Life's Journeys

PELELIU 1944: WWII BATTLE FOR BLOODY NOSE RIDGE IN PICTURES

with 146 comments

146 Responses

Subscribe to comments with RSS.

1. Confucianist says : I absolutely agree with this !

   

   Confucianist

   May 29, 2008 at 9:49 pm

   Reply
2. Thanks for taking the time to share this with the rest of the world.

   

   david lebrun

   January 2, 2009 at 11:42 am

   Reply
3. Nice site. I bless you for it and God Bless your Dad. Please post my Uncle Eddie (RIP-1987) for me.

   

   Rob Amaral

   May 3, 2009 at 6:15 am

   Reply
   • Hi Rob,

     Thank you so much for letting me know about your uncle Edward. I have proudly posted his information on the site.

     Thank you,

     Valerie

     

     Valerie Pippi

     May 3, 2009 at 9:17 am

     Reply
     • I was in the same MG platoon with Martin on Pavuvu and Peleliu and,if memory serves after all these years, the same 6-man machine gun squad.It was quite a shock to me to see the pic you have posted; the face from so long ago.I came from Vallejo; we would rag at each other about the relative merits of our cities. I also was wounded on the 19th; enough to get a PH but returned to the line. My big one came on the 27th…….Semper Fidelis, GySgt Jay Lindsey USMC (Ret) 1942-45; 1948-66

       

       Jay Lindsey

       October 10, 2010 at 9:05 pm
     • Hello Mr. Lindsey! You were acquainted with my father? How do you remember him? When I was born into his life several years after his WWII years, I saw him as gentle, loving, sparkling eyes. But he never talked about the war until near his death, an excerpt of which I have posted.

       Thank you so much for joining the discussion and I hope to hear more!

       Valerie

       

       Valerie Pippi

       October 12, 2010 at 8:20 pm
4. [...]  Click here to view the album [...]

   

   POPPY: Sharing The World of The Dying Experience « Streams of consciousness

   May 31, 2009 at 6:53 pm

   Reply
   • Valerie:I’ll get back to you; gotta look some stuff up if I can find it.”Upon further review”, as they say in the NFL, we weren’t in the same squad, just the same 42-man (?) platoon on Pavuvu and Peleliu….I was 14 months ahead of Marty, having joined the Corps in Sep 42 with a year and a half overseas already. The Marines of his group had just 2 months to get ready for Peleliu after joining G-2-5. Not easy.We would have trained together on Pavuvu; never saw him on Peleliu because of our tactical situation……Semper Fi, Gunny Jay

     

     Jay Lindsey

     October 20, 2010 at 10:45 pm

     Reply
     • Have you read over his log of where he was at given times? “Marty’s Log”. I am so appreciative of your input!

       Valerie

       

       Valerie Pippi

       October 21, 2010 at 8:02 am
     • Valerie: In looking over Marty’s log again, I see that we were at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital at the same time for awhile early in 1945.I got back to San Francisco on 31 Dec 1944.I spent a couple of days at the Receiving Hospital in S.San Francisco before going across the Bay to Oak Knoll.Since I was from Vallejo, Mare Island was called for but was temporarily out of space.Oak Knoll was built on a group of low hills, not easy for walking or wheelchairs so until we became ambulatory, to get to the mess-hall or whatever,we didn’t get around much. Can’t recall seeing him there; he could have been in the ward next door and I wouldn’t necessarily have known it…….NS When we got in to SF, we were told “No liberty” What? 2 years overseas, back in the States, and no liberty on New Year’s Eve ? Bedcheck and lights out at 10 pm; we were out by 10:15. Our friendly Corpsman told us where the hole in the chain-link fence was.”Adapt, Improvise, Overcome”…I can’t find the stuff I was looking for; I’ll keep looking..My wife and I raised 5 boys in this house; 1 is back with a wife, 3 grand-kids 2 cars and a small dog and I can’t find anything.Semper Fi, Gunny Jay

       

       Jay Lindsey

       November 3, 2010 at 10:03 pm
     • Hi Jay,

       Thank you for the additional information. It is just wonderful to know of someone who seems to have followed a parallel path to my own father’s journey. I think in the section with the Bob Hope, et. al. pictures that were in the album (posted her as “Hope in the Midst of Despair”, some of those pics were taken at Oak Knoll, but I am not sure. Can you identify the celebrities with Mr. Hope? I’m too young to know the other ones.

       Valerie

       

       Valerie Pippi

       November 14, 2010 at 8:20 am
     • Valerie: After much disruption of a teen-age girl’s living arrangements, I finally found what I was looking for:a copy of 2/5′s muster roll for September 1944 and one for October 44. The first has an entry for Marty’s wounds on the 19th and further disposition; the second extends further to his transfer from 2/5. These are not narrative.A muster roll briefly lists everybody’s status in a given unit for a given time.If you think you’d like to have copies we can work something out. I’m not fond of putting my name, rank, and “hibachi number” (joke) on the internet for God and all to see but I couldn’t find a phone # or address for you in Stockton and I’m not up on scanners, so………..NS Potpurri..”Fellow Friends, Fellow Enemies” I don’t think the Marine in “Tijuana Jail” is Marty; the patch on his sleeve appears to be the patch for the 6th Marine Division, not the 1st.Under “Enemies”, the name “J.G.Dyal” would be Cpl. Joe Dyal my Section Leader. A section would be 2 squads, 3 sections to a MG platoon, each section attached to one of our rifle platoons. The other name, Wilmot Wolf was an old friend of mine in later years; I served under him 4 times in my career. He was my squad leader on Pavuvu/Peleliu so maybe Marty was in my squad after all…. I don’t know who else is in the Bob Hope pix but I don’t recall the site as being Oak Knoll; doesn’t look as I remember it but that was a long time ago………….Semper Fi, Jay

       

       Jay Lindsey

       November 15, 2010 at 2:13 pm
     • Hi Jay,

       You’ve cleared up alot of things for me! Thanks! My dad didn’t really share his album with me but he did with my brother (who died unexpectedly in 2003), I have been basically guessing where the pics took place. I always wondered if that guy in “jail” was dad or not. Looked like him but there were some subtle differences so wasn’t sure. I didn’t come along until much later after his war-time experiences.
       Wow! So you knew some of the guys in the pics. Somehow, all of this makes me feel a little closer to my dad–in Spirit.
       I can send a note to you offline from my email and we can work out sending a copy of that “2/5 muster” (what does the 2/5 mean?).

       Very sincerely,

       Valerie

       

       Valerie Pippi

       November 19, 2010 at 7:24 pm
     • I have, with Michael Beegle, written a book based on the letters home from Pfc. Patrick Walls Klein who was Fox Company 2/5. He was killed on Peleliu Sept 17. Do you know anything about him? Did you, by any chance know him?

       Since the book was published, we have received conflicting stories and are trying to sort information.

       Thank you

       

       Pat Beegle

       April 21, 2011 at 11:26 pm
     • Hello Pat,

       I currently have no information on Pfc. Patrick Walls Klein but many people have left helpful replies here to other questions. Perhaps one of my visitors will be able to help you out. I will put Patrick Klein on the “Peleliu” list.

       Thank you for contacting me,

       Valerie

       

       Valerie Pippi

       April 22, 2011 at 1:51 pm
     • Thank you for your service to our Country. There is a book by James Johnston entitled “The Long Road of War”. He was a machine gunner on Peleliu assigned to the 2d Bn, 5th Marines. Did you read the bood and did you know this Marine? As a Peleliu researcher, who has been to the island many times, I really enjoy these first hand accounts. Have you ever written your memoirs down?

       Respectfully, Eric Mailander PS, Valerie, what unit was your father in on Peleliu?

       

       Eric Mailander

       November 18, 2011 at 10:47 am
     • Hi again, Eric,

       My father was was Marino “Marty” Pippi – PFC Co. G, 2nd Battalion., 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
       Purple Heart recipient.

       Again, thanks for your input. So helpful!

       Valerie

       

       Valerie Pippi

       November 18, 2011 at 4:40 pm
5. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP THIS SITE TO HONOR OURS FATHERS

   THANKS
   GEORGE

   

   GEORGE

   June 12, 2009 at 1:28 am

   Reply
6. Hello: I have tried every possible way to find any info on the special unite I served with during the battle of Peleliu. This unit was named Combat communication Unit 43-E which consisted of approx 90 officers and men. I assignment was to accompany the 1st marines and set up a larger type of radio communications then that usually used at this time. I went ashore on Sept 16, l944 and was relieved in April of l945. To date no record of this Unit is on record with the Navy records dept. Any possible info on this unit will be greatly appreciated by me.A big thanks to all the great Marines at this battle.
   Samuel L. Lopresto
   RM2/C retired, US Navy land force

   

   Samuel Louis Lopresto

   September 13, 2009 at 7:46 pm

   Reply
7. my father(ME GENE CRUNKLETON) was with the 3rd armored amphibian tank battilion company d 1st marine division at the battle of pepeliu. he was a tank driver originally in tank d-8ibelieve that was blown up he said that hejumped into d3 and became their driver. he has said that he spent a lot of time on bloody nose ridge. he has often talked about it and still has nightmares. i had the priviledge of taking himto the last reunion of the 3rd batalion held recently in memphis.

   

   larry crunkleton

   September 19, 2009 at 4:41 pm

   Reply
   • Dear Larry,

     I am trying to locate someone who might have known my father-in-law, Joseph A. Flores, Third Armored Amphibian Battalion, First Marine Division. He received the Purple Heart. I do not know, if he was at Peleliu. I am trying to gather information for my husband and his family.
     I am greatful to your father, for his service.

     Respectfully, Rebecca Ebert-Flores

     

     Rebecca Ebert-Flores

     October 8, 2011 at 6:19 pm

     Reply
8. What a great site! My father also served with the 11th Marines at Peleliu. He passed away in 1987 and I sure wish I had tried to connect with some of the guys that he served with in I-3-11. I find it amazing that all of us children of these amazing men have been so impacted by the service in the Marines and especially the participation in the Battle of Peleliu of our fathers.

   

   Mike Baker

   October 13, 2009 at 11:51 am

   Reply
   • Hi Mike,

     Thanks so much for your comment. I would be happy to post your father’s name on the site. I would just need his name, rank, division, etc. Yes, I believe We The Children (and grandchildren ) of WWII vets made a tremendous impact on us.

     

     Valerie Pippi

     October 13, 2009 at 12:15 pm

     Reply
   • I live in Truman, MN and have been recording the stories of combat veterans in this area for the past 2 years. So far I have recorded the stories of: 1 Marine in 3/5/1; 1 Army in HQ Company 25 Inf. Div.; 1 Sea Bee in MCB-3; 1 Army in 1 Air Cav.; 1 Army in 5/60th Inf. Div.
     Locations of these Veterans: Truman, Janesville, Trimont MN. Armstrong, IA.

     If I may be able to arrange a time to meet with you, simply to have had the experience of meeting you, I will take care of all aspects with of course the exception of the time and place. If not, all I can say is; I’m glad you made it back. Honestly.

     My apologies for being so forward about a subject I’m glad to know nothing about, War, but if there’s any aspect of your story you may allow to be recorded, I trust no one else who has never experienced war to record any detail, no matter how vague, with the respect that I will.

     “After this is all over, I shall cherish and respect, more than anything else, all that which is sweet, tender, and gentle.”

     Richard Kennard
     2nd Lt./ 1st Marine Division
     Peleliu Island
     Sept. 25, 1944

     

     Clayton Russell

     June 7, 2010 at 11:05 pm

     Reply
9. Robert C. Baker
   Hometown: Madelia, Minnesota
   Born: 1923
   Corporal
   11th Marines I Co 3rd Battalion 1st Marine Div
   Served from Cape Gloucester thru Okinawa

   

   MIke Baker

   October 13, 2009 at 12:30 pm

   Reply
   • Mike,
     I think my father may have served in the same company as your father. All I know for sure is that my father was in the 1st Marine Division and I think he was in Company I. I also think his nickname was the greek.

     

     Ike Cantos

     December 26, 2010 at 11:26 am

     Reply
     • To everyone that would like more information on their father’s service records please contact the following office. You will get a record of which unit and what action each person saw. There are dates and names of the ships that they sailed on for each battle. There are also service reports filed by the unit officers.
       National Personnel Records
       Military Personnel Records
       9700 Page Ave
       St Louis, Mo 63132-5100

       

       Mike Baker

       December 27, 2010 at 9:51 am
10. My uncle also served with the Marines in the South Pacific. Combat action included Peleliu Island, Okinawa, & in the ocupation of China. (He spoke of being one of the last ones off Bloody Nose Ridge.)

    Charles Bernard Bailey
    Hometown: Hingham, Montana
    Born: 1925
    Corporal (T.W.) (Line)
    Rifle Expert & Scout Observer

    

    Grace Bailey

    February 3, 2010 at 12:36 am

    Reply
11. Great site. More people should read and understand where their freedom comes from. My uncle, USMC Cpl Patrick Crisafulli, from Massachusetts, was wounded on Peleliu on Sept. 20 1944, taken on board the USS Ormsby and died that day. He was burried at sea from the USS Ormsby. I know that he was in the 1st Marine division, HQ&S, 3rd Bat. 5th Reg. I do not know what platoon he was in. I assume that he landed on either White beach #1 or #2, I do not know what day. I would appreciate in hearing from anybody that remembered him.

    

    Frank Crisafulli

    February 5, 2010 at 9:02 am

    Reply
    • If he served in the HQ&Serv Co, 3/5 he would have landed on Orange Beach 2. A mortar barrage took out alot of those guys in that unit on the first day while they were in a Japanese tank ditch that paralleled the beach.

      -Eric

      

      Eric Mailander

      November 17, 2011 at 12:50 pm

      Reply
12. My dad, P.F.C. Warren Edwin Dalton, USMC-827-857, rifle expert, L Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, sailed out of Parry Island in the Marshalls on the USS Sea Pike, dropped anchor about 5 miles off Babelthuap, Palau Islands, for a few days waiting to go into Peleliu. According to his memoirs, they waded ashore on the night of September 15, 1944. He would stated they were pinned down for almost a week near the airstrip. He said to me that after they took the airstrip a lone Jap Zero came in for a landing and the pilot got out either not knowing the Marines had taken over the airstrip or he had a death wish but when he got out of the airplane with a pistol at least several thousand Marines opened fire on that pilot. His memoirs also stated that after leaving Peleliu to go to Ulithi Atoll, they were caught in a 135 mph typhoon in which 3 destroyer escorts were sunk, resulting in the drownings of 790 sailors, the 13th larger marine disaster since 1850. My dad would later sail on USS Sam Fuller APA-7 and see engagement in Okinawa on April 1, 1945 near Naha. In 1987, he donated his service rifle and uniform to the Admiral Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Tx. He said to me that upon their return to the US they were not allowed to have their rifle but he decided to dismantle the rifle and store it in his gunny sack. It was used on several occasions as his deer rifle but it was so inaccurate because of the all of the tracer ammo being shot being used in battle. His rifle at the museum represents probably one of the more significant items being presented on display pertaining to the Peleliu battle. He would later become a member of the Devil Dogs Marine Corp League in Victoria, Texas, a member of the local Marine Corps League serving as its Commandant during 1985 through 1990 and was a member of the First Marine Division Association since 1982 through his death in 2000. If anyone served with my dad or knew my dad through these various associations, I would appreciate if you could contact me.

    

    Warren Dalton

    March 21, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    Reply
    • Dear Warren,

      A neighbor was in L Co, 3rd platoon, 3/7, 1stMarDiv, Cape Gloucester, Pelleliu and Okinawa. His amtrac got stuck on reef and he went over the side, lost all gear and made it to beach with only his K-bar.

      He gave me the exact same story of how the jap pilot landed, calmly got out of his plane, fixed his brown flight uniform, threw his silk scarf over shoulder and stood there looking around.

      My friend said everyone opened up at once and sent this jap to his ancestors with thousands of rounds. He gave a good laugh telling the story. Other storys he shares are of sorrow of loss especially at Peleliu and Okinawa. He was wounded(2nd time) on May 9 during attack on japs main defense. Out of 45 men in 3rd platoon 16 were KIA, 13WIA that day.

      During attack they started getting shelled, 13 of them ran into cave that was booby trapped with hundreds of pounds of tnt. My friend was shot by sniper after his buddy got shot right in head while next to him. He made it to beach behind a passing tank and was evacuated to hospital ship.

      Since I was in Marines ’71-’75(no combat thank the stars) he is able to talk easily but it still hurts to remember friends lost. He is 84 and I pass along everything I find out about his unit.

      I’ll pass along your dad’s name. He may remember or not. Glad your dad made it.

      I posted photos on leatherneck.com under name A Co Legal. Most of them were KIA on Okinawa. Photos were from Pavuvu prior to peleliu.

      Best wishes,

      Phil

      

      Phil Kerrigan

      October 3, 2010 at 4:09 pm

      Reply
      • Thanks so much for your contribution, Mr. Kerrigan!

        

        Valerie Pippi

        October 3, 2010 at 7:19 pm
      • HI Phil,

        I have a platoon roster showing the list of KIA/WIA for that incident from an L Co. vet who survived it. Also have the official L-3-7 roster for Peleliu if interested.

        -Eric

        

        Eric Mailander

        November 17, 2011 at 11:53 am
13. Good Morning
    \
    I am in possession of a smilar photograph, taken in San Diego in 1943, of the 374th Platoon, USMC. My late Maternal Uncle, Stephen J.Glaud, is photographed on the photo. He was also killed on Peleliu on 15 Sept. 1944. I would love to correspond.

    Yours sincerely Jim Tye

    

    James Tye

    April 3, 2010 at 8:32 am

    Reply
14. do any of you remember a navy corpman by the name of bob kromm

    

    jim harvey

    April 25, 2010 at 11:16 pm

    Reply
    • I worked for Bob from 1984-1987. He retired from Boeing for a life of golfing with his wife though his one arm was useless from the wounds he received at Bloody Nose. He told me the story.

      He retired to Arizona and I believe he passed away last year. His sons still live here in the Seattle area and one still works for Boeing.

      It was my honor and pleasure to have known and worked with this man.

      I also thank all of you for your service.

      

      Mitchell Gill

      May 7, 2010 at 12:23 pm

      Reply
15. Searching for the father I never knew. Does anyone remember PVT Nels H. Nelson, A Company, 710th Battalion, 81st. Inv. Division? He was from Hennepin, Minn. I believe KIA 5/6/45

    

    Marlene Ray

    April 26, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Reply
    • If anybody is looking for information on relitives that served with A Company of the 710th Tank Battalion I can be a valuable resource. Action on Peleliu and Anguar. I’m the grandson of T-5 Charles Erazmus who served as the Assistant Driver of the lead tank in 1st Platoon, A Company, 710th Tank Battalion. The tank was named Flying Home. This is the same tank that Otto Hesselbarth(see above list of KIA) and others was killed in on October 18th, 1944 on Peleliu. My grandfather is still around. I have access to other family members, documents, and I have a detailed account of battle.

      Seth Erazmus

      

      Seth Erazmus

      April 29, 2010 at 8:52 am

      Reply
      • Hi Seth, thanks so much for you information. I would be happy to post whatever you might choose to share on the site. Let me know, okay?

        

        Valerie Pippi

        April 29, 2010 at 9:08 am
      • Seth,

        I am looking for information about my father. I thought he was with the 110th Tank Battalion, but I can’t seem to find anything about that unit. His name is Gabriel Monzo and he passed away in 1985. I’d love to find some information to pass to his great grandchildren. Thanks so much for your offer.

        Linda Monzo

        

        Linda Monzo

        August 16, 2010 at 8:46 am
    • I’m looking at a list of names/addresses for all the men in A Company of the 710th Tank Battalion. This information was likely published before the summer of 1944, as many of the men who were KIA on Peleliu are on this list as well.

      Nels A. Nelson
      106 North Thomas St.
      Oakland, Nebr.

      This name does not appear on the list of thos KIA in the 710th Tank Battalion booklet that was published by the Battalion shortly after the war. As I stated before, they were not in combat on 5/6/45, but more likely on a boat somewhere between New Caledonia and Leyte. They arrived in Leyte around May 17th and stayed there until the end of the war.

      Seth Erazmus

      

      Seth Erazmus

      May 14, 2010 at 2:23 pm

      Reply
16. Valerie, thanks so much for your help.

    Charles Erazmus is still around and doing well. During the battle for Anguar and Peleliu he served as the assistant drive on “Flying Home” until that tank was destroyed on October 18th 1944 by a Japanese mine. The tank was dispatched to go on “milk-run” to assist Marines with a Japanese bunker that had recently been reoccupied by Japanese soldiers. Just before the lone tank was dispatched, Charles Erazmus was pulled out of his Assistant Drivers position and George Lopes (New Bedford, MA) was substitued in his place. This was because Charles was one of the only other guys in the unit that was able to drive the tanks and was not sick with dissentary. 1st Lt. Gilbert Lindloff was the commander that made this desision and he was also the tank’s commander. John Prehm of Ames Iowa took Lindloff’s position as tanks commander in the turret of the tank. Just as they left camp, and Marine officer named Henry Will Jones of GA hopped on back of the tank to act as a guide. Shortly after leaving, the tank struck a mine which ripped out the bottom of the tank, and killed 5 of the 6 men on board. John Prehm was wounded but survived. George Lopes (Assistant Driver), Otto Hesselbarth (driver), Howard Dahms (Gunner), Michael Valentino (Loader), and Henry Will Jones (Marine Guide) were all KIA.
    More info on this incident can be found here:
    http://www.pacificwrecks.com/tank/sherman/peleliu.html

    A video of them can be seen of this unit in action on October 7th, 1944 can be found here:
    

    I have lots more books, paperwork, pictures, and access to other family members and vets. I’m always interested in other accounts, and historic materials.

    Seth Erazmus

    

    Seth Erazmus

    April 29, 2010 at 9:37 am

    Reply
    • My brother, Lt. John C. Gravitt, 1st Division, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, was killed on Peleliu and for his actions (I believe about Sept. 17th) received the Navy Cross. After the war, my mother received letters from some of the men serving with him who said John had saved their life. I would like to hear from these men and be able to learn something more of my brother’s sacrifice that day.
      I want to honor him and his friends in some way.
      Thank you. Joanna Gravitt Yeager

      

      Joanna

      March 2, 2011 at 8:44 pm

      Reply
      • Hi Joanna,

        I’ve read the name and have the official 3/7 roster and action reports for Peleliu that can give you details. Let me know if you want a copy.

        -Eric Mailander

        

        Eric Mailander

        November 17, 2011 at 12:53 pm
17. My uncle, Sgt.John Jay Paul, Co.”B”. 1st BN, 1stDiv.
    was wounded on Peleiu, by mortar fire. He never spoke of his combat experience, only some of the crazy antics that he or some of his buddies got into. Several years after the war, he was hospitalized at the VA hospital in Ct. The doctor asked my Aunt if she was familar with my uncle’s service record, she was not. The doctor then described some of the combat situations my uncle was involved in. I would very much like to hear from any survivors of my uncle’s unit.

    

    George H. Edwards

    May 3, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    Reply
    • Hi Mr Edwards,
      My father was in the 3rd Battalion 11th Marines 1st Marine Div from Cape Gloucester thru China. Was your uncle in the 1st Battalion 11 Marines?

      

      Michael Baker

      May 3, 2010 at 3:02 pm

      Reply
      • Mr. Baker:
        My uncle, pfc Joseph E. Schell, was in the battle of Peleliu, went on to Okinawa, and was KIA on 24 April 1945 at the age of 20. He was in the 3rd Batallion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He landed at Brown Beach, I believe from the USS Magoffin APA-199. I would like you to list him on your site, and would welcome any information about him and his buddies. God Bless the brave men and women who died for our freedom.

        

        Larry Mitchell

        May 17, 2011 at 8:18 pm
      • Thank you, Larry. I will post his name on the site.

        

        Valerie Pippi

        May 18, 2011 at 1:08 pm
18. It’s Memorial Day and I just found your website. My father, Robert J. Parks (Bob), served as a Marine from 12/43 to his discharge 2/46. He arrived at Guadalcanal on 6/13/44 and was assigned to the 8th Division, 155mm Gun Battalion III, Corps Artillery Phib Corp (in Nov. ’44 this designation was changed to 8th 155mm Gun Bn., FMF, Pacific). He spent 6 months on Guadalcanal. After that, he and his unit were deployed to Palau Islands/Peleliu, arriving 12/31/44. In March 1945 he deployed to Okinawa and was part of the invasion force. That deployment lasted until October 26, 1945, when he shipped back to the U.S. on the USS Adair.
    He passed away in 1997 at the age of 81, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. He was still a mighty proud man, who even in his 70′s could still do a one arm push up. One a Marine, always a Marine.
    You have my permission to post this to your website.
    -Jan

    

    Jan

    May 31, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    Reply
19. This past summer I began to try to find information about my paternal uncle, Alfred “Dick” Perry. He served in Peleliu and Okinawa with the 11th Marines, 1st Battalion, B Battery, and then on Okinawa with C Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. He was killed in action on June 10, 1945. He was 18. I have been trying to find out which platoon he was in at Peleliu. I know he was the gunner in a 60mm mortar squad, at least on Peleliu and possibly for the first few weeks he was on Okinawa. If anyone can help me find this information or tell me where to look- I would be deeply grateful.
    This website is amazing and I appreciate everything written within.

    

    Angela

    October 19, 2010 at 6:00 pm

    Reply
    • Thank you for your input, Angela. I hope you will find help through these pages and be sure to continue to read the Comments section occasionally because visitors leave some great info and interactive discussions. Good luck!

      Valerie

      

      Valerie Pippi

      October 19, 2010 at 6:22 pm

      Reply
      • Valerie, Will you please add my uncle, Alfred “Dick” Perry to your Peleliu veterans page? He served on Peleliu and then Okinawa where he was killed in action on June 10, 1945. He was in B Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines for most of his career before being transferred to C Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines on Okinawa. Thank you and may God bless the men who gave their lives for their country. Angela

        

        Angela

        May 28, 2011 at 8:49 pm
      • Oh my goodness! I thought i had posted it when you last wrote. Apologies. I will absolutely add him to the list right now. Thank you!

        Valerie

        

        Valerie Pippi

        May 30, 2011 at 10:03 am
      • Hi Angela,

        Just wanted to drop a line to let you know I have a new comment on the Peleliu site from someone who apparently would be a 2nd cousin of yours? His message about your uncle Perry is on the site but here it is:

        “PFC Alfred Richard Perry is a Brother of my GrandMother Ruth M. “Perry” Douglass. George Perry another Brother was also on Okinawa when Alfred “Dick”, was killed. George spent 6 hours looking for Dicks temporary grave to take pictures to send back to there Mother. I may have thoughs pictures. Dick was to be put in for The Medal of Honor,but, there was only 1 man left from his 5 man patrol that was sent out to draw enemy fire, and he only survived for 30min after returning to his lines, which left no witnesses to the actions of my Greate Uncle Dick.”

        “Charles Douglass IV August 8, 2011 at 4:46 pm ”

        Enjoy today,
        Valerie

        

        Valerie Pippi

        August 8, 2011 at 5:12 pm
      • PFC Alfred Richard Perry is a Brother of my GrandMother Ruth M. “Perry” Douglass. George Perry another Brother was also on Okinawa when Alfred “Dick”, was killed. George spent 6 hours looking for Dicks temporary grave to take pictures to send back to there Mother. I may have thoughs pictures. Dick was to be put in for The Medal of Honor,but, there was only 1 man left from his 5 man patrol that was sent out to draw enemy fire, and he only survived for 30min after returning to his lines, which left no witnesses to the actions of my Greate Uncle Dick.

        Charles Douglass IV

        

        Charles Douglass IV

        August 8, 2011 at 4:46 pm
      • Thank you Charles. I also have a contributor on Alfred Perry from a niece, Angela. You can see her information in the Comments section here.

        Enjoy today,

        Valerie

        

        Valerie Pippi

        August 8, 2011 at 5:14 pm
20. Thank you for this website. I just found out today that my Grandfather was in both the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa, and I’ve been researching to find out more because he rarely speaks of his time there. I thought that if I knew more, it may help open up some more dialogue between us. You may add him to your list. Julius Ray Woods, 1st Division Marine, Private. He just turned 85 year in September.

    

    Michelle

    November 4, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    Reply
    • Hi Michele,

      I have posted your grandfather’s name on the list. If you can tell us more about him, please feel free to leave more comments.

      Valerie

      

      Valerie Pippi

      November 14, 2010 at 8:11 am

      Reply
21. I would like information on my father, Charles E. Smith. He was in 1/7 and fought at Guadacanal, Bougainville, and Pelieu. He was in a machine gun squad. Joined the Marines a few weeks before Pearl Harbor. He had the Bronze Star and maybe the silver star. He never talked about the war until I was a Marine and served in Viet Nam.

    

    Jesse E. Smith

    November 13, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    Reply
22. Great way to honor your father and the Peleliu veterans. My father served in the 12th Defense Battalion, and was on Peleliu…twice. D+2 (Sep 17) through Sep 26, then returned to shore Nov 10. He did not get into details of his experience there, and we cannot figure out why he was flown from the island to Manus Island. His medical records did not reveal any kind of wound or “battle fatigue” as they called it back then. It is quite the mystery for me and my family. I included a link to the online version of my father’s scrapbook; more items and photos than text. It pretty much lays out his timeline in the war and where he was. The Peleliu scrapbook sub-album contains some of the same pictures you posted from your father’s. As you stated, they were taken by a war photographer; ours were simply contained in an envelope that says “Palau”. Great job in having your father speak of his experiences before it was too late. My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and dementia in 2003 and was never quite the same. We attempted a “veteran’s project” interview, but he was just not able to give the answers we knew were in there…I always think if I had only tried 5 years earlier what might have become of his opening up. He passed away Jan 3, 2009 and I miss him every day. If you think it would be of interest to others, feel free to post the link to this “digitized” version of our scrapbook.

    

    Larry Weathersby

    December 6, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    Reply
    • Larry,

      I’ve spoken with several vets of the 12th Defense Bn who had served on Peleliu. Question: do you have the entire muster roll for that outfit or only the pages that you featured on your website? Today on Peleliu is a concrete base for a 40mm gun that was set-up on the beach by members of the 12th Defense Bn. Although the gun is long gone the concrete platform is still intact with a name etched on it w/date 9/15/44. The name is “JJ San Tor…”–cannot make out the rest but the muster roll can help.

      Please let me know and I thank you! Eric Mailander

      

      Eric Mailander

      November 17, 2011 at 12:57 pm

      Reply
      • Hi Eric,

        Sorry for my slow response here; I’ve been covering so many news stories lately.

        Everything I have to date is posted on my Peleliu website so if you have pertinent documents/photos to share with us, I would be very happy to receive and post them.

        Thank you so much for your input!

        Valerie

        

        Valerie Pippi

        November 18, 2011 at 7:39 am
      • Eric,

        Unfortunately, since the muster rolls are fairly cumbersome, I only copied the “Summary” page, the page with my father’s name, and footnotes for a couple of months around the Peleliu campaign. I did copy all of the 12thAAA unit dairies for the months that had activity. Both of what I copied from the archives can be found here, although I don’t think they will contain the name you are looking for :
        http://www.buzzardsroost.us/gallery3/index.php/DadW/USMC/12thAAA

        I also have a copy of the “Condition Red Marine Defense Battalions in WWII” but the 12th is not detailed very much in it. If you have any ideas as to why my father was flown off the island Sep 26 (during the heat of the battle), I would be deeply indebted to you. It strikes me as odd that nothing is noted in the muster rolls (that I can tell) and as far as I know he was not considered rear echelon, although that may well be the case. But, regardless…if he was rear echelon, I think it would have been noted in the muster roll that he went to Manus Island?

        

        Larry Weathersby

        November 18, 2011 at 8:35 am
23. thank you for your website..I would like to add my brother to your list of Heros that fought in the Battle of Peleliu. His name is Raymond Wesley Bunce,Pvt.1st Class,81st Wild cat Division.
    Do you know of any books that cover the 81st Division?
    Thanks again
    Ada Sweet

    

    Ada Sweet

    December 9, 2010 at 11:49 am

    Reply
24. I forgot to mention that PVT Raymond Bunce Is from Herkimer New York

    

    Ada Sweet

    December 9, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    Reply
25. I first learned about my Great Uncle, PFC Joe Lloyd South after landing on Palau in 1998 while returning from temporary duty in Australia. I relayed this experience to my father and it was at that time I learned of my uncle and his death on Peleliu, not far from Palau. Since then both my father and I have been trying to learn as much about my Uncle Joe’s time in the Marine Corps, possible buddies and the battles in which he fought. He would have been considered “Old Breed” since he began his war in Guadalcanal. Sites like this one are a great resource in keeping this history alive. God Bless!!!!!

    

    William Eagar

    December 15, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    Reply
26. My father Sam Cantos, I think he was known as the “Greek” being born in Greece, he enlisted on Dec. 8 1941 with all on his friends, was in the 1st Marine Division I think “I” Company and I don’t know anything else about his unit. I do know that he was wounded in action by friendly fire when he and a buddy got between the enemy and a flame thrower.
    My father like all of the rest never spoke about his combat experences although I asked many times.
    My father grew up in the getto of the lower east side of Manhattan and he knew what hardship was. He had many life long friends and he treated my mother my sisters and I with love and kindness.
    I’m giving all of this background because I just saw the HBO Series “The Pacific” and it is very upsetting to imagine what this great guy was keeping inside. I remember as a kid he would zone out and I asked him what’s wrong and he would say I’m thinking.
    If anyone can give me more information about his unit and the action that they were in I would greatly appreciate it.

    

    Ike Cantos

    December 26, 2010 at 10:58 am

    Reply
27. I didn’t see this mentioned so far -if you want to read more about Peleliu (and Okinawa) you should read “With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa” by Eugene B. Sledge. It’s a phenomenal look at the two battles, and was much of the basis for the HBO special.

    

    Scott

    January 20, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Reply
28. My father, Glenn Lewis Wood, born 24 Dec 1925 Tacoma Wa-died 9 Apr 1996, was with the 1st Marines, K-3-5, 50cal water-cooled machine gun,18 years old, and was on the 3rd day beachhead. He fought there, Okinawa beachhead Easter Sunday, then the Chinese Occupation. He also was on board the hospital ship HOPE while recovering from malaria. He never talked about the war, ever…until I happened to read With the Old Breed…I called him, this was in Feb 1992 while I was attending Air War College, and told him about the book…I only wish I would have recorded what he said. He talked for about about 90 minutes concerning Peleliu, and never talked about it again. I even called EB Sledge and told him about how my dad responded to his book…EB said it was not the first time he had heard of a testimony of this nature, and another reward to him that he undertook the painful process to tell the story of Peleliu and Okinawa. Of course you may add my dad to your list of heroes.

    

    Gary Wood

    January 29, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    Reply
    • Wow! Your father and mine shared the same exact birthday: 12/24/1925. Thanks so much for posting. I will add your father to the list.

      

      Valerie Pippi

      January 29, 2011 at 2:31 pm

      Reply
    • my name is charles stout my uncle was cecil c. stout from swifton arkansas,he was with ist marines k-3-5 an he was listed as k.i.a. 15 may 1945 he died in the south pacific somewhere, laid to rest in guam till october 17 1948,this was the same day my father landed in Okinawa as R.A. army,an was picked to reicon military stockade A.P.O. 331 as a M.P. during occupation Japan,doing research, i found my Uncle Cecil Stout in the book (The Battle of Okinawa)author Bill Sloan Eugen Sledge recorded Cecil K.I.A. at the battle of Okinawa.dad (Noel Stout 557th M.P.)occupation Japan guarded the japanese prisoners from WW11,dad was in Okinawa at the beginning of the Korean conflict.DAD LANDED IN OKINAWA THE SAME DAY HIS BROTHER CORPORAL CECIL C. STOUT’S 1ST. MARINE K3 5 BODY WAS SENT HOME TO BE PUT TO REST.Iam looking for any info on 1st. marines K-3-5,,Semper Fe

      

      charles w. stout

      April 18, 2011 at 6:01 am

      Reply
29. My grandfather Pltn Sgt W C “Bill” McKibben of Bruce, Mississippi was also in this battle on bloody nose ridge and recieved the purple heart as well. He never spoke of the war so most of my knowledge is gained from Cpl Andrew Crosley of Harisburg PA who was with him if I understood correctly they were 1/1/1 A fleet marine force. I remmebre as a child finding an old trunk filled with “v=mail” letter between my grandfather and grandmother I wish I still had those letters today.

    

    Christi MckIbben Holder

    January 30, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    Reply
    • Thank you for sharing this, Christi. I have posted his name above. If you find out more about the fleet marine force activities, I’d love to hear from ya!

      

      Valerie Pippi

      January 31, 2011 at 8:11 am

      Reply
    • my grandfather Pltn Sgt James D. Burkhalter of Towns,Ga. was 1/1/1 A fleet Tank commander. Inlisted ’39 was on Guadalcanal,Cape Gloucester,New Britain,an unknown mission(dispatched with an army unit somewhere ?),and Peleliu where he was wounded a second time,(first on Guadel) on 19sept44 after single handedly taking out numerous japanese tank positions,after most of his men were wiped out. He died in 1975 and i never got a chance to talk to him about the war,i never really knew he was in it.he never wore shorts because of his shrapnel scars.My dad tells me he never talked to him about the war. He was a Bronze Star Recipient,and The Purple Heart, with The Presidential “V” for Valor. I salute him everyday “Semper Fi”

      

      Danny Burkhalter

      August 19, 2011 at 11:26 pm

      Reply
    • Hi Christi,

      Yes, your grandfather was in A Company, First Marines on Peleliu where he served as a platoon sergeant. I have an A Company muster roll that lists his name. Oddly enough, he is not listed as WIA and lasted the entire battle. Not many survived without being killed or wounded. A Company suffered 50% casualties during their 6 day ordeal and the rifle companies had a 60% casualty rate. Only 42 were listed as not killed or wounded in the company. Keep in mind those figures are probably much worse as many suffered heat exhaustion. I also have the official action report that will describe what your grandfather went through. I also have a publication about A Co. on Peleliu. Drop me a note at: whitesharkseeker@sbcglobal.net if you would like copies.

      -Eric Mailander

      

      Eric Mailander

      January 20, 2012 at 11:29 pm

      Reply
      • Hi Eric, I’m wondering if your list ( for A-1-1 ?) would include troops pulled from other companies to the front? My uncle, Pfc. Alfred Richard Perry, was in B-1-11 until May, then sent to A Company, where he was KIA on June 10. I have no idea what really happened to him- he was MIA for a week or more and then KIA after that. He was an artillery man who was sent to the front.
        Thanks so much for your dedication to this very worthy effort.
        Angela Perry Heitmann

        

        Angela

        January 21, 2012 at 4:34 pm
      • Hi Angela,

        Yes, the battalion rosters often have a list of attached personnel from other outfits to beef-up the ranks. It wasn’t uncommon for some of the support units to get divided up and sent to the various front line units. It sounds like your uncle was KIA during the Okinawa campaign and I only have the rosters for Peleliu so can’t be of much help. You can write to NARA and request the muster rolls for Okinawa.

        Good luck, Eric

        

        Eric Mailander

        January 21, 2012 at 7:47 pm
    • Hi Christi,

      I visited Peleliu with a former squad leader (sergeant) who was in A-1-1 during the battle. His name is Fred Miller and he was hit on the beach during the battle. This was during the 50th anniversary reunion to the island in 1994. He wanted to go back to the beach where he almost lost his life and see the ridges where most of his company was lost. Anyway, he stirred my interest in A Co, First Marines and I have spent years piecing together what actually happened to that unit. It was the one of the hardest hit companies on Peleliu. It sounds like your grandfather was in the machine gun platoon of that outfit? Do you know if Mr Crosley is still alive? Thanks for the note and I’ll copy my archival documents and muster roll (with casualty figures) pertinent to A Co for you. I also have many pictures of Peleliu island as it appears today.

      -Eric

      

      Eric Mailander

      January 21, 2012 at 12:19 pm

      Reply
30. My father Ralph F Estey was there ,Company K. I just wanted to say thank you for all the brave men who served. There is no one like all of you Marines

    

    David Estey

    February 14, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    Reply
    • David, I am doing research on K Co and have interviewed many former Marines who served with your father. Many, sadly, are now deceased. I’m currently working on a story about K-3-1 on Peleliu and have the official muster roll but having a hard time placing names in specific platoons. Did your father happend to have a platoon roster?

      Thanks, Eric Mailander

      

      Eric Mailander

      November 30, 2011 at 7:56 pm

      Reply
31. My brother Pfc Alfred Richard Perry was on Pavuvu, Pelelui, and Okinawa. He was killed on June 10th 1945 on Hill 69 on Okinawa. I would love to hear from any one who served with him or knew of him.

    

    Emma Benko

    March 2, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Reply
32. Dear Valerie,

    The neighbor I wrote about asked if you can add the name of a fellow Marine that took a direct hit from a jap mortor round at Peleliu. He was in the foxhole right next to him.

    He wanted to let the family know but lost touch after returning from the war.

    His friend’s name was Pvt. Frank Mezzacapa from New York City. My friend will be comforted knowing that his buddy will be remembered.

    Great site. You’re fantastic for doing this.

    Best,

    Phil

    

    Phil Kerrigan

    March 29, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    Reply
    • Hi Phil,

      I would be happy to post the name of the friend of your neighbor. Would it be possible see if he remembers his rank and hometown? Pvt. Frank Mezzacapa was KIA, correct?
      Would your neighbor also like to be listed? I see from an earlier post that he “was in L Co, 3rd platoon, 3/7, 1stMarDiv,”.

      Much appreciation for for all your contributions!

      Valerie

      

      Valerie Pippi

      March 30, 2011 at 7:01 am

      Reply
      • Valerie,

        I got the following info from :
        http://brothersinbattle.net/html/k-m.html

        + MEZZACAPA, Frank T., Pvt. L Co, 3/7, 1st Marine Division. From New York City. During the Peleliu battle Frank was in a foxhole and took a direct hit from the shelling they were getting. His death was instant.

        Also, if you could add my Dad to your list of heros:

        Sgt. Bill Weathersby, Jr.
        1st MarDiv
        12th Defense Battalion
        Battery “C”

        Born Aug 1924. Died at his home in Terry, MS 1/3/09. He was a Corp. in WWII, but was promoted to Sgt. in 1951. Was on Peleliu D+2. His USMC scrapbook can be found here:
        http://www.buzzardsroost.us/gallery2/v/DadW/USMC/

        Your page is a great tribute to these men.
        All the best,
        Larry

        

        Larry Weathersby

        March 30, 2011 at 12:05 pm
      • Oh, thank you so much for the links and info! I will add the info on these heros as soon as I can. I’ll post your links on my sidebar as well.

        Much appreciation!

        Valerie

        

        Valerie Pippi

        March 30, 2011 at 3:17 pm
    • Hi Phil,

      I know a L Co, 7th Marines vet who was very good friend’s w/Frank Mezzacapa and was next to him when he was hit. I have alot of details about the action that took his life. Drop me a note and I can send you the official reports.

      -Eric

      

      Eric Mailander

      January 20, 2012 at 10:50 am

      Reply
33. Submitted on 2011/04/16 at 2:47 pm
    My dad and his best friend were on Peleliu. Dad was Oscar Edwin Reece and friend Thomas Foster McCarthy. They were with 8th 155 mm gun battalion fmf. His name on the list would be great. Thanks

    

    Kathi Hall

    April 17, 2011 at 10:10 am

    Reply
34. Valerie,

    Regarding your questions about Bob Hope’s performers, my mother wrote, “Patty Thomas was the dancer and looks very much like the lady in photo…And USO performance was Aug. 7, 1944.”

    Also, please note that my Dad’s scrapbook website soon will be changing…the correct is now :

    http://www.buzzardsroost.us/gallery3/index.php/DadW/USMC

    Thanks for allowing us to honor our heroes on your blog.

    

    Larry Weathersby

    April 19, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Reply
    • Thank you, Larry. I’ll note that on the Bob Hope page. I’m looking forward to viewing your site in detail and I have updated the link to it here on my site.

      Valerie

      

      Valerie Pippi

      April 20, 2011 at 7:15 pm

      Reply
35. My dad, Glen E. Cardiff, served in the Battle of Peleliu, Marines, 1st Division. He is now 88 years old and resides in Ohio. Doesn’t talk much about the war but I wish he would. He still wears his Marine Corps cap when he goes out and during parades. About the only thing he said about Peleliu was that they didn’t have much water and everything was just white limestone. He said the locals would come and do laundry for them for just some soap bars, and that when he came home to San Diego, they had to cross the Pacific from Hawaii in an LVT with only one engine working. He wasn’t very happy with the USO either because they wanted him to pay 10 cents for a cup of coffee which he didn’t have. He was with communications on Peleliu. Anyone out there know him?

    

    sandra k. cardiff

    May 15, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Reply
36. Mr Mitchell,
    I have my father’s service records. The Third Battalion, 11th Marines departed Pavuvu on Feb 25th, 1945 aboard LST 564 and sailed on the 26th arriving Okinawa Shima April 1, 1945. The SS Mormackport was the transport from Peleliu back to Pavuvu on Oct 22, 1944.
    Mike

    

    MIke Baker

    May 18, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    Reply
    • Thank you so much Mr. Baker for your reply. I also have records for my uncle and he left Pavuvu on Feb. 27th, went to Guadalcanal, Banika, Ulithi and finally arrived Okinawa on April 1st, same time as your father. Did your father’s ship take the same route? Obviously there were lots of ships hauling lots of troops, so just curious how this was all coordinated. Thanks again for the response. Let’s hope we can all find more information on our loved ones.

      Larry

      

      Larry Mitchell

      May 28, 2011 at 1:44 pm

      Reply
37. How do I leave information about my uncle who was KIA on Peleliu, September 26, 1944.

    

    Doug Stufflebam, Springfield, MO

    July 16, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    Reply
    • HI Doug,

      You can just post his name, rank, and any other details you would like to add right here in the Comments section. I will then add it to the list.

      Valerie

      

      Valerie Pippi

      July 17, 2011 at 6:44 am

      Reply
    • Doug,

      I can help. What unit was your uncle in? Any detail will be helpful as I have all the official Peleliu documents, action reports and casualty lists.

      Thanks, Eric

      

      Eric Mailander

      November 17, 2011 at 12:07 pm

      Reply
38. Private First Class Allen W. Totherow
    81st Infantry “Wildcat” Division
    Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge awarded for mission at Bloody Nose Ridge

    

    Sherri Kiefner

    August 6, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Reply
    • Sherri…you’ve done your homework. Grandpa was the largest guy in the platoon and was was blessed with a twin tank flame thrower straped to his back. The platoon including Marines became pinned down at the mouth of a cave on the ridge. Grandpa said screw this shit and stood up, turned on the flame thrower and walked straight into the mouth of the cave. Adam is now the keeper of the Bronze Star.

      Proud as hell: Allen W. Totherow Jr.

      

      Allen W. Totherow Jr

      November 15, 2011 at 4:55 pm

      Reply
39. Anyone ever know a fella named, Johnny Stilwell? 1st BN . 1st marines. Was wounded on September 19th then killed on September 23. He won a Silver Star for saving his Platoon Commander’s life. Johnny was my Grandfather’s best friend.

    

    michael bronco

    August 16, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Reply
    • What company was Johnny Stilwell in? I have the official action reports for the 1st Bn and roster and may be able to help.

      -Eric

      

      Eric Mailander

      November 17, 2011 at 12:09 pm

      Reply
40. Hello all- My father was also involved in the battle of Peleliu along with Guadalcanal and Cape Glouster. He was assigned to the Weapons Company, First Marines, First Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force as a rifleman. He served under Captain Everett Parker Pope. If anyone has any records of the period I would be interested. It seems that detailed records were kept on all officers but not so for enlisted. Thanks much- Dave Ward

    

    David Ward

    September 12, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    Reply
    • I guess it would help if i Told everyone his name- John Otto Ward from Philadelphia.

      Dave

      

      David Ward

      September 12, 2011 at 5:17 pm

      Reply
      • Hi Dave,

        Thanks for the information. I have posted his name on my list. Let me know if you have more to add.

        Enjoy today,

        Valerie

        

        Valerie Pippi

        September 12, 2011 at 6:36 pm
    • Dave,

      I have a long-lost diary of C Co’s first sgt for Peleliu. Written during the battle and Pope’s son just had it published. Also have the official 1/1 Unit roster and action report. Did your father survive the battle without getting hit?

      -Eric

      

      Eric Mailander

      November 23, 2011 at 5:28 pm

      Reply
41. For my now deceased dad, Glenn L. Wood, K35, I find it so sad that so many of us, children and relatives, now strive to find out information about the warriors of a bygone era, that so few remain to fill in the missing parts. Yet, my father like so many of his fellow Marines would NEVER talk about his WWII combat experiences in the South Pacific at Peleliu and Okinowa. The now so apparent void is cleary revealing itself. Except for what EB Sledge courageously wrote in his book, With the Old Breed, we would have lost any interest or knowledge of this heroic segment of WWII. Thank you EB Sledge…thank you. I do remember one of the things my father said to me when I was quite young…”after Peleliu you could always recognize a seasoned Marine…he made no friends. It was too painful to do so”.

    

    Gary B Wood

    September 12, 2011 at 8:24 pm

    Reply
42. Well said, Gary. Like so many children of WWII Marines that served in the Pacific theater, my father, Robert J. Parks, NEVER spoke of his experience. I once asked him what the scars on the back of his neck were and he replied “shrapnel” and that was the end of that discussion. He passed in 1997, but I have his K-Bar knife and his dress Marine uniform, belt, hat and ribbons and expert rifleman pin. I also have his Platoon group picture from boot camp in San Diego from 1944 (he was 27 when he enlisted). I wish I knew all the names of the men in the picture. The names of the platoon leaders was PFC. J.J. Coopep, Corp. R.P. Trook and PFC. R.S. Stickle. My Dad served as part of the 155mm gun artillery Batallion III, Corps Arty. III Phib Cor (later changed to 8th 155mm Gun Bn, FMF, Pacific. He arrived on Guadalcanal 6/13/44 and was there until 3/5/45 when he was shipped to Okinawa and was part of the invasion and occupation of Iwo Jima as well as Peleliu. A moment I will always remember is when at the age of 55 he could still get on the ground and do 15 one arm pushups! Once a Marine, always a Marine!–Jan

    

    Jan King

    September 13, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    Reply
43. my dad who passed in 2006 (13 days short of 80) was 18 years and 3 months when he was wounded at Peleliu and 19 and several months when he was wounded at Okinawa..He was too young for Guadalcanal and New Britian, however was in the 1st Marine Division afetr rehabbing and was sent to Tientsin China as occupational troops to repatraite Japanese troops. He was discharged from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1946..He spoke of Okinawa and we attended all the survivor reunions on Long Island right up until the 60th (2005)..He never hardly spoke of Peleliu until his death bed and now after reading much about it i understand why..At the 60th reunion i asked one of his fellow Marines what Peleliu was like and he looked at my dad and said “Bart that place was hell”. The entire table fell silent and the subject was dropped. I’m 62 now and have come to understand what The Great Generation means now..I told my dad–heh you were a hero and he said rather firmly. “i was just another Gyrene doing my duty” that sort of says it all…God bless all you gentlemen who scarificed so much at all these battles as some of us are eternally grateful..

    

    Donald Douglas

    September 14, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    Reply
    • Hi Donald,

      I would like to post your father’s name and info on my list. Do you know what his rank was on Peleliu? Was he in the 1st Marine Div on Peleliu?

      Thanks for sharing your story with us.!

      Valerie

      

      Valerie Pippi

      September 15, 2011 at 9:22 am

      Reply
44. Am looking to find anyone who has any information on my great uncle, Cpl Doyle M. Smith who was in “L” Company 3rd Bat,1st Div, 5th Marine Reinforced, who was killed in action on 29 Sept 1944. He was from Tennessee and received a Purple Heart. Please email me at P29150@yahoo.com or call my business toll free 1-877-542-6252. Thanks Paul

    

    Paul

    September 18, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    Reply
    • Hi Paul,

      Can you let me know if he was on Peleliu? I’d like to add him if so.

      Thank you!
      Valerie

      

      Valerie Pippi

      September 18, 2011 at 6:29 pm

      Reply
      • Valerie,

        The date of death would indicate that he was on Peleliu.

        Best, Eric

        

        Eric Mailander

        November 17, 2011 at 12:11 pm
    • Thanks Eric. I should have seen that – appreciated.

      

      Valerie Pippi

      November 18, 2011 at 7:44 am

      Reply
45. Dear Valerie,

    This site is so lovely, Honoring our Servicemen and Ancestors, who have given so much to ensure our freedom.

    Peleliu was a living nightmare. Those who were there, are beyond Heroes, they are Angels.
    Thank you, Rebecca

    

    Rebecca Ebert-Flores

    October 8, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    Reply
46. Live with a lonely heart for my brother ( Corporal Kenneth Barnes ) KIA at Bloody Nose Ridge 19 September 1944. Veteran of the Canal and the Cape before Peleliu. Age 20 when KIA 1st Marine
    Div. Still miss you big brother. Your baby brother born September 6, 1943.

    

    Chuck Barnes

    October 26, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Reply
    • Thank you for posting here. My father was severely wounded that same day. I will place your brother on the “honored” list on the site.

      

      Valerie Pippi

      October 26, 2011 at 4:14 pm

      Reply
    • Was Kenny in B Co, 1st Marines? If so, I have a veteran contact who was with him when he died.

      -Eric Mailander

      

      Eric Mailander

      January 3, 2012 at 1:47 pm

      Reply
      • Do you have a contact for Fox Company 2/5?
        I have done a book on a Marine killed on Peleliu – but am still eager to talk to anyone who may have known him on Pavuvu or at Peleliu.

        I’m glad I finally found a way to contact you.

        Pat

        

        Pat Beegle

        January 3, 2012 at 5:53 pm
      • Pat, I visited Peleliu in 1994, during the 50th anniversary reunion, with a former Marine in F-2-5 but need to dig-out his name. That was many years ago. I do have the official 2/5 action report for Peleliu but I’m sure you already researched that document for your book. Sounds interesting, when will it be out?

        -Eric

        

        Eric Mailander

        January 3, 2012 at 10:24 pm
      • I did not find the action report for F/2/5. Where can I find it? I found action reports for First Marines that refernced the action of Fox Company on the air strip but I wasn’t sure if that Fox Company was 2/5.
        The book, Your Son & Brother, was self published November 10, 2010. It is available on Amazon.
        It is the the complete archive of the letters home from PFC Patrick Walls Klein to his sister and parents including scans of all his Marine Corps documents. It is not a book on Peleliu, it is the story of an ordinary kid who died shortly after his 19th birthday on an island half way around the world from the Pennsylvania small town in which he grew up. His story closely paralleled Sledge but they were in different companies. He entered the Navy V-12 program at Penn State right after high school graduation (July ’43.) Then went to San Diego for boot camp October ’43 and stayed for Japanese Language School until he shipped out for the South Pacific May ’44 (New Caldonia to Pavuvu then Peleliu.) According to the Marine Corps death certificate, he was killed by a sniper D+2, Sept 17. The body was not recovered so he is listed as missing or buried at sea on the Manilla monument.

        All the original documents used in the book are now in the Marine Museum in Quantico.

        Thank you for your response and for any information you may have.

        

        Pat Beegle

        January 3, 2012 at 11:37 pm
      • I have the official 2/5 Unit Journal that references F Co. Company journals were documented by the 1st Sgt and turned in to battalion after the battle. F Company referred to in the 1st Marine action report is not 2/5′s F Co.

        Keep in mind that the date of death is often misleading and is sometimes listed when a body was found and/or buried. On 17 September, F Co was not involved in heavy combat and deployed on the eastern side of the island (the Japanese had abandoned that area).

        NARA in College Park, MD houses all the Navy and Marine Corpse action reports. I will be going soon and will look for any material pertaining to F/2/5 on Peleliu. They also have the unit rosters.

        -Eric

        

        Eric

        January 4, 2012 at 11:19 pm
      • Hi Eric,
        Do you also have the action reports for the 11th Marines 3rd Battalion I Co. My father told me that they were used as infantry during the later stages of the battle. He said they were sent up the west side of the island to prevent infiltration by the Japanese.
        Thanks
        Mike Baker

        

        MIke Baker

        January 11, 2012 at 8:27 am
      • Thank you. Anything you can find on F/2/5 would be great. The date and manner of death for PFC Klein does track with various published accounts. On Sept 17, 2/5 was in the Mangrove swamp and took “sporadic” sniper fire. However, in the chaos and heavy casualties, an error would not be surprising. The death report attributes the report of a sniper wound to eye witnesses. If you find the roster, please let me know and I can follow up.

        

        Pat Beegle

        January 11, 2012 at 11:46 am
47. I have already posted before about my father, Glenn Lewis Wood, 1st Marines K35…50 cal water-cooled machine gun…does anyone have any information/memory about him concerning Peleliu, Hospital Ship HOPE, Okinowa, or the Chinese Occupation? Just curious to pose the question again. He died resulting from issues of an occupational accident in 1996, he fell off a roof pressure washing it, age 70, and every inch and fiber a Marine.

    I assume most of his buddies have like him passed away (although after his experience at Peleliu I remember him relating…”you could tell the new guys, they would try to make friends…the experienced guys didn’t make friends, didn’t want the heartache of losing another buddy….”.) I’ll never forget those words…tells alot of the horrors of those battles.

    Anyway…1st Marines, K Company, 3 Regiment, 5th Regiment (I believe that’s the correct nomenclature, I’m Air Force)…anybody remember my dad?

    Gary Wood Col (ret) USAF

    

    Gary Wood

    November 15, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Reply
    • oops, meant K Company, 3rd battalion, 5th Regiment…my bad…

      

      Gary Wood

      November 15, 2011 at 9:18 pm

      Reply
      • Gary,

        I have the official 3/5 Unit Journal for Peleliu that describes the events on Peleliu. Although it mentions K Co quite a bit, it also mentions the other two companies as well. Let me know if I can assist with any Peleliu questions.

        -Eric

        

        Eric Mailander

        January 20, 2012 at 10:58 am
      • Eric, Do you by chance have info on 1/1 A? My grandfather was WC McKibben in this company Im told it was A co but im not sure that is correct

        

        Christi Holder

        January 20, 2012 at 11:17 am
      • Eric, thank you so much…I will be in touch. Besides what I read in Sledge’s book, talking with him and my father briefly, I don’t know much as my father did not care to discuss it. I believe my father told me he went on beach the 3rd day at Pelileu…his machine gun mate was shot in the face and died right next to him in a fox hole, but he never told me his name. I will chat with you later as to other questions that I have…thank you.

        

        Gary Wood

        January 21, 2012 at 7:51 am
    • I was making dinner the other night that included some baby lima beans (Navy Beans). It brought a smile to my face as I remembered my dad absolutely refusing to even smell “Navy Beans”. My father would eat anything, and would not allow my brothers, sister, or myself to get up from the dinner table unless we cleaned our plates, and here was my father that wouldn’t allow “Navy Beans” in the house. He told me the story that aboard the transport ships they had “navy beans” nearly every day (Maybe even on the islands, I don’t know as we never discussed the rations). He said he ate so many “Navy Beans” it made him sick to even smell them after the war. I also remember him telling me the bunks were stacked 6 high, and it was always the guy on top that got sick during rough seas–not sure if there was a cause and affect with the “navy beans”…

      Just thought this was a little humorous tid bit of forgotten lore of those days with K35…

      Gary Wood Col (ret) USAF

      

      Gary Wood

      May 9, 2012 at 10:34 am

      Reply
48. Phil,

    I have been researching this incident with Frank Mezzacapa and think that we know the same vet who was in a foxhole next to him when he was hit. L Co was involved in a hot firefight with several Japanese renegades in the ridges when he was shot by a sniper. I confirmed this with the official 3/7 muster roll that lists his death from a bullet to the head. L Co was suppose to have been relieved at that time and would go down in history as the last Marine unit to see action on Peleliu. The date was Oct 18, 1944.

    -Eric

    

    Eric Mailander

    November 17, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Reply
49. I know a veteran who served in B Co, First Marines who was with Kenny when he was hit. I’m assuming that he was in B Co?

    -Eric

    

    Eric Mailander

    November 30, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    Reply
50. Thank you for this informative site, and the chance to share comments about my father, Corp. Lafayette “Lafe” J. Mattingly (1917-1990) who was awarded the Silver Star for his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” in action on Peleliu, Sept. 27, 1944. He rescued a fellow Marine “who was pinned down by heavy mortar fire from the caves near the road along which they were laying wire.” Corp. Mattingly was a wire chief of “a artillery battery attached to to an infantry battalion”, USMC First Division.

    This fellow Marine and my father will always be united in my memory.

    He received an Honorable Discharge on Sept.15, 1945, after participation in the capture and defense of Guadalcanal (Aug 7, 1942-Dec. 9, 1942); under aerial bombardment at New Guinea (Oct. 9, 1943-Dec. 25, 1943); participated in the capture of Cape Gloucester, New Britain (Dec. 26, 1943-Feb. 10, 1944); and participated in the capture of Peleliu Island (Sep. 16, 1944-Oct. 30, 1944).

    My father was born in Breckinridge County, KY, and died in New Orleans, La. Please add his name to your list of heroes, thank you.

    

    Marcia Mattingly

    December 5, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Reply
51. Hello, I am trying to find out if my father, John Wyszynski, known as “Ski” of course, was at Peleliu. He was in the 1st Marines and was definitely at Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester. My mother thinks he was also at Peleliu but she is not positive. He was a First Sergeant when he left the Marines in 1947. He passed away in 2000 having rarely talked about the war and I am so sorry that I am only now beginning to learn about what he experienced. If anyone has any information to share about John ‘Ski’ Wyszynski, and especially if you know if he was at Peleliu, I would greatly appreciate it.
    Thank you, Terry

    

    Terry Wyszynski

    January 3, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    Reply
    • Hi Terry,

      I have the entire 1st Marine roster for Peleliu and didn’t locate John Wysznski yet. Can you tell me what company he served in so I can narrow my search. Thus far, he was not in A, B, C, E, F, G or K Co’s but still need to check on I, L and HQ Co’s. You can obtain his complete military records from the National Personnel Records Center at:

      National Personnel Records
      9700 Page Avenue
      St Louis, Missouri 63132-5100.

      When you write and request his info, include John’s military ID numer, SS number, date of service, unit, etc. to help expidite.

      Good luck, Eric Mailander, Peleliu researcher

      

      Eric Mailander

      January 3, 2012 at 1:45 pm

      Reply
      • Thanks so much for your quick response and your effort to find a record of my father. I don’t know what company he served in. I will try contacting the Records Center.
        Thanks,
        Terry

        

        Terry Wyszynski

        January 4, 2012 at 6:30 am
    • Hi Terry,

      Have you tried to obtain a copy of your father’s military records? There is a nominal fee (around $45) to cover the cost of photo copying and shipping. If you are next of kin, you should have no trouble obtaining them… In the official record, there should be a journal entry for each unit transfer and review period. By this, you should be able to track your father’s general location while he was in the service. There also may be copies of orders showing movement from one location to another via ship or other transport, copies of an classes that were taken, pay records, etc. I did this for my dad and was able to put a lot of the missing pieces in place.

      My father (Joseph Morano, Jr.) joined the Marines right out of high school (February 1943) and ended up as a tail gunner/radio operator on a TBM Avenger. He was with VMTB-131 (torpedo bomber squadron) until June of ’44. My dad received a serious injury while training with his unit in Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. The details of the injury were somewhat vague (from my father and in the official record), but it was serious enough that my dad was not able to move on with his unit when they were relocated into an active combat zone. Somehow, my dad was able to get himself transferred into the intelligence group for Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11, Headquarters Squadron). He, along with the rest of his group, boarded the S.S. MORMACPORT on 8/30/44 and headed towards the Palau Group and ultimately Peleliu. They arrived at Peleliu on the 24th of September and disembarked on the 30th. There was still a lot of heavy action at this time, but the airfield, where my father would be located, was fairly secure. My dad’s job, while stationed on Peleliu, was to brief pilots before they took off on combat missions. Some of these missions were some of the shortest ever flown in the history of air combat. Planes would take off and, in many cases, didn’t even need to raise their landing gear before it was time to drop their bombs. Their primary target, The Umurbrogol (Bloody Nose Ridge), was a scant 300 yards from the end of the runway. My father was stationed on Peleliu until the middle of May, 1945. Much of the above, I learned from my father’s service records and from various “War Journals” kept by the various Naval/Marine units during the war in the Pacific.

      While my father was alive (he died in 2008), he spoke very little about his experiences in the war. In fact, I didn’t even know he’d been on Peleliu until a few years before his death (I always knew he’d been a Marine and flown on a torpedo bomber). I did get talk a little bit about his experiences there, but didn’t ask many of the questions I should have asked. I remember him saying that all of his personal gear was lost on a barge that was sunk during the landing. He also said that there wasn’t a lot of food or drinkable water and that they had to do a lot of “scavenging”. He related that one time, when he as taking a dispatch to the field commander, he was able to look through some really long binoculars that were on a tripod on top of blockhouse used as headquarters. He said he could see people (US Solders) climbing around on the face of a cliff (Bloody Nose Ridge) and shooting rifles into the mouth of a cave. Scary stuff…

      After my father passed, I inherited a bunch of photos from his time on the Peleliu. Some are snapshots of my dad and some of his mates hamming it up with various “souvenirs” they’d “found”. There are also a number of photos of the intelligence group and the hut where the pilot briefings took place. In addition, there were some aerial photos of Peleliu and some of the other islands in the Palau Group and there was a set of photos taken by staff photographers (many of which are included in the above photo album).

      The information provided on the Internet has really helped me as I try to reconstruct what my dad did during the war. It is fascinating to read the first hand accounts of actions taken by various military groups during a major engagement like the invasion of Peleliu. Many of the previously Top Secret documents are available (from the National Archives or from various pay-to-look online services). The battle for Peleliu, in particular, is of tremendous interest to many… and there are quite a few websites dedicated the memory of the brave men who fought and lost their lives there. I have enjoyed reading the posts on this and other blogs… especially the ones from those who were actually there. It gives me a better sense of who my dad and others of his generation were… and lets me look at a side of their live experience that they were reluctant to share. Thanks!

      

      Tom Morano

      April 19, 2012 at 1:42 pm

      Reply
52. Valerie, if it is not too much trouble, can you change the link on your Honor List to my father’s scrapbook to just :

    http://www.buzzardsroost.us/

    Thanks…the links underneath the main site may change over the years (as has happened already). Once on the main page, it is fairly obvious where to go to get to my Dad’s scrapbook.

    

    Larry Weathersby

    January 30, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    Reply
    • Thanks much for informing me.� I have just updated that link to your father’s scrapbook for you.

      Enjoy today,

      Valerie

      ________________________________

      

      Valerie Pippi

      January 30, 2012 at 4:49 pm

      Reply
53. Eric Mailander,
    I am looking for any information you might have on my dad’s cousin, PFC Robert Herrmann, USMCR, who died on Peleliu on 9/15/44. I recently finished reviewing Robert’s military records, so perhaps I have some information to share with you as well.

    Ever since I discovered when and where Robert died, I have been sucked ever-deeper into Peleliu history, as well as the larger picture of island hopping in the Pacific Theatre. I have been researching every Peleliu website I can find, plus I have watched hours of videos based on actual battle footage from WWII in the Pacific. Consequently, I have amassed a lot of data, and many of my questions have been answered. However, I am hoping that your knowledge and extensive database can paint an even clearer, more detailed picture of Robert Herrmann’s last hours as a Marine landing on Peleliu with B Company, 6th Amphibian Tractor Battalion (Provisional). Here is some background on him:

    PFC Robert Herrmann, USMCR 930655;
    Enlisted in December 1943
    5/5/44—Sailed from San Francisco with 54th Replacement Bn
    5/29/44 – 7/16/44 at Guadalcanal
    7/18/44-8/25/44 at Pavuvu where he joined the newly formed 6th Amphibian Tractor Battalion (Provisional) on 7/18/44. Attached to III Amphibious Corps. Commanding Officer of the 6th Amphi TrBn was Capt. John I. Fitzgerald, Jr.; Executive Officer was 1st Lt. Whitley A. Cummings, Jr.
    8/25/44—Sailed from Pavuvu, B.S.I.P. aboard LST 121 [possibly LST 151]; Order signed by 2nLt Frank Werling, Adjutant, USMCR

    Details of Death [At Peleliu Robert was a crew member of an LVT (2).]
    Statement of Colonel W.W. Davidson 11/23/44 on Detailed Statement of Account: “ . . . Missing in action since 15Sep44. This man was a crew member of an LVT which struck a landmine on the reef while making a landing. The LVT was turned upside down and burned in very shallow water, one man escaped from this LVT and made his way to safety but does not know what happened to the remainder of the crew. There were no other witnesses. No bodies were recovered and identified and this man had not appeared on any reports of having been admitted to any hospital. . . .”

    Questions:
    1) Is there any more documentation of Robert’s surviving crewmate’s statement referred to by Col. Davidson? Do you have the names of the surviving crew member who made the statement or the name(s) of the other MIA/KIA crew members? What time in the day did he hit the mine? Was he killed on his first trip or on a subsequent trip?
    2) Do you have enough detail on the battle to know which wave did Robert first come in on? Which beach/regiment was he supporting? One source on WWII vehicles says the LVT (2) was mostly used as a cargo carrier since it did not have armor to protect passengers. At Peleliu did they have the luxury of using the LVT (2) only for cargo? If Robert did transport troops, which regiment was he transporting—1st, 5th , or 7th Marines?
    3) The LVT flipped and burned in shallow water after hitting a land mine on the reef. The reef is 600-800 yards wide; am I right in assuming that a “fringing reef” mean the reef extends all the way to the shore with no deeper water between the reef and the beach? Bruce Watkins mentions visiting LVT wrecks (your 1999 visit); are these on the beach or are there still LVTs in the water—visible or submerged?
    4) Items I have that may or may not interest you:
    • List of 33 Peleliu MIA Marines declared KIA on 1/22/46 by Secretary of Navy.
    • List of 104 Marines from 6th Amph TrBn Marines promoted to PFC 8/8/44 after completing training.

    I do have other questions, but this is more than enough to establish contact with you!
    Thanks,
    Jean Linder

    

    Jean Linder

    February 22, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    Reply
    • Hi Jean,

      Thanks for your note. Yes, I can probably help you with most of your questions and I do have the official Peleliu Landing Order in my files. You are right, Peleliu has a fringing reef that varies from 500 to 700 yards from the invasion beach. LVT(2)’s and LVT(4)’s were the two types of amphib tractors, the later with a rear ramp. Both were used as troop carriers and, later, cargo. DUWKS carried cargo too. There are several LVT wrecks on Peleliu, some sunk in deep water. I would be very interested in learning more about Pfc Rober Herrmann. You can email me at whitesharkseeker@sbcglobal.net for more information and I look forward hearing from you.

      Best, Eric

      

      Eric Mailander

      February 24, 2012 at 6:57 pm

      Reply
54. Eric,
    My father Robert N. Marsden was attached to K-3-5 from late 42 to late 44. He was at guadacanal for the last month. He was at gloucester for about two weeks before being shot in the wrist and evacuated. He caught back up with the company in time for Peleliu. He is in the upper left corner of K companys picture at the end of the battle of Peleliu in white t-shirt. I found that picture earlier this year and was able to indentify him.Sadly my Dad passed away in 1991. He rarely spoke of the war. I have recieved his military records and have been working on learning as much as possible the last few months.It sounds like you have lots of info. I am mostly trying to find anyone alive that was in his company.
    Thank you,
    John Marsden

    

    John Marsden

    March 14, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    Reply
    • Thanks, John. I have contacted about a dozen K-3-5 survivors and visited Peleliu with Gene Sledge’s son, Henry. Sadly, many of those vets have since passed. I do have the official 3/5 action report for Peleliu and a huge, poster-like-enlargement of the K-3-5 group photo that one vet sent to me.

      Thanks again, Eric

      

      Eric Mailander

      March 15, 2012 at 11:14 am

      Reply
      • Can I possibly get a copy of the action report?
        Thanks again,
        John

        

        John Marsden

        March 15, 2012 at 12:41 pm
55. Looking for information on a corporal Christ V. Pesavento. All I know is he was in the 1 Marines. He fought on Peleliu, Okinawa and Occupation of China. He was my father’s first cousin, He passed away in 1988. My father was in Peleliu well after the Marines. He was part of the 819th Tank Destroyer Battalion, US Army.
    He has many pictures of the monument on Bloodly Nose Ridge.

    Tony Pesavento

    

    Tony Pesavento

    March 15, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    Reply
    • Hi Tony,

      When you get info on his rank and position on Peleliu, let me know so I can add him to my list, okay? Thank you! Good luck with your search. Valerie

      

      Valerie Pippi

      March 16, 2012 at 11:25 am

      Reply
    • I have all the Peleliu rosters for the First Marines but need to know what battalion or company to help you. Do you at least have his MOS (military occupational specialty)?

      -Eric

      

      Eric

      March 16, 2012 at 2:57 pm

      Reply
56. I am a grandson of a WWII veteran. I went to a boarding school in Stockton, Mo. While singing songs at a nursing home, I met a gentleman that served as a part of an amphibious tank that landed on Peleliu. I wish I could say a few words to that gentleman as I was not allowed to at that particular time. It was at a nursing home right outside of Stockton, Mo. Just want to say God bless you, Sir. If you have passed, may God bless your path and those that were blessed to know you.

    

    JP

    May 9, 2012 at 3:03 am

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Enter your comment here...

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Email (required) (Address never made public)

Name (required)

Website

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out / Change )

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out / Change )

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out / Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

Notify me of follow-up comments via email.