Pvt. Richard K. Gillespie USMCR - KIA Iwo Jima

[Bill Brouillard Jr.]

Pvt. Richard Keith Gillespie USMCR was born September 27, 1924 in Chariton County, Missouri and grew up in Chariton County until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in Kansas City MO on February 28, 1944 and completed Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego, CA.

 

On May 12, 1944, Pvt. Gillespie was assigned to the Service and Supply Company, 5th Service Battalion of the newly formed 5th Marine Division. After additional training in Hawaii the 5th Division boarded the USS Talladega on January 7, 1945 bound for Iwo Jima.

 

February 19, 1945 was D-Day for the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima and Pvt. Gillespie was among those Marines that made the landing. The 5th Marine Division sustained heavy casualties and their valor would be tested throughout the campaign to secure Iwo Jima. The 5th Marine Division would be awarded the Navy Presidential Unit Citation for its actions on Iwo Jima and the 5th Service Battalion would be awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.

 

On May 16, 1945 Richard’s Mother received a letter from his friend Pvt. Paul T. DeShetler from Youngstown Ohio who described the events of February 23, 1945 and Richard’s death in combat.

“Well to begin on Feb. 23 or D+3 9 of us fellows went out on a sniper patrol in the area surrounding the place that we worked. It was about 8:30 (AM) when we first started to go back because the wind was blowing quite swiftly, the sun was shining and it was comparatively quiet morning. At about 10:00 Richard was shot (in the neck) and died instantly. There were 5 of us that went to get him and we picked him up and carried him to the cemetery to give him a decent burial as possible.”

[Stogieman]

Hi Bill, nice, researched group, especially like the short case PH