World War II Honoree

Bob Clement

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Wisconsin

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, INCLUDING AS A MACHINE GUNNER AT TARAWA ATOLL IN THE GILBERT ISLANDS, WITH THE 2ND MARINE 'SILENT SECOND' DIVISION. DIVISION ASSAULT FORCES LANDED UNDER HIGH WINDS AND ROUGH SEA CONDITIONS, AND WERE MET WITH FIERCE ENEMY FIRE ON THE BEACHES. HE MANNED A MACHINE GUN AND A JAPANESE BULLET PENETRATED HIS HELMET AND FRACTURED HIS SKULL, WITHOUT INJURING HIS BRAIN. THE ROUND EXITED HIS HELMET LEAVING BEHIND AN ENTRY AND AN EXIT HOLE. HE WAS DAZED BUT ALIVE AND ABLE TO WALK AWAY. THE BATTLE FOR TARAWA WAS ONE OF THE BLOODIEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE MARINE CORPS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, NAVY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR ACTIONS BY THE DIVISION ON TARAWA ATOLL FROM NOVEMBER 20-24, 1943, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.