Arthur Poindexter

--Eron Ben-Yehuda

Retired Marine Col. Arthur Poindexter, who helped defend Wake Island in

World War II, died Jan. 5 of congestive heart failure at his Huntington

Beach home. He was 82.

“He is just a very patriotic and honorable person that put his country

before himself throughout his life,” said his daughter, Martha

Poindexter.

After joining the Marines, the Wisconsin native was assigned to Wake

Island in the Pacific Ocean. A day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the

Japanese attacked Wake Island. Poindexter was among the U.S. forces that

fought 16 days before surrendering on Christmas Day. He was sent to a

prisoner of war camp in China until the war ended about four years later.

He also served in Korea before retiring from the corps in 1963, ending a

26-year military career.

Poindexter later earned a master’s degree and a doctorate from the

University of Hawaii. He then taught international relations at Cal State

Long Beach for 16 years.

A memorial service was held Monday at Huntington Landmark, the senior

community where he lived. He is expected to be buried with military

honors at Arlington National Cemetery sometime in February, his daughter

said.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughters Martha and Mary

Poindexter; a brother; and three stepchildren.