World War II Honoree

William P. Duckworth

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Crossville, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private 1st Class. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps January 8, 1942 and received his Basic Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Served in the Pacific Theater, where he experienced combat as a Rifleman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 'The Old Breed' Division. Participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal (Invasion Dates: August 7, 1942-February 9, 1943), Solomon Islands Campaign, Code Name: Operation Watchtower. On Saturday, September 26, 1942 he was reported as Missing in Action during a fire-fight with Japanese Armed Forces, when his battalion attempted to force its way across the Matanikau River. He is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, located at Fort Bonifacio, Philippine Islands and in the Red Marble Tablets of the Missing inscribed on the Guadalcanal American Memorial. Decoration and Citation: Purple Heart. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.