World War II Honoree

James F. Farrell

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Waterbury, Connecticut

Honored By

Jamie Farrell & Lisa A. Pelletier

Relationship

Son & Daughter

ENLISTED ON APRIL 20, 1944 AND CALLED INTO ACTIVE DUTY ON JUNE 27TH, REPORTING TO THE SIXTH RECRUIT BATTALION, MARINE BARRACKS AT PARRIS ISLAND, SC FOR BASIC TRAINING. ON OCTOBER 23RD WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE 9TH BATTALION OF THE INFANTRY TRAINING REGIMENT AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NC AND THEN ASSIGNED TO THE 34TH REPLACEMENT DRAFT - 3RD MARINE DIVISION EMBARKING ABOARD THE USS ROCHAMBEAU AP63 ON NOV. 12, SAILING FROM SAN DIEGO, CA, ARRIVING AND DISEMBARKING AT GUAM ISLAND ON DEC. 29, 1944. ON FEB 17, 1945 HE BOARDED THE USS ALMANACK, LANDING ON FEB 24TH ON IWO JIMA, VOLCANIC ISLAND WITH THE 3RD MARINE DIV. HE PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT AGAINST ENEMY FORCES IN THE DIVISION'S ATTACK THRU THE HEAVILY FORTIFIED CENTER SECTION OF THE ISLAND TO CAPTURE AIRFIELD NO 2, FACING DETERMINED ENEMY RESISTANCE FROM PILLBOXES, CAVES AND COVERED ARTILLERY RESULTING IN HEAVY CASUALTIES UNTIL FINALLY COMPLETING THE MISSION ON MARCH 9TH. ON MARCH 23RD HE BOARDED THE USS ADMIRAL HUGHES AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, DOCKING AT SAN FRANCISCO, CA. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AT MARE ISLAND, CA ON JUNE 22, 1945. WAS AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION MEDAL, AND THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL PIN.