World War II Honoree

James E. Bassett, III

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Lexington, Kentucky

Honored By

Ed Armento

Relationship

Friend

WHILE STUDENT AT YALE UNIVERSITY (1942) JOINED MARINE CORPS. FOLLOWING GRADUATION (1944) COMMISSIONED AS SECOND LIEUTENANT THROUGH BASIC TRAINING (PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA) AND OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (QUANTICO, VIRGINIA). SERVED WITH 'B' COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 4TH MARINE REGIMENT, 6TH MARINE DIVISION IN PACIFIC THEATER, PARTICIPATING IN EPIC INVASION OF OKINAWA (1945), WHERE TWICE WOUNDED NEAR MOUNT YAETAKE AND EVACUATED TO USS SAMARITAN (HOSPITAL SHIP) AND LATER TO SAIPAN. REJOINED UNIT IN GUAM FOR RETRAINING AND RE-SUPPLY, THEREAFTER PARTICIPATING IN OCCUPATION OF JAPAN AT YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE PRIOR TO FORMAL SURRENDER OF JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 1945). HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM MARINE CORPS AS 1ST LIEUTENANT.