World War II Honoree

John Richard Hale

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Baldwin, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Hospital Apprentice First Class. In July of 1943, he entered the United States Navy from New York, receiving his medical schooling with Company-A, Field Medical School Battalion, Camp Elliott Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California. Served as a Combat Medic with the Fourth Battalion, Thirteenth Marine Regiment, a subordinate unit of the Fifth 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. Killed in Action Monday, March 12, 1945 and buried in the Fifth Marine Division cemetery on Iwo. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his family received his remains for burial, with interment at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Hastings, New York. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.