World War II Honoree

Paul Pooley

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Houston, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. He entered the United States Marine Corps from Texas, receiving his combat infantry training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Served as a Squad Leader with Company-F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment a subordinate unit of the Second ‘The Silent Second’ Division in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Imperial Japanese Army forces on the island of Tinian (Battle Dates: Monday, July 24–August 1, 1944) Mariana Islands Campaign. Killed in action Monday, August 7, 1944 during mopping-up operations, after all organized resistances had ceased and buried in the American Cemetery on Tinian. Experienced combat in two previous Operations/Campaigns: Tarawa, Gilbert Islands and Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his family received his remains for burial, with interment in a private cemetery in Texas. In remembrance of the Brave, his name appears on one of the Twenty-Six granite plates located in the Court of Honor at the American Memorial on Saipan. Decorations and Citations: Silver Star and the Purple Heart. The Silver Star awarded for Distinguished Gallantry in Action and Valor in Combat against an enemy force. This Marine, an American Patriot, awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.