Photo on the right: "A lovingly carved memorial left at the 3rd Marine Cemetery on Iwo Jima." Source: USMC Photo, www.ww2gyrene.org/spotlight_9.html
Robert Lee McDowell
Born 16 March 1921 in Ringgold County, Iowa.
Died 11 March 1945 on the island of Iowa Jima.
Son of Jesse L. McDowell, brother of George Earl McDowell and first cousin to Lester Harold McDowell.
"Robert L. McDowell was the only child born to Jesse and Marie (Reasoner) McDowell. He arrived on March 16, 1921. He went to school in Beaconsfield, IA graduating in 1938. He was employed in Detroit, MI when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp during WWII. He reported to duty Aug. 5, 1942 for his basic training at Camp Elliott and Camp Pendleton in CA and left for overseas duty in Jan. 1943.
A letter received from him says as follows: "I have been in New Zealand, stationed near Auckland. At present I am on a tropical South Sea Island. Our camp is in a large coconut grove and is so pretty with the moon and stars shining through those large leaves. There are bananas, lemons, papayas, limes and pineapples on this island. I've always been looking for Holly (Dickerson perhaps) but of all the ships I've been on I haven't seen one fellow I knew. I really appreciate letters."
Bob became a corporal and a member of the Third Marine Division which had taken part in the invasions of the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Bogainville, Saipan and Guam.
He served in actual combat for 26 months and had never been granted a furlough during his period of service with the Marines. Cpl. McDowell was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart; Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; three Presidential Citations, namely: three ribbon bars with three battle stars, Asiatic, Pacific Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal.
Robert, who was 23 years old, lost his life on Iwo Jima on Mar. 11, 1945. He is buried at Oliver Cemetery with his parents." -Dorine (Pidcock) Jones
Beaconsfield Centennial Book.
"McDowell, Robert L., Cpl., USMCR, Father, Mr. Jesse L. McDowell, Norwalk."
World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945.
Pictures and Information About the Third Marine Division in WWII
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