Walter Leroy O’Haver was born March 10, 1920 in Freeport, Illinois to his parents Charles and Clara O’Haver. He enlisted in the Marines on July 19, 1943 in Chicago. At that time, he was married to his wife Lois. All documents and medals were sent to his parents, not his wife. It is not known why. She may have pre deceased him or divorced him.
He trained in San Diego beginning 8/2/43, thence to Camp Pendleton through January 10, 1944 and then started overseas beginning January 23, 1944 sailing on the M.S. Sommelsdijk, arriving in New Cakedonia on February 9, 1944. He was assigned to Co. A 1st Bn, 19th Marines on Feb 17, 1944. He was promoted to PFC in April 1, 1944. He embarked on June 4, 1944 from Guadalcanal and after 3 weeks at sea, landed at Guam on July 21 as part of the invasion force. On September 7, 1944 the unit’s designation was changed Co. A 3rd Engineer Bn.
He left Guam and embarked on the USS Knox on February 16, 1945 and arrived at Iwo Jima on February 22, 1945 and then landed ashore 2 days later.
PFC O’Haver was killed in action on Iwo Jima with a shrapnel wound to the chest on March 3. Walter was initially buried March 4 in the 3rd Marine Division Cemetery Grave #399, row 16 on Iwo Jima. His mother applied to have his remains shipped home in 1947, and was buried in Freeport.
PFC O’Haver’s group includes his officially engraved posthumous type 1 Purple Heart, his file from the National Archives and data from Ancestry.com
