World War II Honoree

H. Dwight Woodward

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Apache, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN 1944. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 21ST MARINE REGIMENT, 3RD MARINE 'FIGHTING THIRD' DIVISION DURING THE WAR. STATIONED ON GUAM IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS AND ON IWO JIMA IN THE BONIN ISLANDS. HIS DIVISION WAS INITIALLY HELD IN RESERVE, BUT HIS REGIMENT WENT ASHORE ON FEBRUARY 20, 1945 (D+1), AND ENTERED COMBAT. HE WITNESSED THE RAISING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG ON MOUNT SURIBACHI AND WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION DURING COMBAT OPERATIONS ON IWO JIMA. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.