World War II Honoree

Harleigh Farwell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pateros, Washington

Honored By

Son Ellis D. Farwell & LTC Charles T. Borg, USA-Ret.

ENLISTED JULY 1944 AND JOINED 383RD INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE 96TH DIVISION 'THE DEADEYES' AS IT FINISHED BATTLES IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. ON MARCH 25, 1945 SAILED FROM LEYTE GULF IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND HEADED FOR THE INVASION OF OKINAWA. ON EASTER SUNDAY 1945 HE WAS IN INITIAL AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT LANDING. BY LATE AFTERNOON THE UNIT HAD SECURED A BEACH HEAD ALLOWING REENFORCEMENTS TO COME ASHORE. SEVERAL WEEKS OF HEAVY FIGHTING FOLLOWED AGAINST WELL ENTRENCHED JAPANESE. ON MAY 11 THE 96TH WAS ORDERED TO BREAK THE MAIN JAPANESE DEFENSE LINE ON OKINAWA. HE WAS WOUNDED ON MAY 30 ON SUGAR CONICAL RIDGE AFTER 11 STRAIGHT DAYS OF INTENSE FIGHTING IN BAYONET RANGE AND WAS EVACUATED TO ARMY GENERAL HOSPITAL ON SAIPAN. AFTER WOUNDS HEALED, HE WAS DISCHARGED HAVING EARNED COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND ARROWHEAD FOR ASSAULT LANDING ON OKINAWA, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, AND EXPERT RIFLEMAN BADGE.