IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF RICHARD WESLEY PEARSON, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY AT IWO JIMA, VOLCANO ISLANDS, 13 MARCH 1945. HE STANDS IN THE UNBROKEN LINE OF PATRIOTS WHO HAVE DARED TO DIE, THAT FREEDOM MIGHT LIVE, AND GROW, AND INCREASE ITS BLESSINGS. FREEDOM LIVES, AND THROUGH IT, HE LIVES --- IN A WAY THAT HUMBLES THE UNDERTAKINGS OF MOST MEN --- SIGNED FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.' Richard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Pearson, was born January 10, 1927 in Concordia, and attended elementary and high school here. He was employed at the Locke drug store during his junior and senior years. After enlisting for service with the Marines in February of his senior year in high school, he was granted his diploma after extra work to finish his course, and was called for training March 27, 1944. He trained at San Diego and Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA, and left the states September 18 for Hawaii. He had a happy, friendly smile and the other fellows kidded him sometimes because he was a little guy --- shorter than most. He didn't let it bother him though. Some time about the first of the year, he left Hawaii for action in the South Pacific area, and took part as a machine-gunner in the invasion of Iwo Jima with the 28th regiment, Fifth Marine Division. On March 1 the Blade-Empire published a picture of the Marines of Private Pearson's outfit raising the Stars and Stripes on Mt. Suribachi on February 23, 1945, after a bitter fight which left only 16 men alive out of the regiment. Richard was later killed in action on 13 March 1945 at Iwo Jima Volcano Islands. He was a nephew of Major Paul E. Pearson, who was taken prisoner in the fall of Bataan and Corrigedor. Richard was survived by his parents; one brother, Pvt. Robert E. Pearson; one sister, Karen; and his grandmother, Mrs. Lizzie Pearson, Concordia.