World War II Honoree

Jerry Nedbalec

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Houston, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Platoon Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps July 3, 1940 and received his Basic Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Served in the Pacific Theater and experienced combat assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine ‘The Silent Second’ Division. Participated in the Battle of Tarawa, which was fought on the Island of Betio located on the Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands (Dates of Battle: November 20-November 23, 1943), Code Name: Operation Galvanic. Monday, November 22, 1943 he died of wounds sustained in combat and buried at sea by Administrative Decision. In memory, he is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing, Honolulu National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii. Decoration and Citation: Purple Heart. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.