUAM FOR TREATMENT. HE WAS WOUNDED IN BOTH LEGS AND HAD SHRAPNEL IN HIS MIDSECTION. LATER RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART AND OTHER SERVICE AWARDS.