Donald Holt Shurmantine

Enlisted 17 May 1943 at Kansas City, Missouri. Boot camp at MCRD San Diego with 11th Recruit Battalion; outposted to Infantry Battalion, Camp Elliott, for additional training.

Joined Baker Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, on 26 August 1943.

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: Headquarters & Service Company, 24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)
Important Events:
Joined from B/1/24th Marines on 21 April 1944. Participated in entire battle for Saipan with H&S Company.

July 13, 1944 – transferred to HQ Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)
Important Events:
July 27, 1944 – wounded in action (shrapnel, left side of face); not evacuated
July 29, 1944 – wounded in action (shrapnel, left elbow & right side); not evacuated

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 636 (Scout)
Important Events:

Sergeant Dick Mawson: Don, what do you think was the closest call you had on that campaign?
Corporal Don Shurmantine: Well, at one time on Iwo, I had one very close call from a naval shell. It hit approximately 10 feet behind me. It was a pretty close call.
Mawson: How were you set up there? I mean, you were talking a little while ago about–
Shurmantine: There was two pinnacles on either side of me, about, say, 20 feet apart, maybe 15. And it had to come through there in order to hit where it did. And I was sitting right between there,  right in between the pinnacles.
Mawson: And the shell passed right over your head, then it hit beyond you?
Shurmantine: It did, yes.
Mawson: Was there anybody else hit when the thing exploded? I mean, any shrapnel bother anyone there?
Shurmantine: Yes, everyone around was hit. Everyone that was sitting around that area.
Mawson: You were rather a fortunate fellow there, Don.
Shurmantine: Yes, I think I’ve been pretty lucky so far.
Mawson: Well, I hope your luck holds out just as well in whatever the future might hold.

Campaign Narrative

Returned to Continental United States with HQ/1/24th Marines. Transferred to Separation Center, Great Lakes, Illinois on 21 October 1945 for processing and discharge. Honorably discharged from service on 31 October 1945.