Categorie: Guadacanal-Solomon and Savo Islands 1943

Rank and Name, Lieutenant Junior Grade Tom Grover Atwell.

Unit/Placed in, Fighting Squadron 12 (VF-12), United States Naval Reserve.

 

Tom is born approx. on 1918 in Missouri.

Father, Grover C. Atwell.

Mother, Laura A. (Bellon) Atwell.

Brother(s), Louis, Gayle and Gayle B. Atwell.

Spouse, Helen P. Atwell.

 

Tom enlisted the service in Missouri with service number # 0-129997.

 

Tom was KIA when in attack against the Japanese Navy he was shot down and crashed in the sea on 5 Nov. 1943, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Tom is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to,

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

 

November 5, 1943, Fighting Squadron 12 (USS Saratoga), Rabaul Strike, ATWELL, Tom G, LTJG

Rank and Name, Aviation Ordnance man Second Class Frank Eugene Atkins.

Unit/Placed in, Patrol Squadron 51 (VP-51), United States Navy.

Frank served as an Aviation Ordnance man Second Class on a PB4Y-1 Liberator, U.S. Navy during World War II.  The PB4Y-1 Liberator was the Navy’s version of the Army Air Force B-24. Frank was part of a bombing mission that included 9 PB4Y-1 Liberator’s, 10 P-38 Lightnings, and twelve F4U Corsairs. The entire group was attacked by 30 Japanese A6M Zeros & about 15 A6M2-N floatplanes. Two of the 9 PB4Y-1 Liberator’s, 4 P-38G’s, and 2 F4U-1 Corsair’s were lost in this mission. This mission became known as the “Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre” since a total of 26 Navy and Air Force servicemen were lost.

 

Frank is born approx. on 1923 in South Carolina.

Father, Eward Atkins.

Mother, Etta Atkins.

Sister(s), Ruth, Alice and Annie May Atkins.

Brother(s), Carl, Harold and Edward Atkins Jr.

 

Frank enlisted the service in South Carolina with service number # 2627848.

 

Frank‘s Crew-members on-board the plane a PB4Y-1 were,

Lt.               Jay D. Bacon Jr.      Pilot

Ensign          Edmund J. Kolazyk  Co Pilot

Aom2.          Frank E. Atkins

Arm2.          William Barber

Arm1.          Frank L. Betz Jr.

Amm1          Jessie L. Henderson

Amm2.         Norman L. North

Amm2.         John M. Walker

Amm2.         Oscar K. Ward

Amm3.         Roy R. Wells

Aom3.          Joseph H. Zattera

 

Frank was KIA near Kahili when they were attacked and shot by the Japanese on 14 Feb. 1943,  he is honored with a Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Frank is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/pb4y-1/bacon.html

https://books.google.nl/books?id=wjVPDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA257&lpg=PA257&dq=BUNO:+31948&source=bl&ots=ioAKornveP&sig=ACfU3U1kLFgcIhwibS6PcztJ_2KYp_xD7A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigpcaw1sDsAhXR_KQKHd4lBXMQ6AEwAHoECAIQAg#v=onepage&q=BUNO%3A%2031948&f=false

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Seaman Second Class Harry Drew Atherton Jr.

Unit/Placed in, USS Smith (DD-378) Destroyer, United States Navy.

 

Harry is born approx. on 1925 in Maine.

Father, Harry D. Atherton.

Mother, Mildred (Hope) Atherton.

Brother(s), Stanley D. Atherton.

 

Harry enlisted the service in California with service number # 3766074.

 

Harry was KIA when the USS Smith was Attacked by various Japanese Torpedo Plane’s and 1 crashed on the ship on 26 Oct. 1942, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Harry is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/378.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Private Gerald R. Ashdown.

Unit/Placed in, 1^st Raider Battalion (Comp-B), 1^st Raider Regiment, United States Marine Corps.

 

Gerald is born approx. on 1923 in Ohio.

Father, Fred Ashdown.

Born in England.

Mother, Louise M. Ashdown.

Sister(s), La Verne and Betty Ashdown.

Brother(s), Alfred Ashdown.

 

Gerald enlisted the service in Ohio with service number # 418302.

 

Gerald was KIA at Anogaj Point, New Georgia, in the Fights with the Japanese on 10 July, 1943, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Good Conduct Medal, Marine Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Gerald is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

 

Thanks to, https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=422289

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Painter Third Class Theodore Samuel Arnold.

Unit/Placed in, Construction Battalion 26.

 

Theodore is born approx. on 1905.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Theodore enlisted the service in Michigan with service number # 6227670.

 

Theodore was KIA when they were unloading two ships with supplies aboard when they were attacked by kamikaze’s off Koli Point on, 7 April, 1943, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Theodore is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, 26th Naval Construction Battalion (1942-1943) [PDF, 8.5 MB]

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Carpenter’s Mate Third Class Arthur Armstrong.

Unit/Placed in, 58^th Naval Construction Battalion (SeaBee’s), United States Navy.

 

Arthur is born approx. on Feb. 8, 1916 in Alabama.

Father, Jacob (van Buren) Armstrong.

Mother, Mary W. (Frost) Armstrong.

Sister(s), Verdun L. Armstrong.

Brother(s), James C. Armstrong.

Spouse, Gladys (Duran) Armstrong.

 

Arthur enlisted the service in Alabama with service number # 6053642.

 

Arthur was wounded during a bombing raid on Aug. 22, 1943, and died of the wounds therefrom on Oct. 4, 1943, he is honored with a Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Arthur is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

 

Thanks to, https://books.google.nl/books?id=nuVjDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=%22walter+f+busby%22&source=bl&ots=GCjU4KJO_5&sig=ACfU3U37C6cZItsi740oeS3qFc8E-qS4mA&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22walter%20f%20busby%22&f=false

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Fireman First Class Francis Harry Armbruster.

Unit/Placed in, USS Strong (DD-467) Destroyer, United States Navy.

 

Francis is born approx. on 1924 in Illinois.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Francis enlisted the service in Florida with service number # 5518272.

 

Francis was KIA when the USS Strong was torpedoed and Shot by the Japanese Navy, broke in 2 and Sunk at Rice Anchorage on July 5, 1943,  he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Francis is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/110668

http://destroyerhistory.org/fletcherclass/ussstrong/

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Private Leslie J. Arends.

Unit/Placed in, 161^st Infantry Regiment, 25^th Infantry Division “Tropical Lightning”.

 

Leslie is born approx. on Oct. 11, 1906 in Hampton, Iowa.

Father, George M. Arends.

Mother, Hanna S. (Mccormick) Arends.

Sister(s), Alice M. Viola M. Vern V. and Lola I. Arends.

Brother(s), Leslie L. Ernest E. and Orval R. Arends.

 

Leslie enlisted the service in Iowa with service number # 37189562.

 

Leslie was KIA at the fight over Munda Point, New Georgia on Aug. 4, 1943, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Leslie is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

 

Thanks to, https://www.25thida.org/

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

 

His Brother https://www.ww2-pacific.com/soldaat/arends-gerald-levi/

Rank and Name, Machinist’s Mate Third Class Delbert LaVerne Applegate.

Unit/Placed in, USS McKean (DD-90) Destroyer, United States Naval Reserve.

 

Delbert is born approx. on June 29, 1919 in Ingham, Nebraska.

Father, Raymond M. Applegate.

Mother, Nancy (LaRue) Applegate.

Sister(s), Georgianna E. and Lea M. Applegate.

Brother(s), Lyle R. Olen H. and Thaine H. Applegate.

Spouse, Ramona H. Applegate.

 

Delbert enlisted the service in Oregon with service number # 6551306.

 

Delbert was KIA when the USS McKean was hit by a Torpedo from a Japanese Plane on Nov. 17, 1943, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Delbert is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Plainview Cemetery, Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA.

 

Thanks to, https://www.navsource.org/archives/10/04/04005.htm

https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/usn/APD-5.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Fire Controlman Second Class Norbert Leo Anshaw.

Unit/Placed in, USS Barton (DD-599) Destroyer, United States Navy.

 

Norbert is born approx. on no record.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Norbert enlisted the service in Michigan with service number # 3112755.

 

Norbert was KIA when the USS Barton Sunk after a hit from the Japanese Destroyer Amatsukaze in the Battle of Guadalcanal, on Nov. 13, 1942, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Norbert is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/599.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com