World War II Honoree

Theodore J. Alger

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. On December 1, 1942, he entered the United States Marine Corps from Michigan, receiving his Boot Camp Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California. Served with Company-A as a Rifleman, First Battalion, Second Marine Regiment, a subordinate unit of the Second Marine ‘the Silent Second’ Division in the Central Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Imperial Japanese army forces on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll in the Battle of Tarawa, Gilbert Islands Code Name: Operation Galvanic. Killed in Action Saturday, November 20, 1943 on the first day of the invasion, and buried in the Lone Palm Cemetery on Betio Island. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his family received his remains for burial, with interment at the Fairplains Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.