Captain Warren Miller “Sol” Wright USMC
Silver Star
The following was written by Warren’s wife, Camille as part of a memorial service.
“Warren Miller Wright, affectionately known as “Sol” was born February 9, 1919 In Nugent, Texas and gave his life in service to his country on February 24, 1945, in the battle of Iwo Jima. At the age of five, he moved to Portales with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Durward Wright and his older brother, Durward Haynes. At an early age he became a member of the First Christian Church and was baptized by Brother Claude Lorts. He attended Portales public schools taking an active part in all school activities. Upon completion of his junior high school course he shared salutatorian honors with his best friend. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 7 becoming an Eagle Scout. It is during this period that the Portales people remember Solo delivering their papers on his little white horse, Mutt. He was a member of the Portales High School band and was prominent in dramatics. Warren was graduated from Portales High School as valedictorian of his class in 1936. He received a scholarship to Eastern NM Junior College which he attended for two years. There he was President of the freshman class, athletic manager, outstanding in dramatics and was chosen Most Popular Boy by the Student Body.
At the end of these two years he was awarded a scholarship to New Mexico State College where he was graduated with honors in 1940 and received a scholarship to Iowa State College. He received his master’s degree in Agricultural Economy from Iowa State in 1942. Sol volunteered for the Marine Corps in August 1941. He was called to active duty in February 1942. He entered officers training and received his commission as a second Lieutenant at Quantico Virginia April 1942 and was retained as an instructor. On August 29, 1942 he was united in marriage to Miss Camille Parks of Hobbs New Mexico at the First Christian Church in Washington DC. They made their home at Quantico for one and one half years during which time he was promoted to captain. In January 1944 he was sent to Camp Pendleton California for overseas training and left in July of that year. While stationed in the Hawaiian Islands he received training as an aerial observer.”
Captain Wright was assigned to the 5th Marine Division for the invasion of Iwo Jima. His duty station was aboard the USS Steamer Bay where he would fly as an aerial observer attached to Composite Squadron 90. The following is extracted from the history of the ship.
“During the early part of the Iwo Jima operations there was sporadic but intense AA fire over the target. On one occasion the Squadron Commander of VC-90 returned aboard from his assignment of Air Coordinator with his fighter plane so badly damaged that it had to be jettisoned. One torpedo plane piloted by Lieutenant (j.g.) Jack F. Bloomer (A2), U.S.N.R., carrying two crewmen and a Marine Observer, Captain Warren W. Wright, U.S.M.C.R., Fifth Amphibious Marine Corps, was shot down over the eastern edge of the island. All occupants lost their lives when the plane crashed into the water. This was the only fatal crash in the Composite Squadron NINETY during the Iwo Jima operation.”
Captain Warren Miller “Sol” Wright died on February 24, 1945. His body was never recovered and today he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial Cemetery. In August 1945, his mother, Lillie Mae Wright, would learn of his older brother’s death while being held as a prisoner of the Japanese in the Philippines. Durward Wright died on June 21, 1942, Father’s day, the day after the passing of his father. Mrs. Lillie Mae Wright would continue to live in Portales until her death at age 100 in 1994.
Captain Warren Miller “Sol” Wright was 26 years of age at the time he gave his life in service to his nation.