Categorie: Papua-New Guinea 1944

Rank and Name, Captain Alfred Q. Smith.

Unit/Placed in, 110th Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group.

 

Alfred is born approx. on 1920 in Georgia.

Father, Alfred Smith Sr.

 

Alfred enlisted the service in Georgia with service number # 0-430479.

 

Alfred was KIA on the Strafing and Bombing Mission to New Guinea, he climbed with his plane in the Clouds and was never seen again on 14 Feb. 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Alfred 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/units/usaaf/71trg/index.html

 

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Sergeant Stanley Bagdon.

Unit/Placed in, 372nd Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Group, Heavy.

 

Stanley is born approx. on 1921 in Ohio.

 

Stanley enlisted the service in Ohio with service number # 35514719.

 

Stanley‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24  were,

2^nd Lt.          Charles R. Shaffer              Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Paul D. Burson                  Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Roland E. Rising                Navigator

2^nd Lt.          Paul D. Flanagan               Bombardier

S/Sgt.           Joseph Kryak                    Engineer

Sgt.              Otto M. Smith                   Asst. Engineer

S/Sgt.           James E. Bailey                 Radio Operator

Sgt.              Richard R. Roberts            Asst. Engineer

Sgt.              Stanley Bagdon                 Top Turret Gunner

Sgt.              Robert L. Bolton                Gunner

Stanley was KIA when the plane got out of control and crashed after Take-Off in the Sea on 27 May 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://www.307bg.net/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Marcos Anthony Baggese.

Unit/Placed in, 17th Squadron, 71st Reconnaissance Group.

 

Marcos is born approx. on 9 Aug. 1917 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Father, Antony G. Baggese.

Mother, Anna E. Baggese.

Parents born in Italy.

Brother(s), Marcos A. Baggese.

 

Marcos enlisted the service in Texas with service number # 0-689185.

 

Marcos Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-25  were,

2^nd Lt.          Howard C. Wood               Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Marcos a. Baggese             Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Robert C. Hagerstrohm       Observer

Sgt.              Virgil C. Harrelson             Engineer/Gunner

SSgt.            Frank J. Brunk                 Radio Operator/Gunner

Sgt.              Robert E. Bodi                  Photographer/Gunner

Marcos was KIA when they were shot by Anti-Aircraft Fire from the Ships and crashed in the water on 8 June 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross,  Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Marcos 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/units/usaaf/71trg/17trs.html

http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/71st_Reconnaissance_Group.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Staff Sergeant William K. Baer.

Unit/Placed in, 75th Bomber Squadron, 42nd Bomber Group, Medium.

 

William is born approx. on 12 Jan. 1914 in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Father, William H. Baer.

Mother, Amy L. (Kaufield) Baer.

Brother(s), Donald H. and Gordon L. Baer.

 

William enlisted the service in Massachusetts with service number # 31140766.

 

William‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-25  were,

2^nd Lt.          Thomas O. Thompson         Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Carl G. Clemons                Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          John C. Henderson            Bombardier/Navigator

SSgt.            Allen E. Cooperider            Engineer/Gunner

SSgt.            William K. Baer                 Radio Operator/Gunner

SSgt.            Ralph J. Kirsch                 Top Turret Gunner

William was KIA when the plane was hit and the engine was on fire and they crashed on 22 Jan. 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

William 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/airfields/solomons/renard/maps/map-renard-1-45-cu.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Motor Machinist Second Class Edmond Erwin Badman.

Unit/Placed in, USS Brownson (DD-518) Destroyer, United States Naval Reserve.

 

Edmond is born approx. on 1922 in Nebraska.

Father, Herbert L. Ba(o)dam.

Mother, Leila Ba(o)dman.

Brother(s), Herbert and Glen Ba(o)dman.

 

Edmond enlisted the service in Nebraska with service number # 6486867.

 

Edmond was KIA when a Japanese Plane dropped 2 Bombs, after a big explosion the Ship sank on Dec. 27, 1944/died on, 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.

 

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

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/usn/DD-518.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Dale Lee Badgett.

Unit/Placed in, 433rd Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group.

 

Dale is born approx. on 23 May 1922 in Oklahoma.

Father, Fred L. Badgett.

Mother, Billy B. (Hurt) Badgett.

Sister(s), Leona W. Badgett.

Brother(s), Fred M. and Gerald Badgett.

 

Dale enlisted the service in Oklahoma with service number # 0-742929.

 

Dale died during a test flight, because off engine problems and crashed on 8 Feb. 1944, he is honored with a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Dale 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 Rose Hill Cemetery, Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma, USA.

 

Thanks to,  https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-38/42-66752.html

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LR3S-DX2

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Staff Sergeant Lester E. Bacon.

Unit/Placed in, 319th Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group, Heavy.

 

Lester is born approx. on 13 Feb. 1919 in Oakland, California.

Father, Arthur S. Bacon.

Mother, Clara E. (Fawcett) Bacon.

 

Lester enlisted the service in California with service number # 19052514.

 

Lester‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

1^st Lt.           Robert J. Tilden                Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Henry P. Baker                 Co Pilot

1^st Lt.           Corbett Laws                    Bombardier

2^nd Lt.          Vernon M. Moreland Jr.     Navigator

TSgt.            Keith R. Bash                    Engineer

TSgt.            John W. Twitty Jr.            Radio Operator

SSgt.            Frank W. Athey                 Gunner

SSgt.            Lester E. Bacon                 Gunner

SSgt.            Vernon M. Glogston           Gunner

SSgt.            John W. Kannappel            Gunner

Lester was KIA on a Night Bombing Mission to Hollandia, Papua last seen on Take-off and right course (Presumably weather) on 28 Feb. 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Lester 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/b-24/42-41087.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Private John H. Back.

Unit/Placed in, 128^th Infantry Regiment, 32^nd Infantry Division “Red Arrow”.

 

John is born approx. on 1917 in Union City, New Jersey.

Father, John J. Back.

Mother, Louisa C. Back.

Parents Born in Germany.

Brother(s), Ernest J. Back.

 

John enlisted the service in New Jersey with service number # 42013582.

 

John was KIA during the counter attacked on the Japanese strongpoints near Aitape, New Guinea on 12 July 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksman Ship Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

 

Thanks to, http://www.32nd-division.org/history/ww2/32ww2-1.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Name and Rank, Sergeant Sylvester F. LaBonte.

Unit/Placed in, 127th Infantry Regiment ”First Wisconsin”, 32nd Infantry Division ”Red Arrow”.

 

Sylvester was born approx. on March 15,1916 in Leelanau County, Michigan.

Father, Peter La Bonte.

Mother, Katherine (Schaub) La Bonte.

Sister, Alice La Bonte.

Brothers, Emory C. and Theodore La Bonte.

 

Sylvester entered  the service from Michigan in  no record with service number # 36156125.

 

Sylvester F. La Bonte was a Sergeant in the 127th Infantry Regiment.

 

Sylvester died non battle (accident) in Aitape New Guinea , on May 17, 1944, he is honored with a Combat Infantry Badge, Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Sylvester is buried at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Saint Marys Cemetery, Lake Leelanau, Leelanau County, Michigan, USA.

 

Thanks to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/127th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

 

 

The 32nd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the United States Army National Guard that fought primarily during World War I and World War II.

During World War II, the Division was credited with many “firsts”. It was the first United States division to deploy as an entire unit overseas and among the first of seven U.S. Army and U.S. Marine units to engage in offensive ground combat operations during 1942. The division was among the first divisions to enter the war and were still engaging Japanese soldiers after the official Japanese surrender. The 32nd logged a total of 654 days of combat during World War II, more than any other United States Army division. The unit was inactivated in 1946 after occupation duty in Japan.
Note: The adoption of the nickname and unit insignia of the “Red Arrow” piercing a bar came at the end of World War I when an officer commented that the division “shot through every line the Germans put before it.”

Name and Rank, Private John E. Rabovsky.

Unit/Placed in, 114th Engineer Combat Battalion, 32nd Infantry Division “Red Arrow”.

 

John was born approx. on 1913 Ohio in Mahoning County, Texas.

Father, John Rabovsky.

Mother, Anna (Staron) Rabovsky.

Sisters, Elizabeth and Martha Rabovsky.

Brothers, Frank and Paul Rabovsky.

 

John enlisted  the service at Ohio with service number # 35006506.

 

John E. Rabovsky  was a Private Engineer/Soldier in the 114th Engineer Combat Battalion.

 

John died of his wounds  sustained at the  Japanese bombing at Saidor on April 7, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksmanship Badge, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

John is buried at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Metro Manila,

National Capital Region, Philippines.

 

Thanks to

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

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

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

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

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

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

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

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

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

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

Website,

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

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/