World War II Honoree

James J. Gleason

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Ivyland, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

HE ENLISTED DAYS AFTER THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR. SERVED WITH THE MARINE 'FIGHTING FOURTH' DIVISION FROM 1944 TO 1945, SEEING ACTION IN THE BATTLES OF ROI-NAMUR, SAIPAN, TINIAN AND IWO JIMA. HE CHEERED SIX FELLOW MARINES AS THEY RAISED THE AMERICAN FLAG ON IWO JIMA. HIS DIVISION EARNED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND THE NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION FOR SERVICE ON IWO JIMA. ONE OF HIS DUTIES WAS TO SWEEP FOR LAND MINES WITH HIS BAYONET IN FRONT OF THE INVADING TANKS AND TROOPS.