James Worsley during war, above, and in 1999, below

PITTSBURGH — A late Butler man will be honored Monday for his heroism during World War II.

James Mark Worsley will be inducted into the Joseph A. Dugan Hall of Valor at the Soldiers and Sailors Military Museum & Memorial.

Worsley, who died May 12, 2006, was chosen for inclusion in the memorial for his actions against the Japanese in the Pacific. He was nominated by his brother, Albert E. Worsley Jr.

James Worsley, who was a Marine private first class, used his carbine to cover the withdrawal of his section until all the wounded were moved out during a counterattack, according to museum records. When he left the position, he rammed in a shell in a howitzer cannon, and fired single-handedly on the advancing Japanese.

Worsley received the award for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Battery H, Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944," according to his official award citation.

These actions, featured in Brad Gate's book "The Last Great Banzai," earned him the a Silver Star medal, the fourth highest military decoration awarded to any U.S. Armed Forces branch and the third highest awarded for valor in the face of the enemy.

Worsley also fought in the battle of Tarawa, one of the costliest battles for American causalities.

"In addition to his service, Worsley qualifies for induction because he was born and enlisted into the service in southwestern Pennsylvania," said Casey Patterson, the museum's director of public relations.

"In order for any veteran to be inducted he must meet the medal and location qualifications," Patterson said.

The memorial honors 600 veterans, nine of whom are from Butler County. Worsley will be the county's 10th inductee.

More than 30 of his family members will attend the 2:30 p.m. ceremony in his memory.

"He was pretty much a true Marine," said his son, Albert E. Worsley III, "and I think he would say that this award really goes to the entire division, rather than just himself."

"He wasn't selfish," he said. "I think he would have said 'I'm a Marine, and that's what Marines do.'"

Worsley's wife, Herta Worsley, whom he married Dec. 14, 1945, will be on hand to accept the award for her husband.He was a member of the Michael Kosar Post 778 of the American Legion, the Bantam Detachment 743 of the Marine Corps League and the Joseph T. Black Post 249 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.He was a salesman for Dick Glenn's Auto Sales, previously on Route 8, and later Carbo Jet, a bar and restaurant beverage supplier, said Worsley III.A total of 16 veterans will be honored at the nonprofit museum at 4141 Fifth Ave. The museum has exhibits featuring veterans from the Civil War to the Iraq War.The museum will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday with free admission, entertainment and food tents.