World War II Honoree

Benjamin P. Morgan

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Mine Creek, Arkansas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS JUNE 1, 1943 AND ATTENDED BOOT CAMP AT THE MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO E-COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARINE ‘FIGHTING THIRD’ DIVISION. ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1944 HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION DURING THE BATTLE OF BOUGAINVILLE (1 NOVEMBER 1943-21 AUGUST 1945), CODE NAME: OPERATION CHERRY BLOSSOM, SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN. HE WAS BURIED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS CEMETERY ON BOUGAINVILLE AND AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH JAPAN, HIS REMAINS WERE TRANSFERRED TO HONOLULU, WITH INTERMENT IN THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC, ‘PUNCHBOWL’ HAWAII. DECORATION AND CITATION: THE MARINE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.