World War II Honoree

Billy D. Harrell

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Canadian, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps from Texas. He completed basic training with the Eighth 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. He served as a Rifleman, assigned to India Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, an element of the First Marine ‘the Old Breed’ Division. His division participated in the amphibious assault, and occupation of Peleliu Island Location: Western Pacific Theater of Operations. Thursday, September 28, 1944 he was killed in action, during offensive operations against the Imperial army forces. Personnel from a Graves Registration Company buried him in the U.S. Armed Forces Peleliu battlefield cemetery. In the post-war era, this Marines’ family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, with interment October 29, 1948 Location: San Antonio, Texas. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.