World War II Honoree

Joe Wharton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ventura, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. Inducted into the United States Army June 24, 1941 at Los Angeles, California, with recruit Training at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he attended Paratrooper Combat Infantry Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Served with the U.S. Army, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. His regiment made a combat jump on Fortress Corregidor AKA: the Rock February 16, 1945, against the Imperial Japanese forces. Killed in Action April 24, 1945, during the re-capture of the Island, with burial in the United States Armed Forces Battlefield Cemetery, Manila #2 Philippine Islands. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Soldier requested that he be buried at Manila American Cemetery Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.