Taps: 1952 – 2020

The number of living 1/24 veterans is gradually shrinking.  According to the National World War II Museum, nearly 350 veterans pass away every day; they estimate that fewer than 500,000 (of approximately 16 million) Americans who served in uniform from 1941-1945 remain.

I let my battalion database lapse a bit over the past year or so, and while a few new obituaries are expected from time to time, I have to admit that I was a bit shaken by how many have died. Not all of them recently – this update stretches back to the 1950s – but even so, it’s a saddening number of lives ended, and unique perspectives on history lost.

While researching for this project, I got to know several of these Marines and their families. Some were brief acquaintances by email or by phone; others invited me into their homes or to join them at reunions. They were crusty and profane, gentle and kind, reluctant to share or open to anything. A number of their stories feature heavily throughout the site; others shared their photo albums and mementos. LaPorte, Oberheide, Tutalo, Lynchard, Girdano – we’re all the richer for their stories. Others I tried to contact in the past, but never received a reply; while I regret we never spoke, these veterans more than earned their right to privacy and silence. Semper Fi to them all.

This is not a comprehensive listing of everyone who has passed in recent years, but rather an updated account of those whose deaths were not previously reported.

As always, I am searching for more information about any and all WWII-era members of 1/24th Marines. If you’re a friend or family member, please get in touch and help keep the stories alive for future generations.