World War II Honoree

George M. J. Berwanger

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps October 7, 1939 and served in the Pacific Theater. Commanded a Rifle Squad assigned to Golf 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. Thursday, October 8, 1942 he was mortally wounded while engaged in combat with the Japanese Imperial Forces in the Matanikau River area and buried in an unmarked field grave. Reported missing in action on the day of his death and in memory, he is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, located at Fort Bonifacio, Philippine Islands. He is honored at the Guadalcanal American Memorial located on Skyline Drive overlooking the town of Honiara. 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.