World War II Honoree

James William Ault

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Harrietta, Michigan

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. On January 12, 1943, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps from Michigan. His boot camp training took place with the Fourth Recruit Battalion, Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. Served in Company-F as a Rifleman, Second Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, and a subordinate unit of the Second Marine Division in the Central Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Imperial Japanese forces in the Battle of Tarawa. The combat engagement took place on the Island of Betio, located on the Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands Code Name: Operation Galvanic. Killed in action Monday, November 22, 1943 on the third day of the invasion, and buried in the Lone Palm battlefield cemetery on Betio Island. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest at the New Albany National Cemetery in New Albany, Indiana. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.