Four Spartanburg County veterans honored for service during World War II

The non-profit Veteran’s Last Patrol recently celebrated the military service of four local World War II veterans: Walter Greene (Marines), Robert Justice (Navy), Stanley Moore (Marine) and George Reitmeier (Army).

Each veteran received a special gift at the ceremony held at 1881 Event Hall in Spartanburg in honor of their service.

American Legion SC presented a certificate of honor and a challenge coin to each veteran. Barney Diamos, the owner of DreamTeam Development Group, traveled from California to present each veteran with a shadow box displaying their medals for service.

Diamos has a passion for making sure World War II veterans are recognized.

“These men left their home, family and country to protect us against two very evil regimes,” Diamos said. “Having their medals displayed isn’t just something for them to have, but it’s something that should be handed down to every generation to remember how brave and giving this generation was in defending our country.”

Walter Greene, Marines

Walter Greene grew up in Spartanburg and entered service in March of 1944. He was a member of the 4th Marine Division and landed in Iwo Jima in February 1945. Greene was from a military family, with four older brothers also serving their country.

Greene was issued the Presidential Unit Citation and Purple Heart after being wounded at Iwo Jima while carrying a fellow wounded Marine down a hillside to safety.

Robert Justice, Navy

Robert Justice’s service in the Navy took him to Pearl Harbor, Marshall Islands and Okinawa. He enlisted Aug. 1, 1944 at just 17 years of age. He was a heavy equipment operator and did airstrip construction while in service. Justice attended the Last Patrol service wearing his uniform issued to him in 1944. Today he is 95 years old, and the uniform still fits.

While being presented the shadow box by Diamos, Justice said “I didn’t do all that much.” To which the crowd responded with, “Yes, you did.”

Justice said if Uncle Sam wanted him to do it again, he’d do it again.

Stanley Moore, Marines

Stanley Moore was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division while serving at Iwo Jima and also spent time as a combat photographer. Following the Japanese surrender, Moore also spent time in China because he chose to stay in service. Moore retired as a Master Sergeant after serving in Vietnam. He saw combat in both WWII and the Vietnam War.

Moore is known for telling the best jokes at the veteran’s lunches he attends in Spartanburg but says, “I’ll never tell one about my wife.” Moore and his wife have been married 64 years.

George Reitmeier, Army

George Reitmeier served in the 66th Army Infantry Division, arriving in Europe December 24, 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. However, he almost died before getting to Europe. Reitmeier was traveling to Europe on the Belgium ocean liner Leopold which was transporting 3,000 soldiers when it was hit by a German torpedo. 14 officers and 748 enlisted men were lost in the attack.

As the ship was going down, Reitmeier jumped to a British destroyer in the dark, in heavy seas. He was knocked unconscious and did not wake until the next day. His division went on to fight in the Brittany part of southwest France, south of the Normandy landings.

Ashley Dill is a native of Spartanburg and has been on staff for the Herald-Journal for 14 years. She covers community news and can be reached at ashley.dill@shj.com or on Twitter at @ashleydill_shj.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg veterans honored by Veteran's Last Patrol