Verner Arvid Lilja, Jr.
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 467574
December 26, 1921
in Natick, MA
Verner Arvid Lilja, Sr.
Anna Greta (Nord) Lilja
Natick High School (1939)
House painter; employed by father
September 29, 1942
at Boston, MA
November 29, 1942
from Casual Company, TC New River
June 17, 1944
Wounded and evacuated from Saipan
February 28, 1945
Discharged result of medical survey
19 Erlandson Road, Natick, MA – address of parents, Verner & Anna Lilja
Service & Campaigns
Enlisted at Boston, Massachusetts, on 29 September 1942. Boot camp at Parris Island with Eleventh Recruit Battalion; completed boot training at New River, North Carolina. Outposted to Company A, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) at New River on 29 November 1942.
Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 746 (Automatic Rifleman)
Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 653 (Squad Leader)
Important Events:
June 15, 1944 – death of older brother, First Sergeant Ralph Lilja, of C/1/24th Marines.
June 17, 1944 – wounded in action (traumatic amputation, left leg); evacuated to unknown transport
Admitted to US Fleet Hospital #108 (Guadalcanal), date unknown. On 4 September 1944, evacuated to United States for continued treatment at US Naval Hospital Mare Island.
Medical survey recommended release from service on 17 February 1945; honorably discharged 28 February 1945.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Purple Heart
Campaign
Saipan (June 17, 1944)
Citation
Additional Information
Four Lilja brothers served in the Marine Corps during World War II:
1Sgt. Ralph Lilja, killed in action at Saipan on 15 June 1944
Edwin Lilja, retired as Master Sergeant after service in Korea
PFC George “Lucky” Lilja, killed in action at Peleliu on 19 September 1944; awarded Navy Cross
PFC Verner A. Lilja, Jr., wounded in action at Saipan on 17 June 1944
