P/Sgt. Richard Carl Winkler Jr. was born in Forest Park, Illinois, on February 15, 1920, to Richard C. Winkler Sr. and Anna Lohr-Winkler and had a sister and two brothers. His family resided at 1042 South Troost Avenue in Forest Park. He graduated from Saint Bernadine School and in 1937 from Proviso Township High School. It is not known what job he held after high school.
On September 18, 1940, Richard enlisted in the United States Marines in Chicago at the Central Recruiting Division. It is known he received the serial number 00 295 590 and did his basic training at Camp Pendleton, California, as part of the 3rd Recruit Battalion, Recruit Depot, Base Troops. In 1941, he was in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, before being transferred to Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Battalion, 8th Marine Division. He was then at the Marine Barracks – Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, in July 1941. I 1942, he was assigned to Company B, 2nd Parachute Battalion, Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, and in January 1943, he was in C Company, 3rd Parachute Platoon, Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, Camp Elliot, San Diego. In early 1943, he was at Post Headquarters Company, Post Troops, Marine Barracks, Parris Island, South Carolina. It was after this that he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division and sent to the South Pacific and sent to the Solomon Islands. During this time, he rose in rank.
On August 15, 1943, the 3rd Marine Division landed, on August 15, 1943, on the island of Vella Lavella to capture the airfield on the island. The 3rd Marines drove the Japanese troops north until they were relieved by New Zealand troops who captured the island. His unit was sent for rest and relaxation before taking part in the Battle of Bougainville. The battle was not to drive the Japanese from the island but to gain control of enough flat land to build an airfield so light bombers and fighters could reach the Island of Rabaul. The Marines landed at Cape Torokina, on November 1st, and met little resistance since they had surprised the Japanese. In January 1944, the division was sent to Guadalcanal for rest and replacements. Before taking part in the Battle of Guam from July 21, 1944 until August 8, 1944. After this battle the division was sent to Hawaii for training as it prepared to take part in the Battle of Iwo Jima. During this time he was made a platoon sergeant and assigned to I Company, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. Iwo Jima was the first combat the 5th would experience.
The Marines landed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. On the 22nd Richard was wounded suffering shell fragment wound to his abdomen. He was evacuated to to the USHS Samaritan and at some point taken to Guam for additional medical treatment. Records show that on February 22, 1945, P/Sgt. Richard C, Winkler Jr, died from his wounds. After his death, Richard was buried in Cemetery #2, Agat, Guam in Plot C, Row 18, Grave 3. The US Naval Command knew of Richard’s death on March 4, 1945, but it is not known when his father learned of his death.
At some point, Richard Sr. received a letter from the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, providing him with his options for his son’s final burial. He completed an enclosed form that indicated where he wanted Richard buried. He asked that Richard’s remains be returned to the US for burial in Illinois.
P/Sgt. Richard C. Winkler was buried, on April 28, 1948, in Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois, in Section 57, Lot: 253.
