World War II Honoree

Buford Lee Aten

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

O'Donnell, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. On December 3, 1943, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps from Texas. His boot camp training took place with the Second 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 Fifth Marine Division in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Baker Company, First Battalion and Twenty-Eighth Marine Regiment. His division participated in the amphibious assault on the Volcanic Island of Iwo Jima (Battle Dates: February 19-March 26, 1945) Code Name: Operation Detachment. Killed in Action Monday, February 19, 1945 during combat operations against the Imperial Japanese forces, and buried in the Fifth 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 April 14, 1949 at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.