World War II Honoree

George E. Ernest

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Elmira, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps October 6, 1942 at Syracuse, New York. His boot camp training took place with the Thirteenth Recruit Battalion Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base at Parris Island, South Carolina. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Served as a Rifleman with the Third Marine Division in the South Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Mike Company, Third Battalion and Third Marine Regiment. His division participated in the Battle of Bougainville (Battle Dates: November 1, 1943–August 21, 1945), Solomon Islands Campaign Code Name: Operation Cherry Blossom. Killed in action, Sunday, November 21, 1943 during combat operations against the Imperial Japanese forces, and buried in the U.S. Armed Forces Cemetery, Finschaffen #5 British New Guinea Island. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest April 29, 1949 at the Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, New York. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.