USMCR World War II
PFC James M. Branch KIA Marianas Is, July 26, 1944,
Unit Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines 1st Provisional Marine Brigade , FMF
Hometown: San Diego, Calif
Mother, Mrs. Myrtle M. Branch
Service# 529099
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart
Details of career here.
The outbreak of World War II found the battalion serving as part of the U.S. Forces defending the Philippines. Ordered to the strategic island of Corregidor, the battalion fiercely defended their assigned sectors against overwhelming enemy forces. In the end,United States Army, ordered the battalion to surrender, in an effort to save lives against the hopeless situation. After the surrender, the battalion ceased to exist.
On 1 February 1944 a new 1st Battalion, 4th Marines was activated by the redesignation of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. For the remainder of World War II the battalion would fight at two of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific, Guam and Okinawa.
W.W.II Veteran.
Marine Raider.
Son of Mrs. Myrtle M. Branch.
He attended Duncan High School.
Killed in Action, Guam, Marianas Islands.
AWARDED NAVY CROSS.
From BarryC
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes
pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to
Private First Class James M. Branch (MCSN: 529099),
United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary
heroism as a member of Company C, First Battalion,
Fourth Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine
Brigade, during action against enemy Japanese forces
on Orote Peninsula, Guam, Marianas Islands, on 26
July 1944. With his squad pinned down by intense
enemy automatic fire from a well-concealed pillbox
while advancing across a clearing, Private First Class
Branch, on his own flank and his squad leader on the
other, attempted to close in on the Japanese
emplacement but were forced by the fury of the
barrage to take cover. Realizing the precarious position
of his squad, Private First Class Branch unhesitatingly
risked his life to stand upright and advance on the
pillbox. Fiercely returning the enemy's persistent fire
with his own automatic weapon while moving steadily
forward, he killed two Japanese before sustaining a
mortal wound himself. By his courageous initiative,
Private First Class Branch saved the lives of other
members of his squad and enabled them to flank and
destroy the hostile emplacement. His valiant spirit of
self-sacrifice in the fulfillment of an extremely
hazardous mission reflects the highest credit upon
Private First Class Branch and the United States Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his Country.
PFC James M. Branch KIA Marianas Is, July 26, 1944,
Unit Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines 1st Provisional Marine Brigade , FMF
Hometown: San Diego, Calif
Mother, Mrs. Myrtle M. Branch
Service# 529099
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart
Details of career here.
The outbreak of World War II found the battalion serving as part of the U.S. Forces defending the Philippines. Ordered to the strategic island of Corregidor, the battalion fiercely defended their assigned sectors against overwhelming enemy forces. In the end,United States Army, ordered the battalion to surrender, in an effort to save lives against the hopeless situation. After the surrender, the battalion ceased to exist.
On 1 February 1944 a new 1st Battalion, 4th Marines was activated by the redesignation of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. For the remainder of World War II the battalion would fight at two of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific, Guam and Okinawa.
W.W.II Veteran.
Marine Raider.
Son of Mrs. Myrtle M. Branch.
He attended Duncan High School.
Killed in Action, Guam, Marianas Islands.
AWARDED NAVY CROSS.
From BarryC
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes
pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to
Private First Class James M. Branch (MCSN: 529099),
United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary
heroism as a member of Company C, First Battalion,
Fourth Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine
Brigade, during action against enemy Japanese forces
on Orote Peninsula, Guam, Marianas Islands, on 26
July 1944. With his squad pinned down by intense
enemy automatic fire from a well-concealed pillbox
while advancing across a clearing, Private First Class
Branch, on his own flank and his squad leader on the
other, attempted to close in on the Japanese
emplacement but were forced by the fury of the
barrage to take cover. Realizing the precarious position
of his squad, Private First Class Branch unhesitatingly
risked his life to stand upright and advance on the
pillbox. Fiercely returning the enemy's persistent fire
with his own automatic weapon while moving steadily
forward, he killed two Japanese before sustaining a
mortal wound himself. By his courageous initiative,
Private First Class Branch saved the lives of other
members of his squad and enabled them to flank and
destroy the hostile emplacement. His valiant spirit of
self-sacrifice in the fulfillment of an extremely
hazardous mission reflects the highest credit upon
Private First Class Branch and the United States Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his Country.
USMCR World War II
PFC James M. Branch KIA Marianas Is, July 26, 1944,
Unit Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines 1st Provisional Marine Brigade , FMF
Hometown: San Diego, Calif
Mother, Mrs. Myrtle M. Branch
Service# 529099
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart
Details of career here.
The outbreak of World War II found the battalion serving as part of the U.S. Forces defending the Philippines. Ordered to the strategic island of Corregidor, the battalion fiercely defended their assigned sectors against overwhelming enemy forces. In the end,United States Army, ordered the battalion to surrender, in an effort to save lives against the hopeless situation. After the surrender, the battalion ceased to exist.
On 1 February 1944 a new 1st Battalion, 4th Marines was activated by the redesignation of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. For the remainder of World War II the battalion would fight at two of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific, Guam and Okinawa.
W.W.II Veteran.
Marine Raider.
Son of Mrs. Myrtle M. Branch.
He attended Duncan High School.
Killed in Action, Guam, Marianas Islands.
AWARDED NAVY CROSS.
From BarryC
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes
pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to
Private First Class James M. Branch (MCSN: 529099),
United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary
heroism as a member of Company C, First Battalion,
Fourth Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine
Brigade, during action against enemy Japanese forces
on Orote Peninsula, Guam, Marianas Islands, on 26
July 1944. With his squad pinned down by intense
enemy automatic fire from a well-concealed pillbox
while advancing across a clearing, Private First Class
Branch, on his own flank and his squad leader on the
other, attempted to close in on the Japanese
emplacement but were forced by the fury of the
barrage to take cover. Realizing the precarious position
of his squad, Private First Class Branch unhesitatingly
risked his life to stand upright and advance on the
pillbox. Fiercely returning the enemy's persistent fire
with his own automatic weapon while moving steadily
forward, he killed two Japanese before sustaining a
mortal wound himself. By his courageous initiative,
Private First Class Branch saved the lives of other
members of his squad and enabled them to flank and
destroy the hostile emplacement. His valiant spirit of
self-sacrifice in the fulfillment of an extremely
hazardous mission reflects the highest credit upon
Private First Class Branch and the United States Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his Country.
PFC James M. Branch KIA Marianas Is, July 26, 1944,
Unit Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines 1st Provisional Marine Brigade , FMF
Hometown: San Diego, Calif
Mother, Mrs. Myrtle M. Branch
Service# 529099
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart
Details of career here.
The outbreak of World War II found the battalion serving as part of the U.S. Forces defending the Philippines. Ordered to the strategic island of Corregidor, the battalion fiercely defended their assigned sectors against overwhelming enemy forces. In the end,United States Army, ordered the battalion to surrender, in an effort to save lives against the hopeless situation. After the surrender, the battalion ceased to exist.
On 1 February 1944 a new 1st Battalion, 4th Marines was activated by the redesignation of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. For the remainder of World War II the battalion would fight at two of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific, Guam and Okinawa.
W.W.II Veteran.
Marine Raider.
Son of Mrs. Myrtle M. Branch.
He attended Duncan High School.
Killed in Action, Guam, Marianas Islands.
AWARDED NAVY CROSS.
From BarryC
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes
pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to
Private First Class James M. Branch (MCSN: 529099),
United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary
heroism as a member of Company C, First Battalion,
Fourth Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine
Brigade, during action against enemy Japanese forces
on Orote Peninsula, Guam, Marianas Islands, on 26
July 1944. With his squad pinned down by intense
enemy automatic fire from a well-concealed pillbox
while advancing across a clearing, Private First Class
Branch, on his own flank and his squad leader on the
other, attempted to close in on the Japanese
emplacement but were forced by the fury of the
barrage to take cover. Realizing the precarious position
of his squad, Private First Class Branch unhesitatingly
risked his life to stand upright and advance on the
pillbox. Fiercely returning the enemy's persistent fire
with his own automatic weapon while moving steadily
forward, he killed two Japanese before sustaining a
mortal wound himself. By his courageous initiative,
Private First Class Branch saved the lives of other
members of his squad and enabled them to flank and
destroy the hostile emplacement. His valiant spirit of
self-sacrifice in the fulfillment of an extremely
hazardous mission reflects the highest credit upon
Private First Class Branch and the United States Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his Country.
