World War II Honoree

William Charles Feltmeier

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Saint Louis, Missouri

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps August 28, 1942 from Missouri. His boot camp training took place with the Sixth 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 Mike Company, Third 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 Jefferson National Cemetery in Saint Louis, Missouri. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.