World War II Honoree

Howard Maurice Autrey

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Los Angeles, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps August 31, 1942 at Los Angeles, California. Following his Basic Military Training at the Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California; he completed infantry training at Camp Pendleton Oceanside, California. And along with any additional training; he was deployed to the Western Pacific Theater of Operations. He served in Company Fox as a Rifleman, assigned to the Second Battalion, First Marines and an element of the First Marine ‘the Old Breed’ Division. His division participated in the amphibious assault, and occupation of Peleliu Island. On Monday, September 18, 1944 he was killed in action, during offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Armed 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: Manila American Cemetery Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. He served his Country with Pride and Honor. In his Memory, this American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Medal. The Purple Heart was awarded for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice.