A Marine World War II veteran delivered the game ball for the Washington Nationals game against the New York Mets Tuesday.
While the Nats would go on to lose that game 6-2, they took time before the first pitch to honor Cpl. Walter Greene, 93, for his service.
Greene was born in Arcadia, S.C. and entered the Marine Corps in 1944, a month shy of his 18th birthday, the Nats announced at the game. One of 10 children, Greene served with his three older brothers.
74 years ago, Greene landed on the sands of Iwo Jima as a young sharpshooter rifleman. Far from home, he fought with the 4th Marine Division in the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he was wounded in action.
"He returned home and grew old in a world that he helped keep free," the Nats said.
Greene was honorably discharged in 1946 and would go on to marry Carol Powell Greene. In more than 70 years of marriage, Greene and his wife had four children, nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
"Sir, thank you for honoring us with your presence here today. We salute you, those gone before you, and your brothers in arms who did not make it home," the Nats announced at the game.
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