World War II Honoree

Edward V. 'Doc' Bethel, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Great Falls, Montana

Honored By

Joe Feaster

TRANSFERRED TO THE SAN DIEGO NAVAL HOSPITAL, THEN TO THE FLEET MARINE FORCE TAKING MARINE BOOT TRAINING AT CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA. NEXT, HE JOINED THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS RANK OF PHARMACIST'S MATE 2ND CLASS FOR MERITORIOUS ACTION IN BATTLE OF PELELIU WITH THE RECONNAISSANCE UNIT. HE RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART IN ACTION ON OKINAWA. HE WAS THEN SENT TO CHINA TO SET UP A HOSPITAL IN TIENTSIN WHERE HIS DIVISION ACCEPTED SURRENDER OF THE JAPANESE TROOPS. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN 1946, AND RETURNED TO MONTANA.