World War II Honoree

Richard Lee Powell

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Bear, Delaware

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. On July 24, 1941, he entered into the United States Marine Corps from Ohio, receiving his Basic Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina. Served with Company-C as a Rifleman, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment a subordinate unit of the First Marine ‘The Old Breed’ Division in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Imperial Japanese Army forces on the Island of Peleliu (Battle Dates: September 15-November 25, 1944), Code Name: Operation Stalemate II. Wednesday, September 27, 1944 he died of wounds received on the battlefield and buried at sea. In remembrance of the Brave, his name is recorded in the Tablets of the Missing, memorialized at the American Cemetery located at Fort Bonifacio in Manila, Philippine Islands. He had experienced combat in a previous operation/campaign: Guadalcanal/Solomon Islands. This Marine an American Patriot, awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, who so gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.