#348 Frank Wright - The Last Living Original Marine Raider From WW2

Shawn Ryan (0:00)

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Shawn Ryan (1:25)

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Mr. Frank Wright, welcome to the show. It's an honor to have you here.

Frank Wright (3:09)

Thank you very kindly.

Shawn Ryan (3:10)

So, I just found out right before we sat down that you are the last living original Marine Raider.

Frank Wright (3:19)

That's correct. That's what I understand now.

Shawn Ryan (3:23)

That is incredible. I had a lot of friends. I have a lot of friends that are Marine Raiders, and I have a deep, deep respect.

I know they're going to love this interview.

Frank Wright (3:33)

We were a good group, but good Lord says they want them on pearly gates, they got them.

Shawn Ryan (3:45)

That's right. Well, let me start you up with an introduction.

Mr. Frank Wright, you're a World War II Marine veteran who joined the Marine Corps at just age 16, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, later serving with the 4th Marine Raider Battalion, one of the Marine Corps' earliest special operations units. You fought in some of the most pivotal campaigns of the Pacific War, including Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Guam, and Iwo Jima, later serving with the 21st Marines. You were wounded multiple times in combat, including a devastating gunshot wound on Iwo Jima that tore your chest, lung, clavicle, and left arm, ultimately earning you the Purple Heart. Among your other citations, Purple Heart with one star, Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, Navy Unit Accommodation, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three stars, Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Exigna with four stars, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with four stars, World War II Victory Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

After recovering from your combat wounds, you went on to serve as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, training the next generation of Marines. After the war, you built a successful career and a family that now includes children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Later in life, you wrote Battles in the Pacific to preserve your firsthand memories of the war and ensure the names and stories of the men you served alongside were never forgotten. You were married for 74 years. You're 101 years old. Most importantly, you're a Christian.