Gerald J. Klobuchar

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Marines

Gerald J. Klobuchar of Ely, Minnesota enlisted in the Marine Corps on November 23, 1942 at Minneapolis, Minn.

 He was a Sergeant and served as a demolition specialist and rifleman with the 47th Parachute Battalion, 5th Marine Division in the Pacific Theater between August, 1944 and December 20, 1945.

He participated in the assault landing at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, Volcano Islands. He recalls, "I saw the actual raising of the flag on Iwo while I was lying in a hole ducking Jap mortar bursts from the first airport."

Mr. Klobuchar received the: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star and World War II Victory Medal.

He was honorably discharged on January 7, 1946 at Great Lakes, Ill.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 147.

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