World War II Honoree

William F. Gallagher

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Minnesota

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Staff Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps March 29, 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 with Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, First Amphibious Corps. Participated in the Battle of Bougainville (Battle Dates: November 1, 1943-21 August 1945), Solomon Islands Campaign, Code Name: Operation Cherry Blossom. Thursday, August 31, 1944 he was killed in action and buried in the Marine Corps Cemetery on Bougainville. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were transferred to Honolulu, with interment in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.