World War II Photos: Joseph Teliha

Although he hoped to become a mechanic after finishing high school, Joseph Teliha found himself enlisting in the regular Marine Corps in July, 1942. His affinity for machinery may have led to his assignment to Telephone School at New River, and his eventual posting to the communications platoon of First Battalion, 24th Marines.

Teliha served as a switchboard operator, message center man, and field lineman in the Pacific. He was wounded in action at Saipan, and received a commendation for his service there. He recovered to see out the war with his original battalion, and was honorably discharged after four years in uniform.

These photos show Teliha and his buddies before heading overseas to combat. Several would be wounded, and two of them – Pate and Waytow – would never come home.

All photographs on this page are courtesy of Mike Miccuci