World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Merton J. Batchelder
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Honored By
Michael O'Neil
GENERAL. ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, 4TH MARINE DIVISION, (AT THAT TIME A COLONEL), FROM THE ACTIVATION OF THE DIVISION STATESIDE AND IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS DURING 'FLINTLOCK', THE KWAJALIEN ATOLL OPERATION. RELIEVED OF THAT ASSIGNMENT MID-1944 TO TAKE COMMAND OF 25TH MARINE REGIMENT, 4TH MARINE DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE. COMMANDING OFFICER OF REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM 25 DURING THE ASSAULT AND CAPTURE OF BOTH SAIPAN AND TINIAN IN THE MARIANA ISLAND CHAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY RELIEVED AND ASSIGNED AS CHIEF OF STAFF, 4TH MARINE DIVISION, 5TH AMPHIBIOUS CORPS DURING THE ASSAULT AND CAPTURE OF IWO JIMA, VOLCANO ISLANDS IN FEBRUARY-MARCH 1945. AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN COMBAT ON TINIAN, MARIANA ISLANDS.