World War II Honoree

Frank S. Wright

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Arkadelphiia, Arkansas

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

Relationship

A Grateful American

On January 21, 1942 at the age of 16, he enlisted in the US Marines Corps. He served four years and was a member of the 4th Marine Raiders Special Forces with Colonel James Roosevelt as commander. He fought in four major battles, traveled between islands on eleven different Navy ships, was wounded by a bayonet in the stomach while recapturing Guam, and was shot in the chest and arm by machine gun fire on the island of Iwo Jima. He witnessed the first and second raising of the U. S. flag over Mt. Suribachi. You could hear horns honking from nearby ships and cheers all over the island from troops. He spent the last six months of his enlistments as a Marine drill instructor training new recruits. Awarded a Purple Heart with two stars, the Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, Navy Unit Commendation, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with three battle stars, the Fleet Marine Force with four stars, the Marine Corps Expedition Medal, Combat Action with four stars, WWII Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal.