World War II Honoree

William Leslie Patrick

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Birmingham, Alabama

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. On January 26, 1942, he entered the United States Marine Corps from California, 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 Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Ninth Marine Regiment, and 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. He died Sunday, March 4, 1945 of wounds received on the battlefield 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 in the Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.