Edward Allen Carlson
Assistant Cook Edward A. Carlson served with HQ Company, Third Battalion, 23rd Marines.
He was killed in action at Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 422583
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by DPAA
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 16, 1925
at Norwich, CT
Parents
Carl John Carlson
Mercedes (Ulrici) Carlson
Education
Norwich Free Academy
Occupation & Employer
High school student
Service Life
Entered Service
August 11, 1942
at Springfield, MA
Home Of Record
359 Washington Street
Norwichtown, CT
Next Of Kin
Parents, Carl & Mercedes Carlson
Military Specialty
Cook (MOS 060)
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart (Iwo)
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 19 February 1945, the Third Battalion, 23rd Marines landed on an Iwo Jima beach codenamed Yellow 1. Within minutes, Japanese mortar rounds began landing among the Marines packed on the beach, creating havoc among the reserve waves as they piled up on the sand, unable to advance or retreat.
Assistant Cook Edward Carlson was struck by a mortar round somewhere on Yellow Beach. Master Technical Sergeant Joseph Seims – who served directly with Carlson as the company’s mess sergeant – saw the result:
I certify that I saw the body of Assistant Cook Edward A. Carlson… who was killed by mortar fire on 19 February 1945. He had been hit on the left hip and head. I am positive that it was Assistant Cook Carlson, as I looked at his identification tags which were still around his neck.
Although Carlson’s death was witnessed and reported – and his tags were left with his remains – there is no record of his burial anywhere on Iwo Jima.
Burial Information or Disposition
Unknown.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Carl & Mercedes Carlson
Location Of Loss
Carlson was killed in action somewhere on Beach Yellow 1, Iwo Jima.
