William Linkins Jr. joined the Marine Corps in 1942, at the age of 19. He was a talented Marine, and just over a year later carried the rank of Corporal in Able Company, 24th Marines.
"Bill" Linkins was tall for his time - he stood slightly over six feet high - and his best friend, Elijah Nichols, carried the nickname "Shorty." The two were often seen together and during training exercises, the men would laugh to see the two landing from a boat - Linkins would tower above the surf, while Nichols would literally disappear beneath the waves, only the top of his helmet showing. The two were inseperable squadmates and buddies. Linkins seems to have been a likeable fellow; a photograph taken at Camp Pendleton shows him lifting another small comrade onto his shoulders and grinning widely.
Linkins was also a capable fighter, and after the fighting on Namur was promoted to sergeant. He was also decorated for his abilities, winning both the Silver and Bronze Star medals for bravery.
Linkins was killed on Tinian, during the fierce Japanese banzai charge. A shell fragment hit him in the head, killing him instantly.
William Linkins was buried in Grave 83, Row 3, Plot 1, Marine Cemetery Tinian, on 7/26/1944. His parents requested that he be interred in an American military cemetery after the War, and thus he was brought to the Punchbowl, where he lies today.
"Bill" Linkins was tall for his time - he stood slightly over six feet high - and his best friend, Elijah Nichols, carried the nickname "Shorty." The two were often seen together and during training exercises, the men would laugh to see the two landing from a boat - Linkins would tower above the surf, while Nichols would literally disappear beneath the waves, only the top of his helmet showing. The two were inseperable squadmates and buddies. Linkins seems to have been a likeable fellow; a photograph taken at Camp Pendleton shows him lifting another small comrade onto his shoulders and grinning widely.
Linkins was also a capable fighter, and after the fighting on Namur was promoted to sergeant. He was also decorated for his abilities, winning both the Silver and Bronze Star medals for bravery.
Linkins was killed on Tinian, during the fierce Japanese banzai charge. A shell fragment hit him in the head, killing him instantly.
William Linkins was buried in Grave 83, Row 3, Plot 1, Marine Cemetery Tinian, on 7/26/1944. His parents requested that he be interred in an American military cemetery after the War, and thus he was brought to the Punchbowl, where he lies today.
William Linkins Jr. joined the Marine Corps in 1942, at the age of 19. He was a talented Marine, and just over a year later carried the rank of Corporal in Able Company, 24th Marines.
"Bill" Linkins was tall for his time - he stood slightly over six feet high - and his best friend, Elijah Nichols, carried the nickname "Shorty." The two were often seen together and during training exercises, the men would laugh to see the two landing from a boat - Linkins would tower above the surf, while Nichols would literally disappear beneath the waves, only the top of his helmet showing. The two were inseperable squadmates and buddies. Linkins seems to have been a likeable fellow; a photograph taken at Camp Pendleton shows him lifting another small comrade onto his shoulders and grinning widely.
Linkins was also a capable fighter, and after the fighting on Namur was promoted to sergeant. He was also decorated for his abilities, winning both the Silver and Bronze Star medals for bravery.
Linkins was killed on Tinian, during the fierce Japanese banzai charge. A shell fragment hit him in the head, killing him instantly.
William Linkins was buried in Grave 83, Row 3, Plot 1, Marine Cemetery Tinian, on 7/26/1944. His parents requested that he be interred in an American military cemetery after the War, and thus he was brought to the Punchbowl, where he lies today.
"Bill" Linkins was tall for his time - he stood slightly over six feet high - and his best friend, Elijah Nichols, carried the nickname "Shorty." The two were often seen together and during training exercises, the men would laugh to see the two landing from a boat - Linkins would tower above the surf, while Nichols would literally disappear beneath the waves, only the top of his helmet showing. The two were inseperable squadmates and buddies. Linkins seems to have been a likeable fellow; a photograph taken at Camp Pendleton shows him lifting another small comrade onto his shoulders and grinning widely.
Linkins was also a capable fighter, and after the fighting on Namur was promoted to sergeant. He was also decorated for his abilities, winning both the Silver and Bronze Star medals for bravery.
Linkins was killed on Tinian, during the fierce Japanese banzai charge. A shell fragment hit him in the head, killing him instantly.
William Linkins was buried in Grave 83, Row 3, Plot 1, Marine Cemetery Tinian, on 7/26/1944. His parents requested that he be interred in an American military cemetery after the War, and thus he was brought to the Punchbowl, where he lies today.
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