Baptized on October 12, 1924 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, St. Louis, MO.
Attended Carondelet School and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 215. Ralph also attended Cleveland High School for two years.
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, 17-year old Ralph Kountzman wanted to serve his country. However, as a minor, he needed parental consent to enlist. On February 27, 1942, Clement and Henrietta Kountzman, residing at 320 W. Espenschied Street in St. Louis, MO, signed a letter of consent so that their son could enlist.
On March 9, 1942, Ralph Kountzman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at St. Louis, MO. His enlistment was for 4 years. He was sent to the Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California for training and was assigned to the 4th Recruit Battalion. Ralph attended the Field Telephone School in San Diego from May 11, 1942 to June 19, 1942.
From his military record - "Embarked aboard USS MIDDLETON 17Oct43 at Wellington, N.Z. and sailed 1Nov43. Arr Efate, New French Hebrides 7Nov43 for practice landings and sailed 13Nov43 Arr Betio, Tarawa, British Gilbert Islands 20Nov43 and disembarked (Zone of active operations against the enemy)."
Killed in Action on November 20, 1943 at Betio Island during the Battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. At the time of his death, Ralph had the rank of Private First Class (PFC) and was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
From the Professional and Conduct Record in his military file - "Killed in Action 20 November, 1943 at Betio, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands of Gunshot Wounds. Buried Grave #14, Co. "D", 2d Bn. 18th Marines Cemetery, Tarawa. Character: Excellent."
Marine PFC Ralph C. Kountzman was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously on March 20, 1944 in the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Secretary of the Navy. Ralph's parents were also notified that they were entitled to the Asiactic-Pacific Campaign Medal for their son's service in the Asiatic-Pacific Area.
Re-interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on November 21, 1947.
On March 25, 1948, Ralph's parents were notified of additional posthumous awards. They were sent a copy of Presidential Unit Citation awarded Second Marine Division, Reinforced, - service on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, and ribbon bar with one bronze star. Also, the Victory Medal World War II was awarded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Battle of Tarawa was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that was fought on 20–23 November 1943. It took place at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, and was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio, in the extreme southwest of Tarawa Atoll.
The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the Pacific War that the United States had faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. Previous landings met little or no initial resistance, but on Tarawa the 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and well-prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the United States Marine Corps. The losses on Tarawa were incurred within 76 hours.
Attended Carondelet School and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 215. Ralph also attended Cleveland High School for two years.
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, 17-year old Ralph Kountzman wanted to serve his country. However, as a minor, he needed parental consent to enlist. On February 27, 1942, Clement and Henrietta Kountzman, residing at 320 W. Espenschied Street in St. Louis, MO, signed a letter of consent so that their son could enlist.
On March 9, 1942, Ralph Kountzman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at St. Louis, MO. His enlistment was for 4 years. He was sent to the Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California for training and was assigned to the 4th Recruit Battalion. Ralph attended the Field Telephone School in San Diego from May 11, 1942 to June 19, 1942.
From his military record - "Embarked aboard USS MIDDLETON 17Oct43 at Wellington, N.Z. and sailed 1Nov43. Arr Efate, New French Hebrides 7Nov43 for practice landings and sailed 13Nov43 Arr Betio, Tarawa, British Gilbert Islands 20Nov43 and disembarked (Zone of active operations against the enemy)."
Killed in Action on November 20, 1943 at Betio Island during the Battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. At the time of his death, Ralph had the rank of Private First Class (PFC) and was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
From the Professional and Conduct Record in his military file - "Killed in Action 20 November, 1943 at Betio, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands of Gunshot Wounds. Buried Grave #14, Co. "D", 2d Bn. 18th Marines Cemetery, Tarawa. Character: Excellent."
Marine PFC Ralph C. Kountzman was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously on March 20, 1944 in the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Secretary of the Navy. Ralph's parents were also notified that they were entitled to the Asiactic-Pacific Campaign Medal for their son's service in the Asiatic-Pacific Area.
Re-interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on November 21, 1947.
On March 25, 1948, Ralph's parents were notified of additional posthumous awards. They were sent a copy of Presidential Unit Citation awarded Second Marine Division, Reinforced, - service on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, and ribbon bar with one bronze star. Also, the Victory Medal World War II was awarded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Battle of Tarawa was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that was fought on 20–23 November 1943. It took place at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, and was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio, in the extreme southwest of Tarawa Atoll.
The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the Pacific War that the United States had faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. Previous landings met little or no initial resistance, but on Tarawa the 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and well-prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the United States Marine Corps. The losses on Tarawa were incurred within 76 hours.
Baptized on October 12, 1924 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, St. Louis, MO.
Attended Carondelet School and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 215. Ralph also attended Cleveland High School for two years.
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, 17-year old Ralph Kountzman wanted to serve his country. However, as a minor, he needed parental consent to enlist. On February 27, 1942, Clement and Henrietta Kountzman, residing at 320 W. Espenschied Street in St. Louis, MO, signed a letter of consent so that their son could enlist.
On March 9, 1942, Ralph Kountzman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at St. Louis, MO. His enlistment was for 4 years. He was sent to the Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California for training and was assigned to the 4th Recruit Battalion. Ralph attended the Field Telephone School in San Diego from May 11, 1942 to June 19, 1942.
From his military record - "Embarked aboard USS MIDDLETON 17Oct43 at Wellington, N.Z. and sailed 1Nov43. Arr Efate, New French Hebrides 7Nov43 for practice landings and sailed 13Nov43 Arr Betio, Tarawa, British Gilbert Islands 20Nov43 and disembarked (Zone of active operations against the enemy)."
Killed in Action on November 20, 1943 at Betio Island during the Battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. At the time of his death, Ralph had the rank of Private First Class (PFC) and was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
From the Professional and Conduct Record in his military file - "Killed in Action 20 November, 1943 at Betio, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands of Gunshot Wounds. Buried Grave #14, Co. "D", 2d Bn. 18th Marines Cemetery, Tarawa. Character: Excellent."
Marine PFC Ralph C. Kountzman was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously on March 20, 1944 in the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Secretary of the Navy. Ralph's parents were also notified that they were entitled to the Asiactic-Pacific Campaign Medal for their son's service in the Asiatic-Pacific Area.
Re-interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on November 21, 1947.
On March 25, 1948, Ralph's parents were notified of additional posthumous awards. They were sent a copy of Presidential Unit Citation awarded Second Marine Division, Reinforced, - service on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, and ribbon bar with one bronze star. Also, the Victory Medal World War II was awarded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Battle of Tarawa was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that was fought on 20–23 November 1943. It took place at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, and was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio, in the extreme southwest of Tarawa Atoll.
The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the Pacific War that the United States had faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. Previous landings met little or no initial resistance, but on Tarawa the 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and well-prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the United States Marine Corps. The losses on Tarawa were incurred within 76 hours.
Attended Carondelet School and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 215. Ralph also attended Cleveland High School for two years.
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, 17-year old Ralph Kountzman wanted to serve his country. However, as a minor, he needed parental consent to enlist. On February 27, 1942, Clement and Henrietta Kountzman, residing at 320 W. Espenschied Street in St. Louis, MO, signed a letter of consent so that their son could enlist.
On March 9, 1942, Ralph Kountzman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at St. Louis, MO. His enlistment was for 4 years. He was sent to the Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California for training and was assigned to the 4th Recruit Battalion. Ralph attended the Field Telephone School in San Diego from May 11, 1942 to June 19, 1942.
From his military record - "Embarked aboard USS MIDDLETON 17Oct43 at Wellington, N.Z. and sailed 1Nov43. Arr Efate, New French Hebrides 7Nov43 for practice landings and sailed 13Nov43 Arr Betio, Tarawa, British Gilbert Islands 20Nov43 and disembarked (Zone of active operations against the enemy)."
Killed in Action on November 20, 1943 at Betio Island during the Battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. At the time of his death, Ralph had the rank of Private First Class (PFC) and was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
From the Professional and Conduct Record in his military file - "Killed in Action 20 November, 1943 at Betio, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands of Gunshot Wounds. Buried Grave #14, Co. "D", 2d Bn. 18th Marines Cemetery, Tarawa. Character: Excellent."
Marine PFC Ralph C. Kountzman was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously on March 20, 1944 in the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Secretary of the Navy. Ralph's parents were also notified that they were entitled to the Asiactic-Pacific Campaign Medal for their son's service in the Asiatic-Pacific Area.
Re-interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on November 21, 1947.
On March 25, 1948, Ralph's parents were notified of additional posthumous awards. They were sent a copy of Presidential Unit Citation awarded Second Marine Division, Reinforced, - service on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, and ribbon bar with one bronze star. Also, the Victory Medal World War II was awarded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Battle of Tarawa was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that was fought on 20–23 November 1943. It took place at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, and was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio, in the extreme southwest of Tarawa Atoll.
The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the Pacific War that the United States had faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. Previous landings met little or no initial resistance, but on Tarawa the 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and well-prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the United States Marine Corps. The losses on Tarawa were incurred within 76 hours.
Inscription
PFC, US MARINE CORPS WORLD WAR II
