World War II Honoree

Rodeny Lee Babbitt

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Paxton, Nebraska

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps at Omaha, Nebraska. Following his Basic Military Training at the Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California; he completed infantry training at Camp Pendleton Oceanside, California. And with any additional training; he was deployed to the Northwest 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 Okinawa Island, the last major battle of World War II. On Friday, May 11, 1945 he was mortally wounded, during offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. Personnel from a Graves Registration Company buried him in the First Marine Division Okinawa Battlefield Cemetery. In the post-war era, this Marines’ family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at: Fort McPherson National Cemetery, with interment March 29, 1949 Location: Maxwell, Nebraska. 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.