Buchanan

'I was very proud to have served my country'

Don C. Buchanan

During the early years of World War II, I was employed in defense work and drafted into the service in 1943.

I was able to choose the branch of service and chose the Marine Corps. I was sent to San Diego for boot training - a short time at Camp Pendleton, and then off to join the 1st Marine Division. Our training after Peleliu was at Guadalcanal and on to Okinawa. I was very fortunate to be one of a few from my company to make it through the campaign without death or injury.

I did get my picture in The Seattle Times and Centralia Chronicle and also a mention in the Saturday Eve-ning Post on some of our activities.

After the Japanese surrender, I was among the Marines sent to China to help accept the Japanese surrender and get their troops back to Japan.

I left the United States (Marine Corps.) with a rank of private first class.

In combat, I was made leader of a fire group of four and acting corporal, then was made a squad leader of 12 and was acting sergeant, on to China as company clerk and acting platoon sergeant, then back to the states and discharged as a private first class.

I was very proud to have served my country and very proud to have been in the Marine Corps.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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