World War II Honoree

Thomas L. Wetherington

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

San Diego, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. SERVED WITH D COMPANY, F BATTERY, 1ST SEPARATE MARINE BATTALION STATIONED ON THE ISLAND OF LUZON. WHEN THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES INVADED THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION DECEMBER 10, 1941 WHEN JAPANESE BOMBERS BOMBED THE CAVITE NAVAL BASE. HE DIED FROM BOMB SHRAPNEL WOUNDS AND WAS THE FIRST MARINE TO LOSE HIS LIFE IN THE DEFENSE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. LATER DECLARED MISSING IN ACTION AND MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL.