Jess Willard Bright was born at Dante, Virginia, the son of Leslie Newland Bright and Sarah Ethel Bright.
Killed in action on Iwo Jima
The Kingsport TImes, May 20, 1948:
The body of Pfc. Jess Willard Bright, USMC was to have arrived in Kingsport today for burial here. Bright was killed in action on Iwo Jima March 16, 1945. Pfc. Bright entered service in April 1943, and received training at San Diego, Calif., and Pendleton Field, Calif., before going overseas. He was a member of Company G, 28th Regiment, 5th Marine Corps Division. Born July 19, 1924, near Castlewood, Va., he attended high school at Fraley, Va., and was employed for about six months at Tennessee Eastman Corporation before entering the service. He attended church at Buffer’s Chapel, in Scott County, Va. Surviving are his father and step-mother, Mr and Mrs. Leslie N. Bright, 126 Suncrest Drive, Kingsport; a brother, Hubert Bright of Gate City, Va.; a sister, Mrs. Lillian Moles; and three half-brothers, Sidney, Allen and Garry Bright, all of Kingsport; his grandmothers, Mrs. Rachel Bright of Hiltons, Va., and Mrs. Mollie Bright, of 317 Childress Street, Kingsport.
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 19 July 1924
- Date of death: 16 March 1945
- County: Hawkins
- Hometown: Church Hill
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 28th Regiment, 5th Marine Corps Division
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Iwo Jima
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Bright Cemetery, Scott County, VA
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XII, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Jess W. Bright
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