Veterans of
Kwajalein
Roi-Namur & the Pacific |
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Kwajalein
& Roi-Namur Vets Remembered |
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In Memory of
Herbert H. Hice:
Hello Fellow Marine Corps Veterans Of Roi-Namur, Feb.1944 To
Dec.1944 I was In Marine Aircraft Group 31, Headquarters
Squadron. I was a Staff Sgt. On Feb. 12th,1944, I was
wounded In the air raid On Roi-Namur and sent back to Hawaii on
the same ship MAG 31 arrived on from Wallis Island, just south
of the equator, "The Jane Adams". I was In the Aiea Heights
Naval hospital for 2 months and then shipped back to my squadron
on Roi-Namur. There I stayed until December 1944. SEMPER FI
Herb Hice. |
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We just lost another U. S. Marine from MAG 31.
Tech Sgt Leo Wissel from Boise, Idaho died March 9,
2012. We bunk together on Namur until I rotated back. Met with
him in 1998 in Idaho, great man and Marine. He will be missed.
Ted Theriault,
Ted34446@tampabay.rr.com |
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SGT. Raymond E. Charlebois, 86, a long-time Attleboro,
MA
resident, passed away, Saturday October 15, 2011. He was a
proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps serving in the Pacific
Theatre of Operations during WWII, Marshall islands.
He will be missed. Ted Theriault |
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A test nuclear explosion codenamed "Baker", part of
Operation Crossroads, at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, on July
25, 1946. The 40 kiloton atomic bomb
was detonated by the U.S. at a depth of 27 meters below the ocean
surface, 3.5 miles from the atoll. The purpose of the tests was to
study the effects of nuclear
explosions on ships. 73 ships were gathered to the spot -- both
obsolete American and captured ships, including the Japanese
battleship "Nagato". (NARA) |
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Japanese Kawanishi H8K Seaplane after strafing on Kwajalein |
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Satellite View of Roi-Namur
Awarding
of the purple Heart Ceremony, Roi-Namur
Photo
provided by the late
Herbert H. Hice |
Former
Marine First Lieutenant Richard Keith Sorenson, of New
Brighton, Minnesota, was awarded this
Medal of Honor for his heroism at Kwajalein Atoll
the night of 1-2 February 1944, when he threw
himself
on an exploding Japanese grenade to save the
lives of five fellow Marines. Miraculously, although
fragments
of the grenade ripped through his thighs,
hips, right arm and right leg, he lived through the
action.
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Veteran Information - Links, News and Updates |
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I am looking for
info about
my uncle William
Dixie Morris.
William Dixie Morris was
S Sgt in the US Army 32nd Infantry and was from
Arkansas. He was KIA February 4, 1944 on Kwajalien
Island. He knocked out a few machine gun nests but
the forth one got him. He received a Silver Star
posthumously. If anyone has info would be
appreciated. Roy Morris, CBET, Director of
Biomedical Engineering, Memphis, TN 38018, USA. Email
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roy.morris@babyheart.org. |
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I am
looking for info from anyone who knew my father Horace B.
McBride.
He was
called Jack. He served in the Marshall Islands conflict but I
do not know which island. He always said he was part of the
Navy Seabees and operated a bull dozer. He told of digging
mass graves for dead soldiers. Juanette
McBride Benigno,
juanetteb@bellsouth.net |
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| Looking for Information
about John D. Flannery Cpl USMC
My uncle John D. Flannery Cpl USMC (Jack) was killed on Namur.
I never knew him but would love any information regarding him.
jtomcho@windsor-csd.org - Jack Tomcho |
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| Looking for someone
named Earl Namur
I found your site "Veterans of The Pacific" and thought I
would give this a shot! I am searching for anyone who
might have know a man who I believe served on the USS New
Mexico during WWII. I have acquired some photos and bits of a
scrapbook and journal writings from someone named Earl Namur,
born Nov. 1, 1915.. I am not a relative and have come across
these items in sort of complicated and sad way, and would love
to find someone who might have known him. If you can be of
help, I'd be grateful. Thanks for your time, Shellie
Bowman,
goofycoa@yahoo.com,
(719) 431-3715. |
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| I would like to connect
to anyone who served with Pfc. Kenneth Shepherd
On June 6, 1944, he saved 4 men
from drowning off Namur. For this Admiral Nimitz presented him
with a medal for heroism. He was a member of a gun crew in an
anti-aircraft artillery battalion and served 16 months in the
South Pacific. After WWII, he served as an rifle range
coach at Parris Island. Email >
lineskater@aol.com Posted: Feb. 26, 2008 |
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Hourglass from September 1945
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go through some of
my father's belongings at my mother's house. As a child I knew
that he had been a radio operator on Kwaj at the end of the
war. Also as a child, I had seen a few photographs of him,
which have since disappeared. While I was visiting at home, I
took a scanner and notebook computer and scanned whatever I
could get my hands on... In the papers was a copy of the Hourglass from September 1945. I found it interesting as
an artifact and priceless as a piece of my father's history
and experience. Since that time, I've done a fair amount of
web surfing, and have found the page and various references to
the Hourglass posted on this page. I thought perhaps someone
else would enjoy the opportunity to share it, particularly in
light of the content and date.
If it just so happens that anyone would have any information
at all pertaining to my father's service time on Kwajalein, I
would be most appreciative.. beyond that, I would just like to
express my heart-felt appreciation for the sacrifices of those
who have struggled there, died there and continue to serve.
God Bless...
My father was: Frank (nmn) Kremm, Radioman (PO3 I believe at
that time), USN. He continued in the service of his
country, retiring from the Navy in 1970. He passed away from
cancer in 1977.
Sincerely,
Frank J. Kremm |
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Do you recognize the man in this photo?
I am trying to locate
veterans of WWII that might have known my father, Cpl Ostell
Scarborough. Though he never talked much about the war
I have been able to piece together a minimum amount of
information about his activities during WWII.
Originally assigned to SMS-61, MAG-61, 3rd MAW from March
1944 to Feb 1945, then SMS-31, MAG31, 4th MAW from Feb 1945
till ? Most of Feb 1945 he was in the Kwajalein Army
Provisional Hospital, I don’t know the extent or type of
injury. The photo was taken sometime in early 1945.
He was a metal smith. Any information you might
provide would be sincerely appreciate. Thank you for
your service to our country.
Ostell Scarborough, Jr., oscarborough@skinnerco.com |
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| Crossroads, Air Force
Info Available
Just a short not to let you know that I have compiled a list
of almost everyone in the Air Force that was involved in
Crossroads including their name, rank, serial number and mos.
So if anyone needs any of this information on an individual
I'll be glad to help out! Also have the numbers of the
aircraft for the Air Transport Unit and where and when they
were for almost any given period of time! Jerry, email:
GGredwood816@cs.com |
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A tribute to Marine -
Lt. George Diemer Jr.
Lt. George Diemer Jr. was from
Warrensburg, Missouri, and graduated from Central Missouri State Teachers
College in 1940. His father was president of the college. He and his
twin brother (my father) organized a dance band in college for a couple of
years. He taught high school for one year and joined the Marines in the
summer of 1942. With the Marines he went to Pensacola, Miami, Norfolk, and
Paris Island. He got to the South Pacific in September 1943 and
eventually got to Roi, where he flew F4U-1 Corsairs. He drowned following
a crash on takeoff on May 26, 1944. His body was recovered a few days
later.
George W. Diemer III
emailed data to
Shermie Wiehe written by his uncle during the war.
Shermie provided George's story to other Marines of the
Roi-Namur WWII battle. Following this, WWII Navy
Radioman,
Craig Carmichael, who read George's story about his uncle
sent an email to George W. Diemer III, informing him of
witnessing his uncle's F4U-1 Corsair crash on Roi-Namur,
shortly before being swept away into the ocean current. To
read more about this story and view pictures click >
More about
Lt. George Diemer Jr. |
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I'm looking for any
information
I'm looking for any information, pictures, or
recollections anyone might have of my father, Gene Carricart.
He served on Kwajalein with 7th AAF, 392nd BS. Gene passed
away 1959 when I was two, so I know next to nothing of his
WWII service.Gene was not flight crew as far as I know, but believe he
worked on the B24, Bugs Bomby Jr. Jon Anderson, janders@ncwebsurfer.com |
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Marines, do remember
any ships we were on?
It has been 60 years plus since we were in the Pacific and the
memory gets a little foggy after all those years. I remember
leaving San Diego on the captured German luxury liner, the "Puebla".
It was converted to a troop ship and the US Army operated it.
It still had the elegant stairways from the first deck to the
lower decks. We had the pleasure of sleeping in the troop area
which was converted to rows of 5 bunks high and just barely
enough isle space for two men to pass each other if you turned
sideways. MAG 31 went to Pearl Harbor on this ship and I don't
remember if we boarded another ship, It could have been the
Typhoon heading south below the Equator on to Samoa and then
on to Wallis Island. The second ship MAG 31 left Wallis Island
for the invasion of the Marshall Islands was on the Jane
Adams. The Jane Adams anchored in the lagoon near Roi-Namur.
After The massive air raid by the Japs on February 12, 1944,
MAG 31 took the most casualties and I was one of them. The
wounded Marines and C-Bees were evacuated back to the Jane
Adams, Still anchored in the Lagoon, Which was turned into a
Hospital Ship. I don't know how many Marines and C-Bees were
wounded but it was around 150 men. It took 3 weeks to get to
the Aiea Heights Naval Hospital in Pearl Harbor. After about 2
months in the Hospital at Pearl Harbor, Most of us Marines
from MAG 31 were put on board a ship heading to the Marshall
Islands. I do not recall the name of that ship. It could have
been the Santa Marie? We disembarked at Kwajalein Island
and we were airlifted from Kwajalein to Roi-Namur, Back to MAG
31. I stayed on Roi-Namur until the end of December 1944. I
was one of the Marines that were Rotated back to Stateside.
They rotated the Marines after 1-1/2 years plus in the Pacific
theater. I boarded a ship at Roi-Namur headed for Pearl
Harbor. I do not recall the name of that ship either. After a
short stay at Pearl Harbor, We headed to San Diego on the same
Ship. Who would have thought I would be sending you this
E-Mail after 60 years plus. I should have kept better records.
I am sending this on to other interested Marines and maybe it
will spark their memories a bit. If any of you Marines
remember any ships we were on, Please feel free to tell me. Semper Fi, Herb Hice |
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| Looking for Lawrence
Good I
would appreciate any and all help you can provide and what
help anyone else may be able to help with! It has been a
dream of mine to finally meet this man or his family face to
face and thank him/them personally! When on Iwo Jima my dad
promised to name his 1st born son after Lawrence Good for
saving him! I would like to prove to him/them that HE KEPT
HIS WORD! My dad and I were both in the 4th Marine Division
14 Reg. artillery headquarters & service Co. And again many
thanks for the offer and help. Respectfully yours, William.
L. Allison. If you can help me, please email me at night_train46@yahoo.com |
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Marine Bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen
Greetings from the officers and men of Marine Bombing Squadron
Six-Thirteen! My name is
Robert Yanacek, yanacek.rj@vmb-613.com. I am a retired Marine and the
website administrator for the Marine Bombing Squadron
Six-Thirteen (VMB-613) website. I have never been to Kwajalein, but my father served there with VMB-613.
VMB-613 arrived on Kwajalein in December of 1944 and departed
in October 1945, following the surrender of the Japanese.
Their missions during the war entailed surveillance and
strikes against Jaluit, Maleolap, Wotje, Mille, Ponape
(Pohnpei), Kusaie, Ocean and Nauru. Since 1945 a number
of our members have returned to Kwajalein, most notably, a
group of about 20 during the commemoration of the 50th
anniversary of the battle for Kwajalein and Roi-Namur.
Our website covers the history of our squadron from its
forming in October of 1943, through its decommissioning in
November of 1945. Our website currently consists of over
three hundred pages of text and photographs. Many of the
photographs on the website were taken while the squadron was
based on Kwajalein. |
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| Please contact me!
I am an American citizen and long time resident of Majuro,
Marshall Islands. I have owned and operated a SCUBA and
Marine business for 24 years and have conducted extensive
research into the Marshalls campaign. I am making a list of
every USA serviceman lost in the Campaign, with a story for
each. I currently have over 700 aviators, besides losses at
sea and on the ground. Currently looking for more info on
12 FEB 1944 Japanese bombing at Roi-Namur and individual losses by
MAG-31 and Mag-22 on missions. Please contact me!! Matt
Holly PO Box 319, Majuro, MH 96960 or email me at Aquamar@ntamar.net. |
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| Searching for
contact who may have served with Sherwood "Brooksy"
Brooks, U.S. Marine Combat Aviator in VMF-111, MAG 31
1943-45
Dear veterans: My dad, Sherwood "Brooksy" Brooks
(1922-1975) was a U.S. Marine combat aviator in VMF-111,
MAG 31 1943-1945. His squadron was stationed on various
islands in the Marshall and Gilbert chains, such as
Eniwetak, Kwajalein, Makin, Majuro, Millie, Roi, etc. (I
hope I have this right...I'm going from memory, and some
of those might have been targets!). I'd be very
interested in making contact with anyone who may have
served with my dad or with other members of VMF-111. I
remember him telling me about the F4U Corsair (I'm now a
pilot myself.) and about dive-bombing mission against Jap
islands. Also, Lt. Thalin and Lt. Pimlott, who were
lost on different flights. On one occasion, his rudder was
partially shot away by Jap A.A. fire. "Whoa! Brooksy!
Your tail's gone!" one of his squadron mates said on the
radio. My dad said he made the most perfect landing
of his life after that. Must have been pretty
intense. I can hardly believe that a bunch of
20-somethings were actually given Corsairs to fly.
I'd love to communicate with anyone about my dad and his
squadron.
Sincerely, Sherwood "Duke" Brooks, agent, Newport Bay
Realty, Inc., Ocean City, MD, (410) 213-9318, (443)
365-9005 (c), NewportBayRealty@aol.com |
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Willie Cleo
Thompson
Shermie, Thank you for all of your
hard work and efforts in helping obtain information about my uncle, PFC Willie Cleo
Thompson
I really appreciate
your kindness and dedication Thank you very much, Winston
Wilson, 140 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill Estates,
Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 |
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WWII Vought F4U Corsair
VMF-111 Devil Dogs
After familiarizing themselves with the
new aircraft the squadron then proceeded to the Marshall Islands (Kwajalein Atoll) at the
end of January 1944 arriving at Roi-Namur Island February 3rd. After the bombing, the
Squadron moved to Makin in the
Gilberts where daily "milk runs" were made bombing Mille, Majuro and Wotje
Islands in the Marshalls through the spring of 1944. The "Devil Dogs" soon
commenced daily attacks on the remaining Japanese held bases in this group.
Taking on the role as a fighter-bomber squadron. Dive bombing and strafing
missions as well as other attacks that were pressed incessantly on each and
every one of the strongly defended airfields and supply bases in the area.
Before long, VMF-111 had a leading record of number of missions, tonnage of
bombs dropped and miles flown over water in the completion of these attacks.
They were the first concentrated attacks to be made in World War II on
previously held Japanese territory, and it was the beginning of a new policy
in the Pacific offensive of bypassing and neutralizing numerous strong
points. Little can be found of the squadron's history after the
campaign for the Marshalls.
| The famous
"Ole 122", a Chance Vought F4U-1 of VMF-111, "Devil Dogs", completed
100 dive-bombing mission against Japanese positions of the Marshall Islands. Ole 122
logged more than 80,000 miles and 400 flying house without having to return to base for
mechanical trouble. Note: 100 mission markers under the cockpit "Ole 122". |
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Capt. John Frank Moore Jr.,
the
pilot in
aircraft 104
Photograph provided by
Leroy Rice |
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The Commanding Officers Building On Wallis Island, south
of the equator,
headquarters' of the Squadron Marine Aircraft Group 31. This Is the
island
occupied MAG-31 until they were transported during the invasion of the
Marshall Islands in Feb. 1944. Wallis Island had a large airstrip where the
F4U-1 Corsairs did air patrol duty. |
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VMF-111s over Makin Island
Message received April 2004:
My dad,
Capt. John Frank Moore Jr.
is in the pilot in aircraft 104. William Moore,
WMoore56@aol.com. |
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VMF-111 Devil Dogs Patch
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| I am
searching for my father
who was a
WWII Marine. The two pictures of him at right are of him. I have been told that the background in the
pictures may be Wallis Island. Please contact me if you recognize him
from the days of WWII. Any help would be appreciated.
Bob Fortelny, (714) 4571945, Fortelny1@aol.com
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| Tracing my father's
PFC James Leatherbarrow travels through the South Pacific
My father
joined the Marines in 1942. After basic training
at Parris Island, he was sent to Ordinance School at Quantico, Va. (where he
and my mother were married). In April of 1943, he was shipped to Camp Elliott, Jacques Farm, Camp Pendleton and Oceanside, where he remained till early
1944, at which time he was sent to Roi-Namur of Kwajalein Atoll. From there,
he went to Saipan and then to Okinawa. My father died in 1972 and my
mother recently died. For years (since my dads death) my
family has been attempting to trace my dads travels through
the South Pacific. Unfortunately, when he was alive, he'd
never talk about it. He'd became angry when he saw some war
movies, as he claimed they glamorized the war and that they
lacked the sounds and smells. That was about the only time he
commented about the war.
Shortly after my dad died, we attempted to get his service records but were
advised by the VA, that his records were lost in a fire in St. Louis.
I recently found about 200 letters my dad had sent my mom from Quantico to
Okinawa, to wars end. According to the timeframe on these letters (most of
which are censored), I've concluded he was part of the 4th Marine Division.
His return address changed throughout the war. On a letter written on
February 21,1944, which I think originated on Kwajalein, the return address
is as follows:
PFC James Leatherbarrow,
15th Defense Bn. 90MM Group, Battery "D", C/O Fleet Post Office,
SF, CA.
I also found some old photos of my dads, at Parris Island, Oceanside, CA, Saipan and Okinawa, all apparently taken during the war.
Is there any way I can determine if in fact he was part of the 4th Marine
Division and accurately determine his travels with that Division, through
the South Pacific? If this may be of any help, his serial number was 392980.
Respectfully, the very proud son of a Marine, James Leatherbarrow Jr.,
leatherbarrow@shorefast.net |
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anyone know Ben S. or William Lovelace?
My name is Ben S. Lovelace, III. My
Grandfather was Ben S. Lovelace, Sr. from Crisp, NC and he was a US Marine
aircraft mechanic (aircraft armored) on Kwajalein during WWII. I am writing
because my grandfather passed away in 1982 without speaking of his military
service at all and I am trying to piece together a record of his service for
a family history that I am researching. I was wondering if anyone out there
knew of my grandfather or of his 1st cousin William Lovelace. I do know that
he was injured (I believe at Kwajalein) by a 500 pound bomb that fell on him
and broke his back during a loading accident. He also served on Vira Island
and Wallis Island. Any help that you can give me would be greatly
appreciated. Feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions.
Sincerely, Ben Lovelace, treslovelace1@hotmail.com, (336) 722-7911 |
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My father
joined the Marines in 1942. After Basic Training
at Parris Island, he was sent to Ordinance School at Quantico, Va. (where he
and my mother were married). In April of 43 he was shipped to Camp Elliott
,Jacques Farm, Camp Pendleton and Oceanside, where he remained till early
1944, at which time he was sent to Roi-Namur of Kwajalein Atoll. From there
he went to Saipan and then to Okinawa.
My father died in 1972 and my mother recently died. For years (since my dads
death) my family has been attempting to trace my dads travels through the
South Pacific. Unfortunately, when he was alive, he'd never talk about it.
He'd became angry when he saw some war movies, as he claimed they glamorized
the war and that they lacked the sounds and smells. That was about the only
time he commented about the war..
Shortly after my dad died, we attempted to get his service records but were
advised by the VA, that his records were lost in a fire in St. Louis.
I recently found about 200 letters my dad had sent my mom from Quantico to
Okinawa, to wars end. According to the timeframe on these letters (most of
which are censored) , I've concluded he was part of the 4th Marine Division.
His return address changed throughout the war. On a letter written on
February 21,1944, which I think originated on Kwajalein, the return address
is as follows:
PFC James Leatherbarrow,
15th Defense Bn. 90MM Group, Battery "D",
C/O Fleet Post Office, San Francisco Cal.
I also found some old photos of my dads, at Parris Island, Oceanside
California, Saipan and Okinawa, all apparently taken during the war.
Is there any way I can determine if in fact he was part of the 4th Marine
Division and accurately determine his travels with that Division, through
the South Pacific? If this may be of any help, his serial number was 392980.
Respectfully, the very proud son of a Marine, James Leatherbarrow Jr.,
jleatherbarrow@shorefast.net |
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WWII
VET Links |
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provided by
Jim Wodke |
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provided by
Jim Wodke |
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In Memory of Bob Hope
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Marines attack a blockhouse on
Roi-Namur |
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The effects of pre-invasion
bombardment on Kwajalein |
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