Richard L. Symons enlisted as a Private (S/N 282248) in the United States Marine Corps on 03 February 1940. He completed boot camp in San Diego, California, and boarded a Naval transport bound for Shanghai, China, shortly thereafter. In July, 1940, Private Symons was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Shanghai, China. He served with them through the rest of the year and was promoted to Private First Class.
The Fourth Marines left China for the Philippines in late 1941 to help prepare defenses against the predicted Japanese attack. After landing in Olongapo, his unit was moved to Fort Mills, Corregidor as part of the island defenses when war with Japan broke out on 08 December 1941. The Marines were quartered in the barracks on Middleside.
PFC Richard Symons participated in the siege of Corregidor. The 1st Battalion took the east sector, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point on the tail of the island. He would have been in the thick of the fighting. On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison, which surrendered at 1200 hours the following day. Private First Class Richard L. Symons was among those killed on 06 May 1942. His body was seen after the battle, but his burial site was not reported and his remains have not been recovered.
He also has a cenotaph in Oak Grove Cemetery, Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan.
The Fourth Marines left China for the Philippines in late 1941 to help prepare defenses against the predicted Japanese attack. After landing in Olongapo, his unit was moved to Fort Mills, Corregidor as part of the island defenses when war with Japan broke out on 08 December 1941. The Marines were quartered in the barracks on Middleside.
PFC Richard Symons participated in the siege of Corregidor. The 1st Battalion took the east sector, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point on the tail of the island. He would have been in the thick of the fighting. On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison, which surrendered at 1200 hours the following day. Private First Class Richard L. Symons was among those killed on 06 May 1942. His body was seen after the battle, but his burial site was not reported and his remains have not been recovered.
He also has a cenotaph in Oak Grove Cemetery, Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan.
Richard L. Symons enlisted as a Private (S/N 282248) in the United States Marine Corps on 03 February 1940. He completed boot camp in San Diego, California, and boarded a Naval transport bound for Shanghai, China, shortly thereafter. In July, 1940, Private Symons was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Shanghai, China. He served with them through the rest of the year and was promoted to Private First Class.
The Fourth Marines left China for the Philippines in late 1941 to help prepare defenses against the predicted Japanese attack. After landing in Olongapo, his unit was moved to Fort Mills, Corregidor as part of the island defenses when war with Japan broke out on 08 December 1941. The Marines were quartered in the barracks on Middleside.
PFC Richard Symons participated in the siege of Corregidor. The 1st Battalion took the east sector, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point on the tail of the island. He would have been in the thick of the fighting. On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison, which surrendered at 1200 hours the following day. Private First Class Richard L. Symons was among those killed on 06 May 1942. His body was seen after the battle, but his burial site was not reported and his remains have not been recovered.
He also has a cenotaph in Oak Grove Cemetery, Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan.
The Fourth Marines left China for the Philippines in late 1941 to help prepare defenses against the predicted Japanese attack. After landing in Olongapo, his unit was moved to Fort Mills, Corregidor as part of the island defenses when war with Japan broke out on 08 December 1941. The Marines were quartered in the barracks on Middleside.
PFC Richard Symons participated in the siege of Corregidor. The 1st Battalion took the east sector, from Malinta Hill to Hooker Point on the tail of the island. He would have been in the thick of the fighting. On the night of 05 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island and overwhelmed the garrison, which surrendered at 1200 hours the following day. Private First Class Richard L. Symons was among those killed on 06 May 1942. His body was seen after the battle, but his burial site was not reported and his remains have not been recovered.
He also has a cenotaph in Oak Grove Cemetery, Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan.
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Entered the service from Michigan.
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