World War II Honoree

Erda Aaron Gooch

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Aurora, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps January 12, 1943 at Denver, Colorado. Following his Basic Military at the Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California and infantry training at Camp Pendleton Oceanside, California. And along with any additional training; he was deployed to the Central Pacific Theater of Operations. He served in Company India as a Rifleman, assigned to the Third Battalion, Second Marines and an element of the Second Marine Division. His division participated in the amphibious assault on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Gilbert Islands Code Name: Operation Galvanic. Saturday, November 20, 1943 he was fatally wounded, during offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. Personnel from a Grave and Registration buried him in the Betio Lone Palm battlefield cemetery. In the post-war era, this Marines’ family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at: Golden Gate National Cemetery, with interment October 22, 1947 Location: San Bruno, California. In his Memory, this American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.