Boot camp at Parris Island; outposted to Engineer Battalion, Camp Lejeune, for further training. Assigned to Dog Company, Second Battalion (Pioneers) in summer 1943.
Participated in the battles of Roi-Namur (private), Saipan, and Tinian (private first class) as a rifleman (MOS 745).
Battalion disbanded September 1944; joined Charlie Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Maui on 20 September 1944.