World War II Honoree

Robert Wurtzinger

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Honored By

John D. Augsburger

Relationship

Nephew

SERVED IN THE PACIFIC CAMPAIGN WITH 7TH MARINES AS A MACHINE GUNNER. HE EARNED THE SILVER STAR IN THE BATTLE FOR PELELIU AFTER A LONG NIGHT IN WHICH HE REPELLED ENEMY ATTACKS ON HIS SQUAD'S POSITION WITH HAND GRENADES, HAVING RUN OUT OF MACHINE GUN AMMUNITION AND AMMO FOR HIS .45 PISTOL. SEVERAL DAYS LATER HE WAS SHOT THROUGH THE FOREARM BY A JAPANESE SNIPER IN CAVE, AND EVENTUALLY HE WAS EVACUATED FROM THEATER.