Richard Russell Rusher
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 918560
August 17, 1925
in York, PA
Warren Bowman Rusher, Sr.
Bessie Naomi (Kern) Rusher
William Penn High School
United Wallpaper Company
October 30, 1943
at Philadelphia, PA
September 20, 1944
from Third Provisional Marine Detachment
February 21, 1945
Wounded and evacuated from Iwo Jima
March 19, 1945
Died of wounds
729 Linden Avenue, York, PA – address of parents, Warren & Bessie Rusher
Service & Campaigns
Boot camp at Parris Island with Seventh Recruit Battalion. Outposted to Camp Lejeune; joined 49th Replacement Battalion for transport to Pacific area. Assigned to Third Provisional Marine Detachment, Camp Maui, summer of 1944.
Joined Charlie Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Maui on 20 September 1944.
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines (MG Platoon)
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 604 (Machine Gunner)
Important Events:
February 21, 1945 – wounded in action (compound skull fracture); exact circumstances unknown. Evacuated to USS Samaritan for treatment and tranportation to 148th Station Hospital, Saipan.
Admitted to 148th Station Hospital, Saipan, late February 1945. Transferred to US Naval Hospital #10 (Aiea Heights, Hawaii) by “first available transport” on 28 February; arrived and admitted to hospital on 5 March 1945.
Rusher seemed to be recovering and was even able to write to his parents that “he was not seriously injured and expected to be home soon.”
Died of combat wounds at Naval Hospital #10. Buried in Halawa Cemetery, Hawaii.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Purple Heart
Campaign
Iwo Jima (February 21, 1945)
Citation
