World War II Honoree

Rollie Eugene Elmer

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Englewood, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. On September 12, 1942, he entered the United States Marine Corps from Colorado, 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 in Company-G as a Rifleman, Second Battalion, Twenty-Third Marine Regiment, and a subordinate unit of the Fourth Marine ‘the Fighting Fourth’ 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 Tuesday, February 20, 1945 and buried in the Fourth Marine Division battlefield cemetery on Iwo. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest, with interment at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.