World War II Honoree

Darrell William Heath

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Jason Veto

Relationship

Grandson

PRIVATE, SERVED WITH L COMPANY OF THE 3RD BATTALION, 8TH MARINES, 2ND MARINE DIVISION DURING WWII. ON NOVEMBER 20, 1943, HIS 3/8 MARINES WERE ORDERED TO LAND ON THE ISLAND OF BETIO IN TARAWA ATOLL. BY ALL ACCOUNTS, THE LANDING WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND MANY CASUALTIES WERE ENDURED. HE MADE IT TO THE BEACH THAT DAY BUT WAS WOUNDED AND EVACUATED ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 21ST. FOR THIS, HE EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL. HE ALSO EARNED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR HIS UNIT'S ACTION AT TARAWA. HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN MAY OF 1944.