World War II Honoree

Walter William Wensinger

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Defiance, Ohio

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

Appointed assistant director of the Staff and Command Course at the Marine Corps Schools at Quantico. With the activation of 4th Marine Division, he appointed divisional assistant chief of staff for operations and training. He was sent to the Pacific and took part in the Battle of Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands, then the Mariana Islands Campaign. He led 23rd Marines during the Battle of Iwo Jima. After the Japanese surrender, he served as chief of staff, Advance Command Post and represented V Amphibious Corps and Sixth Army in dealing with Japanese authorities in Southern Japan and accepted the surrender of Sasebo. Received Navy Cross, Legion of Merit with Combat 'V', one 5/16" Gold Star, Navy Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Yangtze Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four 3/16" service stars, WWII Victory Medal, and Navy Occupation Service Medal.