Carl Edward Cooper

Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 444768

Born

November 17, 1918
in Mahan, WV

Parents

John Howard Cooper (d. 1928)
Carrie (Scott) Cooper (d. 1942)

School

Colcord High School (ex-1937)

Pre-War Employment

Pipe Fitter
E. T. duPont

Entered Service

August 24, 1942
at Charleston, WV

Joined First Battalion

October 25, 1942
from Training Camp New River

Left First Battalion

February 2, 1944
Killed in action at Namur

Left Service

February 2, 1944
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

General Delivery, Rand, WV – address of sister, Mrs. Doris Cooper Caldwell

Service & Campaigns

Before joining battalion

Enlisted with and served beside younger brother Howard “Junior” Cooper.

Boot camp at Parris Island; outposted to Training Center New River, North Carolina. Assigned to First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) on 25 October 1942; to Company D on 10 November 1942.

Roi-Namur

Outfit: D/1/24th Marines (3rd MG Platoon)
Rank: PFC
MOS: 504 (Ammo Carrier) – acting platoon runner
Important Events:
February 2, 1944 – killed in action (head wounds); exact circumstances unknown.

Campaign Narrative

Individual Decorations

Medal
Purple Heart

Campaign
Namur (Feb. 2, 1944)

Citation

Service Stories

Please share a story if you knew this Marine.

February 22, 1944
Dear Sarita,

The note I received when I got back to the “rest camp,” [censored] was the most welcome of any I have ever received. I wrote Doris when I was in the Marshall Islands and I meant the letter for all of you because I was unable to write to all of you separately. I find it awfully lonesome without Carl, but I am getting along fairly good now. But I know I’m going to miss him more as time goes on. I have all of his clothing and personal gear which I am going to have sent home.

I have no doubt whatever that Carl won’t [illegible]. He died with the bible in his pocket that his church sent him. I am sending it in his uniform [?] on the inside pocket.

I don’t want any of you to worry about me because I am in fine shape and just waiting to get another crack at the Japs.

All my love,
Junior