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| Cpl. Roy Auer earned the Silver Star for trying to save a burning ammunition dump on Saipan. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35297181/roy-noble-auer https://alchetron.com/Battle-of-Saipan |
Roy Noble Auer never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on August 29, 1919 in Indiana. His parents George and Lillie were also both born in Indiana. His father worked as a farmer. Roy had one older brother, three younger brothers, and two younger sisters. By 1940 Roy had completed four years of high school and was working as a waiter.
Inspired by the valiant yet doomed defense of Wake by the US Marines, Roy enlisted in the US Marines on Christmas Eve 1941. He became a corporal in the HQ & Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Cpl. Auer saw action at Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and Tarawa.
In August 1942, brother Lewis was killed in a training accident when the 37mm field artillery gun he was manning had a shell explode prematurely.
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| https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23945397 |
Cpl. Auer's last battle was at Saipan. He took part in the first day landing on June 15, 1944. On June 20, 1944 the Japanese infiltrated through the American lines after dark and started an ammo dump on fire. Cpl. Auer was one of twenty Leathernecks who tried to save the ammo. They were all killed by a tremendous explosion.
Cpl. Auer was posthumously awarded the Silver Cross. His citation includes the following:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, in action against the Japanese forces in Saipan, Marianas Islands, 20 June 1944. Courageously volunteering to enter a blazing dump to which contained vast supplies of artillery and mortar ammunition Corporal Auer worked desperately to extinguish the flames threatening further stores of explosives.
"Mortally wounded in carrying out his heroic task, Corporal Auer, by his alert initiative, superb daring and unflinching devotion to duty at the risk of his own life, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services He gallantly gave his life for his country."
His grave is at Salem Cemetery in Kosciusko County, Indiana, right next to his brother Lewis.
You can watch a YouTube tribute to Cpl. Auer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKVGjXH8pkI
Last year on this date I profiled B-25 pilot Laula Middleton. You can read about Laula 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!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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