World War II Honoree

Paul J. Hartkemeyer

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Cincinnati, Ohio

Honored By

Mrs. Edith B. Hartkemeyer

Relationship

Wife

ENTERED SERVICE FEBRUARY 20, 1942. BOOT CAMP AT U.S. MARINE CORPS, PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA. PROMOTED TO SERGEANT ON APRIL 28, 1944 WHILE SERVING ON FIRE DEPARTMENT AT PARRIS ISLAND BASE. AFTER VOLUNTEERING FOR OVERSEAS COMBAT DUTY, DEPARTED FROM CAMP LEJEUNE (NEW RIVER), NORTH CAROLINA ON APRIL 14, 1945 ABOARD THE TRANSPORT SHIP USS GRIGGS, AND ARRIVED AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON MAY 2, 1945. LATER, AFTER LANDING ASHORE AT NAHA, OKINAWA, ENGAGED IN COMBAT ON JUNE 11, 1945 WITH THE FIFTH MARINE INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION. WOUNDED BY ENEMY GRENADE IN COMBAT ON JUNE 20, 1945, ON SOUTHERN PENINSULA OF OKINAWA. RECEIVED PURPLE HEART AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS. DISCHARGED FROM GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS ON FEBRUARY 14, 1946.