Born: March 12, 1925
Died: March 8, 1945
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan (wounded), Iwo Jima (killed)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations: Purple Heart with Gold Star
Private William Ellerd enlisted in the Marine Corps at Macon, Georgia, in 1942. He was stationed at Camp Elliott before joining Able Company on August 26, 1943. Ellerd served as a rifleman; his promotion to PFC was likely delayed by an incident in October where he was convicted of "failure to carry out a lawful order and insolence to an NCO." After his performance in the battle of Namur, however, Ellerd received his first stripe and a reassignment to the position of platoon messenger.
Ellerd was wounded in action on June 28, 1944, while fighting on Saipan. He was evacuated for treatment, and wound up with a Marine detachment on Ebeye Island in the Kwajalein Atoll.
Upon his release, Ellerd was assigned to a different battalion of the 24th Marines, with whom he went into combat on Iwo Jima. PFC Ellerd died of wounds on March 8, 1945, just four days before his twentieth birthday.
He is buried in Houston Cemetery, Early County, Georgia.
Photo by Bradley Grantham, FindAGrave.com volunteer
Early County News
Thursday 1/13/1949FUNERAL WEDNESDAY FOR YOUNG MAN WHO LOST LIFE IN LATE WAR
Full military honors were accorded PFC. William Vernon Ellerd at funeral services held Wednesday afternoon at the Houston cemetery.
Young Ellerd's body was returned here Tuesday from overseas, where he lost his life in action in the service of his country on March 8, 1945. He was a member of the U.S. Marines. Officiating at the rites was the Rev. W.E. Storey and members of the American Legion served as pall-bearers. Minter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
PFC. Ellerd was a native of Early County, where he was born March 8, 1925, but resided near Coleman for several years prior to his entry into the service. He was a member of the Vilulah Baptist church.