Cpl Stanley E. Friedrichs
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), L Company 3rd Battalion 8th Marines (L/3/8)

Background
Stanley Ernest Friedrichs was born in Toledo, Iowa to parents Albert C Friedrichs and Vera Marie Eberhart.

Wartime History
On June 16, 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) with serial number 308630. He qualified with the rifle as a sharpshooter and completed recruit training in the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion in San Diego. On August 9, 1941 assigned to L Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Elliott, CA. On January 2, 1942 promoted to the rank of Private First Class (Pfc).

On January 6, 1942 embarks aboard SS Monterey at San Diego and was sent overseas across the Pacific. On January 20, 1942 disembarked at American Samoa. On April 1, 1942 promoted to the rank of Corporal. On October 23, 1942 embarked aboard USS Hunter Ligget (APA-14) and a week later reached Efate in New Hebrides.

On November 4, 1942 landed as a reinforcement on Guadalcanal and attached to the 1st Marine Division. On November 30, 1942 Killed In Action (KIA) on Guadalcanal. Afterwards, buried at the American Cemetery Guadalcanal at row 73, grave 8. His grave was adorned with a mess tray and read "Corp. Stanley E. Friedrichs L-7-7".

On September 17, 1943 First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited his grave during her tour of Guadalcanal. Footage of her visit and inspecting the mess tray suspended over his grave was recorded in "Eleanor Roosevelt Visits Guadalcanal" YANK cine film.

During 1948, his remains were exhumed and transported to the United States for permanent burial at Oak Hill Cemetery, Tama, Iowa.

References
FindAGrave - Stanley E Friedrichs (photo, grave photo)

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