Ralph Lilja

"Top"

Marine Corps Regular | Service Number 240029

Born

August 28, 1913
in Boston, MA

Parents*

Verner Arvid Lilja, Sr.
Anna Greta (Nord) Lilja

School

Details unknown

Pre-War Employment

Professional Marine

* According to the 1930 Census, Ralph was adopted by the Liljas. His birth parents are not known.

Entered Service

September 27, 1933
at Boston, MA

Joined First Battalion

November 3, 1942
from Eastern Recruiting District

Left First Battalion

June 15, 1944
Killed in action on Saipan

Left Service

June 15, 1944
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

148 South Meyers Street, Oceanside, CA – home of wife, Mrs. Dorothy Mae (Kerr) Lilja
This is a wartime address. Lilja’s residence is listed as East Natick, MA; Dorothy was a native of Connellsville, PA. They were married in December 1942.

Service & Campaigns

Before joining battalion

Enlisted at Boston, Massachusetts on 27 September 1933; boot camp at Parris Island. Outposted to Naval Operating Base Norfolk, Virgina, to await assignment.

From January 1934 to September 1936, duty with various companies of the 4th Marine Regiment in Shanghai, China. From October 1936 to September 1937, duty with Barracks Detachments at Norfolk and Boston Navy Yards. Discharged 26 September 1937 as private, character “excellent,” awarded Good Conduct Medal.

Reenlisted 25 January 1939 at Boston, Massachusetts. From February 1939 to early 1941, duty with Marine detachments aboard gunboat USS Erie (PG-50) as captain’s orderly and USS Charleston (PG-51) as admiral’s orderly. Assigned to recruiting duty in Connellsville, Pennsylvania from 13 May 1941 to 2 November 1942.

Joined First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) at New River, North Carolina on 2 November 1942 as platoon sergeant. Transferred to Charlie Company as acting first sergeant on 19 November 1942. Reenlisted 25 January 1943; awarded bar for Good Conduct Medal. Permanently appointed First Sergeant on 6 February 1943.

Roi-Namur

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: First Sergeant
MOS: 585 (First Sergeant)

Campaign Narrative

Saipan

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: First Sergeant
MOS: 585 (First Sergeant)
Important Events:
June 15, 1944 – killed in action (mortar shrapnel OR gunshot, head); exact circumstances unknown.
June 17, 1944 – buried Plot 1, Row 1, Grave 2, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery

Campaign Narrative

Individual Decorations

Medal
Purple Heart
Good Conduct Medal
— with bar

Campaign
Saipan (June 15, 1944)
for service 1933 – 1937
for service 1939 – 1943

Citation
—
—
—

Our company's first sergeant, Ralph Lilja, was hit by a [Japanese] mortar shell and was killed instantly. First Sergeant Lilja was a real leader of Marines, and all my men pledged to make sure his death was not in vain.

Mike Mervosh C/1/24th Marines

Additional Information

All four Lilja brothers served 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