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| Photo provided by Tim Coppage |
Ernest Marion Carey could have been 100 years old today.
He was born on March 20, 1917 in Indiana. His parents were also both born in Indiana. His father was a farmer in Indiana, but later moved to Texas with his family where he worked as a carpenter. Ernest had an older brother and sister and a younger brother and sister. By 1940 Ernest had completed four years of high school, was married, and was working as a stock man.
Ernest rose to the rank of corporal in the 29th Marine Regiment attached to the 2nd Marine Infantry Division during the Battle of Saipan.
Cpl. Carey died on June 18, 1944. On that day the 29th Marine Regiment was on its fourth day of fighting. By the time Cpl. Carey died, the Americans had suffered over 5,000 casualties. It would take more than a month more to clear the enemy from the island.
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| This map shows the 2nd Marine's position on the north flank of the American lines on the date Cpl. Carey died. http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-Saipan/index.html |
His valor was recognized by a Silver Star Medal.
His remains were returned to be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His wife died in 1999. It does not appear that she remarried.
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My wife’s grandmothers first husband.
ReplyDeleteJune was his wife she remarried 1945 had two children Bert and Sally Gabbert.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a photo of Ernest Carey? Would you like to see his story added to the www.storiesbehindthestars.org project so his story can be read via smartphone app at any gravesite? don@storiesbehindthestars.org
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