Lester H. Richards

Private Lester H. Richards, 20, of Third Avenue, Pine Hill, N.J., served with the 4th Marine Division, USMCR. A former member of the Pine Hill Police Department, he was a sergeant of civilian defense auxiliary police. He enlisted in the Marines in March 1944 and went overseas with the 4th Marine Division. He was wounded in action on February 22, 1945. He was killed in action on Iwo Jima on March 4, 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. He is remembered on the Pine Hill, N.J. War Memorial.

He was survived by his widow, a seven-year-old daughter, and two brothers, William and Robert, both in the armed forces.

A Pine Hill Marine was reported killed in action yesterday, five other servicemen are listed as wounded, and one is reported as a prisoner of war. Two from South Jersey are among those liberated from enemy prison camps.

In all cases, next of kin have previously been notified, and in case of divergence from this list, the last word sent next of kin is always the appropriate final authority.

Killed:

Pvt. Lester H. Richards, 20, USMCR, of Third Avenue, Pine Hill

Killed on Iwo

Richards was killed in action on Iwo on March 4, his widow was notified. He had been wounded on February 22. A former member of the Pine Hill Police Department, he was a sergeant of civilian defense auxiliary police. He enlisted in the Marines in March 1944 and went overseas with the 4th Marine Division. In addition to his widow, he is survived by a seven-year-old daughter, and two brothers, William and Robert, both in the armed forces.