World War II Honoree

Eugene A. Ahearn

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

New York City, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. HE WAS A UNITED STATES MARINE, WHO SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS AS A RIFLEMAN ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE COMPANY, 4TH ENGINEER BATTALION, 24TH MARINES, 4TH MARINE ‘FIGHTING FOURTH’ DIVISION. ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1945 HE PARTICIPATED IN THE D-DAY ASSAULT LANDING IN THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA (FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 26, 1945), CODE NAME: OPERATION DETACHMENT, IN WHICH HE WAS KILLED. HE WAS BURIED IN THE FOURTH MARINE DIVISION BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY ON IWO AND AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH JAPAN, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY IN NEW YORK, WITH INTERMENT IN A PRIVATE CEMETERY. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: PURPLE HEART, COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. THE MARINE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.