Born: August 5, 1917
Died: April, 1974
Campaigns Served: Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: First Sergeant
Decorations: Purple Heart
Howard Burton was born in Oakvale, West Virginia, the youngest son of Mathias and Minnie Burton. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1937, and was sent from Baltimore, MD, to training at Parris Island, South Carolina. He was one of the lucky graduates to be assigned to sea duty, and for the next three years served as part of the Marine Detachment aboart the heavy cruiser USS Pensacola.
With Charlie Company:
Gunnery Sergeant Burton joined Charlie Company in the spring of 1944, following the Kwajalein campaign. He served in the capacity of First Sergeant following the death of Ralph Lilja, and held that position through the Marianas campaign. He was formally promoted to First Sergeant in the fall of 1944, and was reassigned to Able Company.
With Able Company:
Burton held the most senior position of any NCO in the company until he was wounded on March 16, 1945, in the very final stages of the battle for Iwo Jima. He was immediately evacuated, and held the dubious distinction of being one of the battalions final combat casualties.
First Sergeant Burton's further service is unknown.