World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
David K. Claude
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Annapolis, Maryland
Honored By
David K. Claude, Jr.
Relationship
Son
THE SILVER STAR MEDAL WITH CITATION HAD BEEN POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED TO HIS WIFE BY THE PRESIDENT. ALSO RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART POSTHUMOUSLY. ATTACHED TO THE 2ND MARINE DIVISION DURING ACTION AGAINST JAPANESE FORCES ON TARAWA, GILBERT ISLANDS, NOVEMBER 20-22, 1943. WHILE UNDER A BARRAGE OF ENEMY FIRE AND WHILE PROCEEDING TO THE BEACH IN A LANDING BOAT, LIEUTENANT COLONEL CLAUDE SIGHTED A NUMBER OF SERIOUSLY WOUNDED MEN IN DANGER OF DROWNING. PLUNGED INTO TREACHEROUS WATERS AND REPEATEDLY SWAM 30-75 YARDS IN ORDER TO BRING THE MEN BACK TO HIS OWN BOAT. THEN TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER CRAFT FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION.