World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
John E. Duffy
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Detroit, Michigan
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Private First Class. On January 23, 1942, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps at Detroit, Michigan. His boot camp training took place with the Fifth 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 Rifleman with the Second Marine Division in the Central Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Bravo Company, First Battalion and Eighth 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 received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest at the Roseland Park Cemetery in Royal Oak, Michigan. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.