World War II Honoree

Sam W. Easly

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Anson, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps September 14, 1943 at Dallas, Texas, with recruit training assigned to the Third Recruit Battalion Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton Oceanside, California for combat training. Served as a Rifleman with the Third Marine Division Location: Western Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Alpha Company, First Battalion and Ninth Marine Regiment. His division participated in the amphibious assault on the Volcanic Island of Iwo Jima (Battle Dates: February 19-March 26, 1945) Code Name: Operation Detachment. Killed in Action February 27, 1945 during combat operations against the Imperial Japanese forces, with burial in the Third Marine Division battlefield cemetery on Iwo. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine requested that he be buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, Anson, Texas. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.