| NAME: Donald E. Carlson |
NICKNAME: — |
SERVICE NUMBER: 807 99 59 |
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| HOME OF RECORD: Unknown |
NEXT OF KIN: Unknown |
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| DATE OF BIRTH: | SERVICE DATES: | DATE OF DEATH: | |||||
| CAMPAIGN | UNIT | MOS | RATE | RESULT | |||
| IWO JIMA | 1/24 | Corpsman | PhM3c | ||||
| INDIVIDUAL DECORATIONS: Bronze Star |
LAST KNOWN RANK: Pharmacist’s Mate, Third Class |
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Donald Carlson joined the Navy in 1944. He trained at the Medical Field Service School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and as a Hospital Apprentice 1st Class was sent to the 13th Antiaircraft Artillery Battery. He shipped over to San Diego with the battery’s dispensary detachment.
Carlson was promoted to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class in September and, along with several other corpsmen from the 13th, was reassigned to a replacement battalion. He was sent to the Fourth Marine Division at Camp Maui; on October 23, he would find a billet with First Battalion, 24th Marines.
Doc Carlson fought through the battle of Iwo Jima and survived unscathed; on April 13, 1945, he was recommended for the Bronze Star medal for his actions in the fighting. He received the award in July, but was hospitalized four days later for disease or injury. Carlson transferred to a Navy hospital on Oahu on July 21, and did not return to the battalion before the end of the war.
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