SOURCE: 1930 Lewis Co., Washington census (Chehalis)--enumerated with father.

SOURCE: Howard E. [4006] Stidham of El Cajon, California, letter to OEJS, 2 Dec 1975.

RES: 1929, Chehalis, Washington; 1930, Mossyrock, Washingtgon; El Cajon, CA

BIRTHDATE: John W. [4008] Stidham of Valencia, California, letter to OEJS, 25 Sep 1976.

BIRTH: James M. [4007] Stidham of Bakersville, California, letter to OEJS, 14 Feb 1989. Source was family bible--copy of page attached to letter.

BURIAL: National Cemetery Administration, "Burial & Memorial Benefits, Nationwide Gravesite Locator." Internet.

MILITARY: retired Lt. Col. US Marine Corps, World War II, Korean War, 31 Aug 1938-31 Aug 1958. With 5th Marine Division, Sep 1945 to Feb 1946 in Japan.

MILITARY: Stationed at Norfolk Naval Base, 1949-1951.

MILITARY: From Michael Burge, "Howard Stidham, 83; decorated Marine office, ex-teacher." N.W. Union Tribune, El Cajon, California. 1 May 2002: "Retired Marine Lt. Col. Howard "Buck" Stidham...fought on Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and Iwo Jima during World War II...Col. Stidham was a member of the Marine Raiders, elite commandos who volunteered to operate behind enemy lines. In August, 1942, he took part in the Makin Raid, designed to slow the Japanese advace in the Pacific by diverting troops from Guadalcanal. In that action Raiders disembarked from two submarines off Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, known today as Kiribati, and went ashore on boats to attack a Japanese seaplane base. Col. Stidham, a sergeant at the time, described the ensuing battle as a 'big military version of the OK Corral,' in which troops lined up across a narrow strip of land and shot at each other from close range. Col. Stidham and then-Major James Roosevelt, President Franklin Roosevelt's son, paddled through heavy surf to get back to the subs after the raid. Col. Stidham was promoted to lieutenant during the battle of Iwo Jima and awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism there. He also served during the Korean War, and retired in 1958. He first enlisted in the Marined in the 1930s at the age of 17, served three years, then left. He re-enlisted at the outbreak of World War II."

MILITARY: "Graduated from Mossyrock Highschool in June 1936, and entered the US Marine Corps 3 months later. When World War II started, volunteered for 2nd Marine Raidr Battalion and participated in makin, Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and Imo Jima operatons. Awarded Bronze Star and commissioned 2nd Lt. for service on Iwo Jima. Participated in orginal occupation of Japan. Participated in Korea with 1st Marine division. Retired from the USMC in 1958 afte 22 years of service in every rank from privae to Lt.Col." - Howard E. "Buck" [4006] Stidham of El Cajon, California, letter to oejs, 7 Nov 1988.

MILITARY: Participated in the followin actions againstthe japanese duringworld War II: Midway, June 1942; Makin Island Raid, Aug 1942; Guadalcanal, Oct-Nov 1942; Bougainville, Nov-1943-Jan 1944; Iwo Jima, Feb 1945. Received a field commission to 2nd Lt. on Iwo Jima, and participated in the occupation of Japan.- ref. Howard E. [4006] Stidham of El Cajon, California, letter to OEJS, 2 Dec 1975.

EDUCATION: Graduated Mossyrock High School in June 1936; San Diego State University, teaching, BA, Jan 1961.

OCCUPATION: taught wood shop at highschool from 1961-1981.

PHOTOGRAPHS

• Married: 26 Dec 1946 in Ciscero, Illinois
• Note: SOURCE: Howard E. "Buck" [4006] Stidham of El Cajon, California, letter to oejs, 7 Nov 1988.

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