Henry Linker
"The Beast"
Marine Corps Regular | Service Number 212473
June 30, 1906
in Walla Walla, WA
Johannes Christianov “John” Linker
Katherine (Schoessler) “Katie” Linker
Details unknown
Professional Marine
August 17, 1927
at San Diego, CA
January 22, 1943
from Base Depot, Camp Elliott
June 28, 1944
Killed in action at Saipan
June 28, 1944
Killed in action
927 Willow Street, Walla Walla, Washington – home of mother, Mrs. Katie Linker
Service & Campaigns
Henry Linker first entered military service in 1925, intending to serve three years with the US Army. He reached the rank of corporal with the 161st Infantry before accepting an honorable discharge in order to enlist in the Marine Corps.
Linker’s pre-war Marine service included garrison duty on the West Coast, Pearl Harbor, and Guam, plus two tours of China duty with the 4th Marines. He returned to the United States in 1941 as a sergeant, and served at a base depot in San Diego before joining B/1/24th Marines at Camp Pendleton.
Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Gunnery Sergeant
MOS: 585 (Gunnery/First Sergeant)
Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Gunnery Sergeant
MOS: 585 (Gunnery/First Sergeant)
Important Events:
June 28, 1944 – killed in action (shrapnel wounds, head & chest)
Buried in Plot 3, Row 11, Grave 701, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery
Individual Decorations
Medal
Purple Heart
Campaign
Saipan
Citation
Service Stories
Please share a story if you knew this Marine.
Henry is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
We were to undergo a program of physical fitness [and] Gunny Linker would be in full control. That meant all officers, NCOs, and troops were under his command until this program was completed.... My physique was small and thin, 5’ 2” tall and topping the scales at slightly over 100 pounds. The combat gear which I carried was greater than my body weight. The Beast singled me from the rest and said this outfit was for men and there was no place for a girl like me. He said I should be wearing a skirt and be under the protection of my mother.
[When I reported for extra duty,] Gunny met me at the doorway and invited me inside. My intuition told me to stand outside, where if necessary I could run. But I accepted his hospitality and entered. His tone mellowed and compassion was displayed in his voice and actions. He asked me to sit at ease. Gunny told me the story of his life during his thirty years as a Marine. The Marines was his family and the Marine Corps was the only life he knew. He refused to retire because of this reason. It was his duty to teach the young men to protect themselves. He explained I was too small to carry all the weight necessary for me to perform my duty. He said he was watching my every move, liked my spunk, and intended to turn me into a Marine.
He was responsible for the most fit Company in the Division. He gained the respect of all Marines and we no longer referred to him as “The Beast.” [His death] was a great loss to our Company because we lost our leader. Whether or not any officer would admit it, we all knew Gunny ran the Company.
He was my great uncle. Two of his other brothers served in WWll also.