Categorie: Japan 1945

Rank and Name, Seaman Second Class Billie Moore Anderson.

Unit/Placed in, USS Spectacle (AM-305) Minesweeper, United States Naval Reserve.

 

Billie is born approx. on 1927 in Tennessee.

Father, Lovell M. Anderson.

Mother, Lois Anderson.

Sister(s), Mary L. Anderson.

 

Billie enlisted the service in Tennessee with service number # 7837150.

 

Billie was KIA when a “Betty” Mitsubishi G4M Kamikaze hit the USS Spectacle on May 22, 1945, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Billie is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02305.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,

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

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

Rank and Name, Staff Sergeant Norman Eugene Andersen.

Unit/Placed in, 883^rd Bomber Squadron, 500^th Bomber Group (Very Heavy).

 

Norman is born approx. on Oct. 8, 1920 in New York.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Norma enlisted the service in New York with service number # 32626535.

 

Norman ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-29 were,

1^st Lt.           Theodore B. Holmes           Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Gilbert G. Easton               Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Robert C. Pope                  Navigator

2^nd Lt.          Alvis L. Sparks                  Bombardier

2^nd Lt.          Robert A. Sebring              Engineer

Sgt.              Ralph A. Lietz                   Radio Operator

S/Sgt.           Charles L. Mohn                Central Fire Control

Corp.            Patrick J. Collins               Right Waist Gunner

Sgt.              Ellis B. Granger                 Left Waist Gunner

S/Sgt.          Norman E. Andersen         Radar Operator

Sgt.              Robert E. Fisher                Tail Gunner

Maj.             John E. Gavin                   Passenger

 

Norman was KIA when they ditched the plane in the pacific, because they run out of fuel on March 8, 1945, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Norman is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, Saratoga County, New York, USA.

 

Thanks to, http://www.500thbombgroupb29.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,

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

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

Rank and Name, Seaman Second Class Richard Warren Andersen.

Unit/Placed in, USS Lindsay (DM-32) Destroyer/Mine Layer, United States Navy.

 

Richard is born approx. on 1926 in Minnesota.

Father, Warren D. Andersen.

Mother, Glennis C. Andersen.

Brother(s), Robert D. Andersen.

 

Richard enlisted the service in Minnesota with service number # 3294853.

 

Richard was KIA when the USS Lindsay was hit by a Kamikaze plane on April 12, 1945, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Richard is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to,

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,

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

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

Rank and Name, Cook Third Class William Ameker.

Unit/Placed in, USS PGM-18(Submarine Chaser), United States Naval Reserve.

USS PGM-18

Was a PGM-9-class motor gunboat built for the United States Navy during World War II. It was built and originally commissioned as USS PC-1255, a PC-461-class submarine chaser, and was decommissioned and converted in late 1944. USS PGM-18 struck a mine off the coast of Okinawa in April 1945; 13 men lost their lives when PGM-18 sank.

 

William Ameker is born approx. on no record in New York.

Father, James Ameker.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

William enlisted the service in South Carolina with service number # 5524936.

 

William was KIA when the PGM-18 was stuck in a minefield an some went off on April 8, 1945, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal Navy, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

William is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/011255.htm

https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?132307

http://www.ww2pcsa.org/patrol-gunboat-motor.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,

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

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

Rank and Name, Seaman Second Class Jack Leonard Anders.

Unit/Placed in, USS Emmons (DMS-22) Destroyer, United States Naval Reserve.

 

Jack is born approx. on Aug. 15, 1926 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Father, George I. Anders.

Mother, Gladys B. (Richardson) Anders.

Sister(s), Madeline M. and Eva I. Anders.

Brother(s), Cleo R. and Charles F. Anders.

 

Jack enlisted the service in Michigan with service number # 3141942.

 

Jack was KIA when the USS Emmons was Sunk  (Kouri Jima) by the USS Ellyson on 7 April 1945 after suffering several hits from Kamikaze aircraft on the afternoon of 6 April 1945,  he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Jack is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Ashland Center Cemetery

Grant, Newaygo County, Michigan, USA.

 

Thanks to, http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/0922.htm

http://japanupdate.com/archive/index.php?id=3433

https://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/usn/DMS-22.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,

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

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

Rank and Name, Water Tender Third Class Joseph Frank Amorello.

Unit/Placed in, USS Halligan (DD-584) Destroyer, United States Naval Reserve.

 

Joseph is born approx. on 1925 in New Rochelle, New York.

Father, Baldassaro Amorello.

Mother, Serafina Amorello.

Born in Italy

Sister(s), Gressie Amorello.

Brother(s), Chester and Henry Amorello.

 

Joseph enlisted the service in New York with service number # 8109828.

 

Joseph died off his wounds sustained when the USS Halligan hit a mine, he was wounded and transported to the USS LMS(R) were he died on March 28, 1945, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Joseph is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd584txt.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,

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

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

Rank and Name, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Floyd Ray Ames.

Unit/Placed in, USS Franklin (CV-13) Carrier, United States Naval Reserve.

 

Floyd is born approx. on July 30, 1923 in Sheridan, Missouri.

Father, Floyd L. Ames.

 

Floyd enlisted the service in Missouri with service number # 8656589.

 

Floyd was KIA when the USS Franklin was bombed by a Japanese Air Plane on March 19, 1945, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal Navy, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Floyd is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://ussfranklin.org/

https://www.navsource.org/archives/02/13.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,

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

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

Rank and Name, Major Jack Ralph Amende Jr.

Unit/Placed in, Fighting Squadron 217 (VMF-217) Marine Corps.

 

Ralph is born approx. on 1920 in Wisconsin.

Father, F. Ralph Amende.

Mother, Elsa K. Amende.

 

enlisted the service in  with service number # .

 

Jack was KIA when on a mission to Manufacturing aircraft plants he was shot down and crashed on Feb. 17, 1945, he is honored with a Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal Marine Corps, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Jack is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://books.google.nl/books?id=s1hIAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA273&lpg=PA273&dq=buno+57858&source=bl&ots=-oPZJDtKBc&sig=ACfU3U1XX-0BScm0fkMjmENnrAS_f2GG6g&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj0_vOo2bPkAhVEDewKHQlfBmkQ6AEwAXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=buno%2057858&f=false

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/295498-vmf-217-maxs-wild-hares/

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,

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

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

 

History

VMF-217 was activated at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California on September 15, 1942.

The squadron did the majority of its training on the F4F Wildcat as there was a shortage of F4U Corsairs.

They remained there and trained until December 12, 1943 when they went to Naval Air Station North Island, only to be embarked on the USS Barnes (CVE-20) a week later for transit to the Pacific Theater.

The squadron arrived on Espiritu Santo on January 5, 1944, and soon moved to Bougainville on January 28, 1944.

Two days later the squadron began striking the bypassed Japanese garrison at Rabaul.

The flight echelon returned to Espiritu Santo on March 19, 1944 and remained until June 1, 1944 when they embarked on the USS Santee (CVE-29), USS Cetus (AK-77) and a few other ships for a voyage to Guam.

Rank and Name, Lieutenant Junior Grade Lawrence Maxon Amburgey.

Unit/Placed in, USS Bonefish (SS-223) Submarine, United States Navy.

 

Lawrence is born approx. on April 30, 1921 in Tennessee.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

Spouse, Mary Jo Amburgey.

 

Lawrence enlisted the service in Tennessee with service number # 0-282821.

 

Lawrence was KIA when the USS Bonefish was attacked an sunk by depth charges at Toyama Bay at Honshu on June 18, 1945, he is honored with a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Lawrence is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to,

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,

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

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

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Irving Wood Ameringer Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 16^th Bomber Squadron, 16^th Bomber Group (Very Heavy).

 

Irving is born approx. on July 6, 1917 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Father, Irving W. Ameringer.

Mother, Edna H. (Heimann) Ameringer.

Brother(s), Allan H. Ameringer.

Spouse, Helen J. (Hutwagner) Ameringer.

 

Irving enlisted the service in Wisconsin with service number # 2068825.

 

Irving ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-29 were,

1^st Lt.           Berry A. Milford                Airplane Commander

2^nd Lt.          James Trivette Jr.             Pilot

1^st Lt.           K. Warren Rollius              Navigator

1^st Lt.           Rex E. Werring Jr.             Bombardier

2^nd Lt.          Irving W. Ameringer          Radar Operator

Sgt.              Morton Finkelstein            Engineer

Sgt.              Robert E. Lynch                Radio Operator Mechanic

Sgt.              Clarence E. Nelson             Electrical Mechanic (CFC)/Gunner

S/Sgt.           Harol G. Schaeffer             Armored Gunner

Sgt.              Phillip G. Tripp                 Tail Gunner

 

Irving was KIA when the engines had a malfunction, the landed and the plane suddenly blew up on July, 1945, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Irving is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/16th_Bombardment_Group.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,

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

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