Born: September 11, 1924
Died: February 21, 1945
Campaigns Served: Iwo Jima (killed)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations:
Purple Heart
Joe Borges, known as "Smokie," was a resident of Fortuna, California. His father, a rancher, kept Joe busy herding cattle; but nineteen-year-old Joe was looking for adventure. He joined the Marines in March, 1944 and was assigned to Charlie Company, 24th Marines as a replacement rifleman in the fall of that year.
Borges made the landing on Iwo Jima, where his company was immediately pinned down by mortar and sniper fire. Two days later, while sheltering in his foxhole, Smokie was hit by a Japanese mortar shell. Shrapnel tore into his chest, killing him instantly.
For an interesting article about the battle of Iwo Jima, which includes information on Joe Borges, please click here.
Joe Borges is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Section F, Grave 643.
