World War II Honoree

Kenneth Milton Hatch

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Providence, Rhode Island

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant. On July 17, 1942, he entered the United States Marine Corps from Rhode Island, receiving his Boot Camp Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Served with Company-L as a Rifleman, 3rd Battalion, 23rd 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. He died Wednesday, February 28, 1945 of wounds received on the battlefield 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 Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.