World War II Honoree

John W. Easley

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Hollywood, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel. A United States Marine Corps Infantry Officer, who served as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment an element of the Second Marine Division, in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the amphibious assault on the island of Tinian (Battle Dates: July 24–August 3, 1944) Northern Mariana Islands Campaign. Killed in action August 2, 1944 during combat operations against the Imperial Japanese army forces, with burial in the U.S. armed forces battlefield cemetery on Tinian. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine requested that he be buried at Highland Burial Park Cemetery Location: Danville, Virginia. This American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Silver Star and the Purple Heart. The Silver Star awarded for Distinguished Gallantry in Action and Valor in Combat against an enemy force, and the Purple Heart for his ultimate sacrifice.