World War II Honoree

Paul Richard Garrity

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Indianapolis, Iowa

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private 1st Class. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps February 20, 1943 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 Headquarters 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, Code Name: Operation Galvanic. Reported Missing in Action, Lost at Sea Saturday, November 20, 1943 on the first day of the invasion. In Memory, he is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing, Honolulu National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii. Decoration and Citation: This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.