World War II Honoree

Michael Earl Nolan

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Tucson, Arizona

Honored By

Ms. Jean Nolan Krygelski

Relationship

Daughter

Enlisted as Private in U.S. Marine Corps on January 16, 1941. Boot Camp: Third Platoon, Third Recruit Battalion, San Diego. Second Defense Battalion: Wartime Expeditionary Force, American Samoa. Eighth Defense Battalion: Landing and occupation of Wallis Island. First Marine Division: Landing at Guadalcanal-Tulagi. Commissioned on battlefield (U.S. Marine Mustang). Third Marine Raider Battalion: Landing and occupation of Pavuvu in Russell Group, assault on Puruata, seizure and occupation of Bougainville, including Battle for Piva Trail. Fourth Marine Regiment: Occupation and defense of Emirau, Mussau. Fifth Marine Division: Assault and capture of Iwo Jima, Commanding Officer of battalion-sized Fifth Amphibian Truck Company. Occupation of Japan: Landing at Sasebo, Kyushu. Served in active duty through January 22, 1946, including forty-four months of sea and foreign service. Promoted from Private to Captain during World War II, with military specialties of Infantry Officer and Amphibian Truck Officer. Awarded Silver Star, Purple Heart. Promoted to Major in 1952. Served in Ready Reserve through July 1, 1963, Executive Officer, Third Supply Company, with military occupational specialty of Engineer Officer. Retired on January 1, 1971.