Joseph Isaac “Joe Ike” Fleenor was born 18 January 1924, the son of William Charles Fleenor and Mettie Mildred McClelland.
He was killed in action 10 May 1945 on Okinawa.
Buried at Morning View Cemetery, Bluff City, TN.
Private First Class
22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, 1st Battalion, Company C
The Bristol Herald Courier, 23 May 1945:
Pvt. Joe Ike Fleenor, 21, of the United States Marine Corps, one of Bluff City’s most popular young men, was killed in action May 10 on Okinawa, his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Latture, were informed last night in a message from General A.A. Vandegriff. Young Fleenor, widely known in this section, entered service last July 16 and trained at Marine Corps bases at Parris Island and New River, N.C. He left for the Pacific theatre of war in December. The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Will Fleenor of Bluff City, Pvt. Fleenor graduated from Bluff City high school in the spring of 1943 after making an outstanding record in his classes and the school’s athletic program. He was center in basketball and caught and played outfield on the baseball team. Pvt. Fleenor was also an outstanding amateur boxer, winning the light-heavyweight championship in the Golden Gloves tournament in Bristol, held at King College under the sponsorship of the Civitan Club. He also played basketball with the championship H.P. King company quint of the Bristol Y.M.C.A. league. Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Martha Green and Leah and Mary Don Fleenor, and one brother, Bill Fleenor.
Okinawa Cemetery photos provided by Caleb Wilson.
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 18 January 1924
- Date of death: 10 May 1945
- County: Sullivan
- Hometown: Bluff City
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 22 Marine, 6th Marine Division
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Okinawa
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Morning View Cemetery, Bluff City, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Joseph I. Fleenor
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