World War II Honoree

Jim Freel

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Topeka, Kansas

Honored By

Allan Henderson

Enlisted in 1943, qualified as a parachutist and assigned to K Company, 3rd Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment. Served in the 3rd Marine Division in New Caledonia and Bougainville, New Guinea. Assigned as cadre to D Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division and assaulted Iwo Jima. Wounded by shrapnel in the back, neck and head. Awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal, WWII Victory Medal, Rifle Expert Badge and parachutist badge.