World War II Honoree

James W. Freeman

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Fairview, North Carolina

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. On August 1, 1940, he entered the United States Marine Corps from North Carolina, receiving his Marine Combat Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina. Served with Company-A as a Rifleman, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, a subordinate unit of the 4th Marine ‘The Fighting Fourth’ 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. Killed in Action Sunday, February 25, 1945 and buried in the Fourth Marine Division cemetery on Iwo. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his family received his remains for burial, with interment at the Green Hills Cemetery in Asheville, North Carolina. He had experienced combat in three previous Operations/Campaigns: Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.