World War II Honoree

Irl E. Palmer

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Hutchinson, Kansas

Honored By

Betty

Relationship

Wife

ENTERED THE SERVICE IN 1942 AND AFTER BOOT CAMP ASSIGNED TO THE 2D MARINE DIVISION IN NEW ZEALAND. PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASIONS OF TARAWA, SAIPAN AND TINIAN. WHILE ABOARD THE USS HINSDALE APA-120, MADE THE INVASION OF OKINAWA WHILE UNDER ATTACK BY KAMIKAZE AIRCRAFT. SHIP WAS HIT AND SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGE BUT WAS NOT SUNK. AFTER THE DROPPING OF THE ATOMIC BOMB ON NAGASAKI, HE WAS ONE OF THREE AMERICANS TO ENTER THE CITY. HE SERVED AS A GUARD FOR AN OFFICER AND A RADIO OPERATOR.