Roseau County Historical Society and Museum -

The last of a series of veteran stories will be written About this week. The article About World War II veteran George N. Norlin was taken from the Roseau County Veterans Book of Honor compiled by the Veteran’s Memorial Park Committee.

George was born in April 13, 1922 at Winger Minnesota to Nettie and Oscar Norlin. He had two brothers.
George received his schooling through ninth grade at Winger and McIntosh and then moved with his parents to Roseau. In his junior year he won the American Legion Citizenship award.

In high school he was captained the basketball team and played baseball. In 1940, he was the salutatorian of his class. Friends speak of his high character, his excellent speaking skills and his ability to make friends. His kind attitude put people at ease. He decided early in his life to be either a minister or a trial lawyer. When he told his mother that his decision was to become a lawyer he added, “but Christ will always be the head of my home.”

In September 1942 with only one semester left in his studies at Concordia College, George enlisted in the Marines. He received his training at Gustavus Adolphus College, at Paris Island, VA. And a Camp Lejune, NC. He was then sent to Quantico, VA for officers training. On July 5, 1944, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Marines and was sent back to Camp Lejune where he served as an instructor until, at age 22, he was assigned to go overseas for the invasion of Iwo Jima, part of a long chain of islands essential to Allied plans to attack Japan itself in order to bring the war to an end.

During the invasion of the eight square mile island, George directed his men on the beaches for the first nine days under constant enemy fire. After a few days rest, he returned to the lines for the push inland to take the island itself.

On May 28, 1944 the Chaplain of “I” Company, 26th Marines wrote George’s parents:

George was wounded on March 14, 1945. George was directing machine gun fire, attempting to silence a Japanese gun which had pinned down some of our troops. One of the men was hit. George went to his aid: and it was while helping him that George received wounds that proved fatal. He was given immediate attention and sent to the beach. His last words to his sergeant were “Take care of the boys.” His men and fellow officers thought a great deal of George. During one campaign he was seen characteristically giving his last canteen of water to one of his men. He was put aboard the USS Bountiful for transfer to a hospital on Guam but died of wounds on the ship on March 15, 1945. He was buried with full military honors on Guam.”

George was one of 104 officers in his division killed on Iwo Jima. Total number of Marines killed on Iwo Jima was 6,800 and 18,200 wounded. In terms of American lives lost, the territory gained became the most costly real estate in American history.

George was awarded a Presidential citation for extraordinary heroism, the Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and Victory Medal World War II.

In May of 1945 many Roseauites attended George’s memorial service complete with military honors at English Lutheran Church. His body was returned to Roseau for re-interment at Hope Cemetery.
Information from his brother Dick Norlin, Fergus Falls, MN and the Roseau Times Region newspaper.

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