Harold Roy Rediske

After graduation and prior to enlistment, spent six months working for Contractors Pacific Naval Air Bases (CPNAB) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Returned to Montana in April 1943.

Enlisted at Butte, Montana on 7 May 1943; boot camp at MCRD San Diego and advanced training with Infantry Battalion, Camp Elliott. Joined Baker Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton on 26 August 1943.

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)
Important Events:
February 2, 1944 – wounded in action (multiple, unspecified type, slight); evacuated to USS Sheridan.
February 4, 1944 – returned to duty

Awarded Silver Star Medal for actions during the battle:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harold R. Rediske (MCSN: 854523), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese force on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, on 1 and 2 February 1944. Although sustaining painful wounds, Private First Class Rediske repeatedly exposed himself in order to maintain fire against the enemy. Unmindful of his own danger in his efforts to aid casualties lying in the field of fire, he fearlessly crawled forward under withering small-arms fire to bring one man back to safety, to aid another in returning to the beach and to direct corpsmen with stretchers in the evacuation of several others, thereby contributing materially to the saving of many Marines who otherwise might have perished. By his fortitude, dauntless spirit of self-sacrifice and steadfast devotion to duty, Private First Class Rediske rendered valiant service and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Campaign Narrative

Joined Headquarters and Service Company, 24th Marines, on 21 April 1944. Reclassified as MOS 636 (Scout & Observer) and assigned duty with the regimental intelligence (R-2) section.

Participated in the campaigns for Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima with H&S/24th Marines. Awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service on Tinian:

For heroic achievement in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Regiment on Tinian, Mariana Islands, on 2 August 1944. As a member of a regimental observation post which was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire, Corporal Rediske, without thought of his personal safety, went to the aid of a severely wounded man. His action in pulling a fellow Marine back from the lip of an eighty-foot cliff while under direct fire from an enemy machine gun less than fifteen yards away, required the exercise of great presence of mind and was an exhibition of cold courage. His courage and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Returned to continental United States with H&S/24th Marines, October 1945. Transferred to Second Separation Company, Navy Yard Mare Island on 19 October. Honorably discharged on 3 November 1945.