World War II Honoree

Osbaldo R. Paredes

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Los Angeles, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. On October 4, 1941, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps from California. His boot camp training took place with the First 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 as a Rifle Team Leader with the Second Marine Division in the Central Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Headquarters Company, Second Battalion and Second Marine Regiment. 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 Saturday, November 20, 1943 on the first day of the invasion, and buried in the Lone Palm battlefield cemetery on Betio. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine requested that his remains be transferred to Honolulu. He was laid to rest February 17, 1949 in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii. He received the follow decorations posthumously: Navy Cross and the Purple Heart. The Navy Cross awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.