- SURNAME
Day
- FORENAME
William Roper
- UNIT
formerly 1st Marine Parachute Regiment
- RANK
Major
- NUMBER
0-7341
- DATE OF DEATH
22nd February 1945
- AGE
27
- GRAVESITE
Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, Trenton, South Carolina, USA
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 22.10.1917, Edgefield County, South Carolina, USA
father Allen Julius Day (1884-1975)
mother Marie (nee Roper) Day (1889-1979)
1939 graduated Furman University
11.1941 entered service
Next of kin - Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Allen J., Day, Trenton, South Carolina
KIA Iwo Jima, Japan
posthumous Silver Star
DATE OF DEATH:
22-Feb-1945CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major William R. Day (MCSN: 0-7341), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Operations Officer of the Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 22 February 1945. When his battalion was executing a passage of lines under extremely heavy mortar, artillery and small-arms fire during a driving rain, Major Day moved forward to direct the assault companies where forward movement had all but ceased due to accurate and intense Japanese fire. Proceeding fearlessly among the officers and men, Major Day, by his coolness and daringness, inspired his men to heroic efforts in the successful continuation of the assault before he himself was fatally wounded by enemy fire. His indomitable fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on Major Day and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/42057FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91765008/william-roper-day
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