World War II Honoree

Carl E. Cooper

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Rand, West Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS AUGUST 24, 1942 AND ATTENDED BOOT CAMP AT THE MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS AS A MACHINE GUNNER, ASSIGNED TO C-COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 24TH MARINES, 4TH MARINE ‘FIGHTING FOURTH’ DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT, CODE NAME: OPERATION FLINTLOCK (31 JANUARY-3 FEBRUARY 1944) IN THE BATTLE OF RIO-NAMUR, AN ISLAND LOCATED IN THE KWAJALEIN ATOLL, MARSHALL ISLANDS CAMPAIGN. KILLED IN ACTION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1944 AND HE WAS BURIED IN THE MILITARY CEMETERY ON ENNYLABEGAN ISLAND, AN ISLAND ALSO LOCATED IN THE KWAJALEIN ATOLL. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH JAPAN, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, WITH INTERMENT IN THE SAWMILL CEMETERY, WINEFREDE JUNCTION, WEST VIRGINIA.