Virgil Reuben Isaacson, age 84, Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, in the VA Medical Center, Fargo, ND.
Virgil was born Jan. 5, 1925, in Fertile, MN. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps from his hometown of Crookston, MN, during World War II. Virgil served as a corporal between 1943 and 1946. He was an artillery gunner in the 5th Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, "G" Battery, assigned to support the 28th Infantry Regiment, to take Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. He personally witnessed the famous raising of the flags from the bottom of the hill. Virgil was injured in combat on Mount Suribachi, and was awarded a Purple Heart at Camp Lejeune.
Following his discharge, Virgil graduated from Hanson Mechanical Trade School, in Fargo, ND, in 1950, and worked in Grand Forks, ND, at Valley Motors and Bob Sellers Dodge, for 29 years as an auto body repairman.
He moved to Springfield, OR, after 1980. He returned to Moorhead in July of 2005. Virgil was a grateful participant in Honor Flight 3, in 2007.
Virgil is survived by two daughters, Julie Smith, Moorhead, and JacLynn (Michael) Hurly, Joplin, MO; four grandchildren, Michael (Kim) Hurly, Devils Lake, ND, Sean Hurly, New Orleans, LA, Michelle Hurley, New Orleans, and Amorette Smith, Cortland, NY; and great-granddaughter, Madeline Hurly, Devils Lake.
Visitation: One hour prior to the funeral.
Funeral: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at 1 PM,
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
Burial: Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery,
Little Falls, MN.