Col. Harold Charles "Bing" Boehm Sr., a retired Marine Corps colonel and high school teacher, died Wednesday at his home. He was 81. Col. Boehm was born in New Orleans and lived in Mandeville for many years. He graduated from Tulane University in 1936 and began active duty with the Marines in 1939. During World War II he fought at Bougainville in the Solomon Islands, Guam and Iwo Jima and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" and the Navy Cross. He commanded the 3rd Battalion of the 9th Marines at Iwo Jima. After the war, he was stationed in Japan, San Francisco, Quantico, Va., Washington, D.C., Korea, Norfolk, Va., and Great Lakes, Ill., before retiring in 1965 as deputy commander of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C. He taught mathematics at Madisonville, East Jefferson and Mandeville high schools during 1965-66 and 1971-80 and commanded the first Marine Corps Junior ROTC Program in the country at Jesuit High School during 1966-71. Survivors include his wife, Sterling Castille Boehm; a son, Lt. Col. Harold Charles "Buzz" Boehm Jr.; a brother, Charles P. Boehm Jr.; and four grandchildren. A funeral will be held today at noon at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.
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Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Harold C. Boehm (MCSN: 0-6553), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 25 February to 11 March 1945. Gallantly risking his life under heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Boehm fearlessly carried out reconnaissance of hostile territory in preparation for attacks which resulted in the advance of his Battalion across Motoyama Airfield Number Two despite withering opposition and capture of a formidable Japanese position which had checked the advance of two divisions for several days. Due to critical losses in officers and key non-commissioned officers, he valiantly took over front-line leadership upon initiating a series of perilous advanced on 7 March, effectively directing the coordinated efforts of flame throwers, bazookas, tanks and artillery in repeated thrusts against heavily fortified and fanatically defended positions. During four days of heavy fighting, he personally advanced his Battalion to the cliffs overlooking the beach at the northern end of the island, cleared the enemy from these commanding positions and then turned to operate against the Japanese forces remaining on the right flank of the original advance. His outstanding professional skill, great courage and inspiring leadership throughout this prolonged period of bitter hostilities were vital factors in the success achieved in his sector and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Boehm and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Harold C. Boehm (MCSN: 0-6553), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 25 February to 11 March 1945. Gallantly risking his life under heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Boehm fearlessly carried out reconnaissance of hostile territory in preparation for attacks which resulted in the advance of his Battalion across Motoyama Airfield Number Two despite withering opposition and capture of a formidable Japanese position which had checked the advance of two divisions for several days. Due to critical losses in officers and key non-commissioned officers, he valiantly took over front-line leadership upon initiating a series of perilous advanced on 7 March, effectively directing the coordinated efforts of flame throwers, bazookas, tanks and artillery in repeated thrusts against heavily fortified and fanatically defended positions. During four days of heavy fighting, he personally advanced his Battalion to the cliffs overlooking the beach at the northern end of the island, cleared the enemy from these commanding positions and then turned to operate against the Japanese forces remaining on the right flank of the original advance. His outstanding professional skill, great courage and inspiring leadership throughout this prolonged period of bitter hostilities were vital factors in the success achieved in his sector and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Boehm and the United States Naval Service.
Col. Harold Charles "Bing" Boehm Sr., a retired Marine Corps colonel and high school teacher, died Wednesday at his home. He was 81. Col. Boehm was born in New Orleans and lived in Mandeville for many years. He graduated from Tulane University in 1936 and began active duty with the Marines in 1939. During World War II he fought at Bougainville in the Solomon Islands, Guam and Iwo Jima and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" and the Navy Cross. He commanded the 3rd Battalion of the 9th Marines at Iwo Jima. After the war, he was stationed in Japan, San Francisco, Quantico, Va., Washington, D.C., Korea, Norfolk, Va., and Great Lakes, Ill., before retiring in 1965 as deputy commander of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C. He taught mathematics at Madisonville, East Jefferson and Mandeville high schools during 1965-66 and 1971-80 and commanded the first Marine Corps Junior ROTC Program in the country at Jesuit High School during 1966-71. Survivors include his wife, Sterling Castille Boehm; a son, Lt. Col. Harold Charles "Buzz" Boehm Jr.; a brother, Charles P. Boehm Jr.; and four grandchildren. A funeral will be held today at noon at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.
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Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Harold C. Boehm (MCSN: 0-6553), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 25 February to 11 March 1945. Gallantly risking his life under heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Boehm fearlessly carried out reconnaissance of hostile territory in preparation for attacks which resulted in the advance of his Battalion across Motoyama Airfield Number Two despite withering opposition and capture of a formidable Japanese position which had checked the advance of two divisions for several days. Due to critical losses in officers and key non-commissioned officers, he valiantly took over front-line leadership upon initiating a series of perilous advanced on 7 March, effectively directing the coordinated efforts of flame throwers, bazookas, tanks and artillery in repeated thrusts against heavily fortified and fanatically defended positions. During four days of heavy fighting, he personally advanced his Battalion to the cliffs overlooking the beach at the northern end of the island, cleared the enemy from these commanding positions and then turned to operate against the Japanese forces remaining on the right flank of the original advance. His outstanding professional skill, great courage and inspiring leadership throughout this prolonged period of bitter hostilities were vital factors in the success achieved in his sector and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Boehm and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Harold C. Boehm (MCSN: 0-6553), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 25 February to 11 March 1945. Gallantly risking his life under heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Boehm fearlessly carried out reconnaissance of hostile territory in preparation for attacks which resulted in the advance of his Battalion across Motoyama Airfield Number Two despite withering opposition and capture of a formidable Japanese position which had checked the advance of two divisions for several days. Due to critical losses in officers and key non-commissioned officers, he valiantly took over front-line leadership upon initiating a series of perilous advanced on 7 March, effectively directing the coordinated efforts of flame throwers, bazookas, tanks and artillery in repeated thrusts against heavily fortified and fanatically defended positions. During four days of heavy fighting, he personally advanced his Battalion to the cliffs overlooking the beach at the northern end of the island, cleared the enemy from these commanding positions and then turned to operate against the Japanese forces remaining on the right flank of the original advance. His outstanding professional skill, great courage and inspiring leadership throughout this prolonged period of bitter hostilities were vital factors in the success achieved in his sector and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Boehm and the United States Naval Service.
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