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James Walter Freeman

Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 515897
Born

May 5, 1924
in Fairview, NC

Parents

Robert Winslow Freeman
Sue Delia (Reed) Freeman

School

Fairview High School
Mars Hill College

Pre-War Employment

College student

Entered Service

December 3, 1942
at Raleigh, NC

Joined First Battalion

September 8, 1943
from Rifle Range Detachment, Quantico

Left First Battalion

February 25, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima

Left Service

February 25, 1945
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

Highway 74, Fairview, NC – address of father, Mr. Robert W. Freeman

Service & Campaigns
Before joining battalion

Assigned to Platoon Leader’s Unit, Sixth Reserve District, on inactive duty after enlistment. Called to active duty 5 April 1943; boot camp at Parris Island with Second Recruit Battalion. Outposted to Rifle Range Detachment, MCB Quantico, as small arms instructor through September 1943.

Joined Able Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, on 8 September 1943.

Roi-Namur

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 746 (Automatic Rifleman)

Campaign Narrative

Saipan

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 746 (Automatic Rifleman)
Important Events:
July 8, 1944 – wounded in action (shell fragments, both legs), exact circumstances unknown. Evacuated to USS Relief for treatment.

Commended for “excellent service in the line of his duties” on Saipan.

Campaign Narrative

Tinian

Sick aboard USS Relief through 4 August 1944. Participated in occupation of Tinian until departure with rest of regiment on 5 August 1944.

Campaign Narrative

Iwo Jima

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 746 (Automatic Rifleman)
Important Events:
February 25, 1945 – killed in action (Shrapnel wound, chest); exact circumstances unknown.
March 12, 1945 – buried in Plot 1, Row 33, Grave 1603, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery

Campaign Narrative

Individual Decorations

Medal
Letter of Commendation
Purple Heart
– with Gold Star

Campaign
Saipan (June 15 – July 8, 1944)
Saipan (July 8, 1944)
Iwo Jima (February 25, 1944)

Citation
“For excellent service in the line of his duties…”

Gallery

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