Virgil M. Everson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Marines
Virgil M. Everson served in World War II and in the Korean War.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1943, as a recruit, he attended two semesters at Gustavus Adolphus College and was then sent to boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1944. He was assigned to Camp Le Jeune, where he became part of an Officers Candidate School class and was commissioned in 1944.
Mr. Everson was subsequently assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment, 4th Marine Division on Maui, the Hawaiian islands. His division boarded ships and participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. His rank was 1st Lieutenant.
He joined the Army Reserve and, having become a dentist, was part of the Medical Service Corps. In 1950, Mr. Everson’s unit, the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade, was activated to go to Korea. He participated in the invasion of Inchon. Mr. Everson was discharged on February 11, 1962. His rank was Captain.
Mr. Everson was born in Highland, Wisconsin, the son of Albert C. and Nora E Adams Everson. He graduated from high school in 1940.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
“I graduated from Lone Rock, Wisconsin, High School in 1940. In the fall of 1940, I enrolled at Superior State Teachers College. I enlisted in the USMCR at Superior Teachers College in 1943. Was called to active duty at Gustavus Adolphus College and attended two semesters there before reporting to Parris Island boot camp in 1944. I was then sent to Camp Le Jeune to wait until going to Quantico, but before that happened a special OCS [Officers Candidate School] class of 400 was formed at Camp Le Jeune. We trained there and were commissioned in 1944.
“I was then sent to Camp Pendleton for a few weeks’ training at tent camp San Onofre, California. Then I was sent to the 4th Marine Division on Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. The division was sent to Iwo Jima for the invasion.
“After World War II, I went to Dental School and went into the Army Reserve.
“Was a 2nd lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. In 1950, I graduated as a dentist from Marquette University and was promoted to 1st lieutenant. I was sent to Fort Lawton, Washington, but the Korean War broke out, and I was sent to Port Townsend, Washington with the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade.
“The brigade was sent to Japan and on to Korea for the invasion of Inchon. We went up in North Korea on the east coast at Iwan. Our unit operated the landing there and then went to Hamhung, Hungnam. We stayed there ‘til the Chinese came down from the Chosin Reservoir. We then went down to Pusan for a few days and then back to Inchon for awhile. We were then sent back to Japan, and I was sent back to the States. I was sent to Fort Ord, California, and got out of the service active duty.
“I was married to Virginia J. Walters in Superior, Wisconsin. We had 5 children, and I practiced dentistry in Superior for about 38 years. I have been retired since 1989.”
