World War II Honoree

Francis E. Drake, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Springfield, Massachusetts

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. On August 7, 1941, he entered the United States Marine Corps from Massachusetts, receiving his Boot Camp Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Served in Company-C as a Rifleman, First Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, and a subordinate unit of the First Marine ‘the Old Breed’ Division in the Southwestern Pacific Theater of Operations. His Division participated in the amphibious assault against the Japanese Imperial Army and Naval forces on the island of Guadalcanal (Battle Dates: Aug 7, 1942-Feb 9, 1943) Solomon Islands Campaign, Code Name: Operation Watchtower. Killed in Action Friday, October 9, 1942 during a reconnaissance patrol, in the area of Point Cruz Peninsula, and buried in the battlefield. In remembrance of the brave, his name is recorded in the tablets of the Missing, memorialized at the American Cemetery in Manila, Philippine Islands. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company, Quartermaster Corps conducted recovery operations on Guadalcanal and his remains were not recovered. In 2011 a local resident, who resided on the Island discovered some remains near his home. He notified a state archaeologist of his findings, who transferred the remains to the defense prisoner of war/missing in action accounting agency in Hawaii, where he was identified. The remains of this Marine were interred with Military Honors, May 25, 2018 at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, Massachusetts. He received the following awards posthumously: Silver Star and the Purple Heart. The Silver Star awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against the Japanese forces on Guadalcanal. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.