World War II Honoree

Robert Lee Poile

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Elmhurst, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. He entered the United States Marine Corps from Illinois, receiving his Basic Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Served with Company-E as a Rifleman, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment a subordinate unit of the 5th Marine ‘The Spearhead/Fighting Fifth’ Division in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval forces on the Volcanic Island of Iwo Jima (Battle Dates: February 19-March 26, 1945) Code Name: Operation Detachment. On Saturday, March 10, 1945, he died of wound received on the battlefield and buried in the Fifth Marine Division cemetery on Iwo. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were transferred to Honolulu, with interment February 1, 1949 in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii. This Marine, an American Patriot awarded the Purple Heart with a Gold Star posthumously, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.