Private First Class Roland E. Palmer

United States Marine Corps

Died of Wounds – 21 February 1945 – Iwo Jima

Roland Palmer was born in Marysville on August 31, 1925, as the third son to Harry Palmer.  He was the second son to Harry’s second wife, and Esther (Scheiderer) Palmer.  His older brothers were Harold his half-brother, and Arthur.  By the time World War Two began, Roland had four younger brothers too: John, known as Hans; Robert and Ralph, twins; and William.  Roland and his brothers grew up on the east side of Marysville, living on South Oak, East 6^th, and East 4^th Streets.  At Marysville High School, Roland played football, and in his senior year was starting defensive halfback, while brother John started at right offensive guard.  He graduated in 1943.  Before enlisting in the Marine Corps, he served in Company G of the Ohio State Guard, which took over the role of the Ohio National Guard division when it was activated.  

Roland enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in November, 1943, and was sent to Parris Island, S.C. for training.  After graduating boot camp, he was assigned to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion of the 4^th Marine Division.  At the time, the 4^th Division was in the Pacific Theater, having taken part in the battle for Kwajalein.  He would have joined the division as it prepared on Maui, Territory of Hawaii, for its next mission.  This was the invasion of Saipan, which was to provide the airfields for the B-29s to begin bombing Japan.  After Saipan, back to Maui to prepare for next assignment – Iwo Jima.  In January, 1945, moved to Oahu to finalize preparation for the invasion of “Island X”.  On 27 January 1945, the division sailed aboard the transports heading to Iwo Jima.