World War II Honoree

Frank Edistty

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Tohatchi, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps August 12, 1942 with induction at Gallup, New Mexico. He completed basic training with the Seventh Recruit Battalion Recruit Depot; Marine Corps Base San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton Oceanside, California for combat training. Following infantry training, he served as a Rifleman with Bravo Company, First Battalion, Ninth Marine Regiment, an element of the Third Marine Division Location: Western Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the amphibious assault on the Volcanic Island of Iwo Jima and occupation (Battle Dates: February 19-March 26, 1945) Code Name: Operation Detachment. Tuesday, March 7, 1945 he was reported missing in action, after a combat engagement with the Imperial Japanese forces. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Honolulu Memorial Location: Honolulu, Hawaii. His missing in action status was amended to read killed in action Friday March 8, 1946. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.