WW2 Iwo Jima Fallen - Silver Star hero Hugh Breakenridge, 4th Marine Division

Silver Star hero Captain Hugh Breakenridge led a 25th Marine Regiment company on Iwo Jima.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6083790/hugh-wallace-breakenridge
https://worldwar2database.com/gallery/wwii1183 

Hugh Wallace Breakenridge never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on July 9, 1919 in Iowa. His parents William and Sarah were also both born in Iowa. His father worked as a farmer. Hugh had two older brothers and a younger sister. Hugh graduated from Iowa State College with a degree in animal husbandry and worked for the Iowa Packing Company. He married Margaret Kepler in January 1942.

He volunteered for the US Marines on May 12, 1942. By July he had been commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. In March 1943 he was promoted to 1st lieutenant in the 25th Marine Regiment which became part of the 4th Marine Division. He first saw action in the Marshall Islands in February 1944. In March 1944, while stationed in Hawaii, he was assigned to be the 3rd Battalion's Assistant Plans and Training Officer. One of his duties was keeping track of the location of all the battalion units during battle.

Lt. Breakenridge's battalion landed on Saipan Yellow 2 Beach on June 15, 1944. He was wounded in action on June 22, while mapping out the locations of unit, and spent two months in hospital recovering. When he returned to his unit he was promoted to captain. He became a liaison officer with the 4th MD.

On February 19, 1945, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment landed on Iwo Jima Blue 1 Beach. All of the company officers became casualties and Captain Breakenridge assumed command on the evening of the first day of battle. He was wounded in action himself four days later but refused to be evacuated. He was killed in action on February 27, 1945.

He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Hugh Wallace Breakenridge (MCSN: 0-11393), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19-27 February 1945. 

When all officers of a rifle company had become casualties and the members widely scattered by merciless Japanese artillery fire, Captain Breakenridge immediately assumed command, quickly rallied the disorganized company and led his men to a position where they could effectively support the advance of his landing team to high ground above the gun-studded cliffs. 

During the hours of darkness on 22 February, he personally attacked two of the enemy who had infiltrated our lines and, although himself painfully wounded, killed one and severely wounded the other. Refusing evacuation, he loyally remained with his company and, by his own fortitude and inspiring courage, sustained the morale of his men throughout the night. 

With the assault units sustaining heavy casualties under devastating machine-gun fire from concealed Japanese positions during the attack north of Quarry Number one on 27 February, he personally reconnoitered the areas to his front and directed artillery and mortar fire which destroyed the hostile emplacements. Occupying a constantly exposed position, he led his men in a continuation of the attack until mortally wounded by enemy fire. 

His valiant leadership, daring combat tactics and devotion to duty throughout this period of fierce action reflect the highest credit upon Captain Breakenridge and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

His grave is at Buckingham Cemetery in Traer, Iowa. His widow remarried after the war and has since passed away.

Thank you Captain Breakenridge for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Hugh.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 bombardier John McKewen. You can read about John here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

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