THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida

BUNNELL MARINE KILLED IN ACTION
IN PACIFIC WAR

HOWARD S. BANKSTON, Private First Class of the U. S. Marine Corps, and son of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Bankston of Bunnell was killed "in action on September 20, 1944 in the performance of his duty and service of his country," a telegram from Washington delivered to the parents here last Saturday stated.

Private Bankston was 20 years of age, and enlisted in the Marine Corps at Orlando, Florida, on December 11, 1942. He took most of his training in California, being sent to the Southwest Pacific theater a few months later.

He took part in a number of. actions there before losing his life on one of the Pacific islands.

He was born and reared in Bunnell and attended the local high school before entering the Marine Corps.

Surviving are his parents and one sister, Mrs. Robert Bertha, also of Bunnell.

NOTE: Private Bankston was born on 17 Jun 1924 at Mound Grove, Volusia County, Florida. His parents were Samuel Collins Bankston and Katherine Delores "Katie" Johnston.

He enlisted on 11 Dec 1942 at Orlando, Florida as a Pvt in the USMC, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Div and was killed in action on 20 Sep 1944 at Peleliu, Pavlau Island as a PFC. Period of service was 17 months. His decorations included the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/3 battle stars, American Theatre of Operations Medal, WW II Victory Medal. His body was moved to the National Cemetery at Manila.

Mrs Katherine Bankston was presented the Cross of Military Service from the United Daughters of the Confederacu, General Joseph Eggleson Chapter on 20 Apr 1969, posthumously for her son.

The Crosses of Military Service, the outgrowth of the Cross of Honor awarded to Confederate Veterans, include WW I Cross of Military Service; Spanish-American; Phillipine Insurrection; WWII; Korea and Vietnam. The decorations have been established as a testimonial to the patriotic devotion of certain Confederate Veterans and their descendants, are not given for any one special act of bravery, but to officers and privates alike for endurance.