Born: October 7, 1925
Died: November 24, 1989
Campaigns Served: Saipan (wounded), Tinian (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations:
Purple Heart
with Gold Star
Earl Bauknecht had just turned eighteen when he enlisted in the regular Marine Corps for a four year hitch. He was assigned to the Fourth Signal Company after his completing his advanced training.
On February 21, 1944, PFC Bauknecht was transferred to Charlie Company, 24th Marines as a rifleman. He was wounded in action on June 22, when his company was cut off on Saipan's Hill 700. Bauknecht was evacuated, but recovered sufficiently to be returned to duty on July 5.
Bauknecht was wounded a second time on July 24, shortly after landing on Tinian. This time, he was hospitalized and did not return to the battalion.
After his discharge from the Corps, Earl Bauknecht returned to Wisconsin. He married Illene Robinson in 1946; they had four children before divorcing. Bauknecht worked as a truck driver for most of his civilian life, and eventually relocated to Reno, Nevada.
Earl Bauknecht died in Idaho in 1989. He is buried in St. Wencel's Cemetery, Neva, Wisconsin.