World War II Honoree

Lee Arnold Preston

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Spokane, Washington

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps June 2, 1938 at Seattle, Washington, with recruit training assigned to the Fourth 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. Following Basic and advanced infantry training, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands and based at Fort Mills Location: Corregidor Island AKA: the Rock. Served as Squad Leader with Fox Company, Second Battalion and Fourth Marine Regiment. His unit participated in the Battle of Corregidor against the Imperial Japanese forces (Battle Dates: May 5-6, 1942). Captured on the second day of the invasion, when his Commander General Wainwright capitulated to the enemy. As a prisoner, he was transferred to the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan, Luzon Island. He died of unknown causes December 24, 1942, with burial in the camp cemetery. Succeeding hostilities with Japan personnel from a Graves Registration Company disinterred his remains from the camp cemetery, and were laid to rest in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery Location: Manila #2 Manila, Philippine Islands. The family of this Marine requested that he be buried with Military Honors at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery Location: Spokane, Washington. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.