World War II Honoree

Hugh D. Farwell

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Pateros, Washington

Honored By

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

JOINED IN 1942 TO BECOME A PARATROOPER IN THE 3RD MARINE PARACHUTE BATTALION. SAW HEAVY COMBAT ACTION IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS IN BOUGAINVILLE AND VELLA LA VELLA CAMPAIGNS IN 1943-1944 WHERE U.S. FORCES WERE CLEARING ISLAND BY ISLAND TO ELIMINATE JAPANESE DOMINATION IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC. IN LATE 1944 WAS ASSIGNED TO 5TH MARINE DIVISION AS A MACHINE GUN SQUAD LEADER. IN FEBRUARY 1945 WAS IN THE FIRST AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT WAVE COMING ASHORE ON THE ISLAND OF IWO JIMA WHICH WAS TO BECOME ONE OF THE BLOODIEST BATTLES OF THE WAR. HE WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AND EVACUATED TO A NAVY HOSPITAL SHIP ANCHORED OFF SHORE, THEN TO NAVAL HOSPITAL IN HAWAII. DISCHARGED IN 1946 HAVING EARNED THE SILVER STAR FOR HEROIC ACTION, PURPLE HEART, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD DENOTING BOTH PARACHUTE AND AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT LANDINGS AND SEVEN BRONZE COMBAT ACTION STARS, PARACHUTIST BADGE, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.