Born: November 12, 1914
Died: December 24, 1971
Campaigns Served: Iwo Jima (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations: Purple Heart
Otto Buchle was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He and his wife Emma were residing near Harrisburg when Peark Harbor was attacked; Buchle was working for the Telegraph Press. He received his draft notice from the US Navy in March, 1944, and elected to serve with the Marines. After training as a mortarman, Buchle was assigned to Able Company, 24th Marines. Buchle joined the unit in the fall of 1944, as they prepared to invade the island of Iwo Jima.
Buchle was wounded and evacuated from Iwo Jima on February 20, 1945. He was placed aboard the (APA 192), then transferred to the USS Pinkney. He was probably debarked on Guam with the rest of the Pinkney's patients, and admitted to a hospital there. Buchle did not return to the battalion.
Otto Buchle returned to the United States after the war; he eventually retired to Land-o-Lakes, Florida. He was killed in a head-on automobile collision near Tampa on December 24, 1971.