World War II Honoree

Gerald L. Gwaltney

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Hiddnite, North Carolina

Honored By

Miranda Starnes

Relationship

Friend

JOINED THE U.S. MARINE CORPS ON JANUARY 8, 1942, ONE MONTH AFTER THE BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR. HE WAS SWORN IN TO THE MARINE CORPS IN JULY OF 1942. HE WAS BASED OUT IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN. HE SERVED IN 4 MAJOR BATTLES. THE BATTLE OF ROI-NAMUR, SAIPAN, TINIAN, AND IWO JIMA. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN MARCH OF 1946 AFTER BEING WOUNDED IN IWO JIMA. HE SPENT ONE YEAR IN THE HOSPITAL BACK IN THE UNITED STATES.