World War II Honoree

Bruce Amburgey

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Frenchburg, Kentucky

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS JANUARY 3, 1942 AND PARTICIPATED IN BASIC COMBAT INFANTRY TRAINING AT THE MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER, WHERE HE EXPERIENCE COMBAT WITH FOX COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 1ST MARINE REGIMENT, A SUBORDINATE UNIT OF THE FIRST MARINE ‘THE OLD BREED’ DIVISION. HE FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF PELELIU, CODE NAME: OPERATION STALEMATE II (INVASION DATES: FRIDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER-25 NOVEMBER 1944). ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1944 HE DIED OF WOUNDS SUFFERED IN COMBAT AND BURIED AT SEA BY ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION. HE IS MEMORIALIZED IN THE TABLETS OF THE MISSING AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL, LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: PURPLE HEART, MARINE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. THIS AMERICAN PATRIOT WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, WHO SO GALLANTLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY.