William Vernon Ellerd
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 418929
March 12, 1925
in Early County, GA
Loranza Dowell Ellerd
Mary Inez (Mock) Ellerd
Details unknown
Details unknown
September 10, 1942
at Macon, GA
August 26, 1943
from Camp Elliott, CA
November 13, 1944
Transferred to H&S Company, 24th Marines
March 8, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima
Edison, GA – home of parents, Loranza & Mary Ellerd
Service & Campaigns
Boot camp at MCRD San Diego with Fourth Recruit Battalion. Outposted to First Guard Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard Mare Island. Guard duty through 7 July 1943, at which time transferred to Camp Elliott for training with Infantry Battalion.
Joined Able Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton on 26 August 1943.
Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private
MOS: 746 (Automatic Rifleman)
Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private
MOS: 675 (Messenger)
Important Events:
June 28, 1944 – wounded in action (cause and circumstances unknown); evacuated to unknown vessel.
In July 1944, reported to be at Naval Air Station Ebye Island, presumably under treatment.
Returned to duty with A/1/24 in October 1944; transferred to Headquarters and Service Company, 24th Marines on 13 November 1944. Participated in Iwo Jima campaign with H&S/24 from 19 February to 6 March 1945.
On 7 March 1945, transferred to K/3/24th Marines as a replacement. Killed in action (shrapnel wound, face) on 8 March 1945. Buried in Plot 1, Row 29, Grave 1417, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Purple Heart
– with Gold Star
Navy Commendation Ribbon
Campaign
Saipan (June 28, 1944)
Iwo Jima (March 8, 1944)
Saipan
Citation
I put up a memorial profile for PFC William Vernon Ellerd on TWS (Togetherweserved.com) and I found that he was awarded a Navy Commendation Ribbon (which is now the Navy Commendation Medal) for meritorious service on Saipan, Marianas Islands from 15 to 28 June,1944.