13-115 Garand Picture of the Day - Bougainville 93 Inf Div

[Mark in Rochester]

Information

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[Bill Hollinger]

Hum, just a helmet liner on his head. An officer it looks like too.

[browningautorifle]

I wonder...isn't this the time before black officers? He looks to be carrying a full load. Rifle, one or maybe two bandoleers, cartridge belt I think, pistol, two grenades that I can see...

[Bill Hollinger]

I always got a big kick out of the Daisy May hats. I wish I had a nice original.

[Bill Hollinger]

I've blown the picture up and it appears he has epaulettes. At least it looks like there is a button for an epaulette.

[Mark in Rochester]

U.S. WWII Daisy Mae HBT Hat ima-usa.com

Vintage 40s WW2 US Army Enlisted Daisy Mae Original Fatigue Uniform Hat Cap R3 | eBay

[Shake Rag]

Looks like new issue rifles. Great wood, no nicks.

[Bob Seijas]

Of course, it was still very much a segregated army. They would likely be rear echelon or truck drivers.

[Mark in Rochester]

This is 93 inf div not truck drivers

The division's combat elements moved to Bougainville Island on 28 March 1944, and were attached to the Americal Division on the 30th. On that date they entered combat, assisting in attacks on the enemy perimeter. These elements, including the 25th RCT, reconnoitered across the Laruma River on 2 April, and in the Torokina River Valley from 7–12 April 1944. The 25th RCT operated against the Japanese along the Kuma and East-West Trails during May 1944. The combat team left for the Green Islands during May and June. The 93d Rcn. Troop, attached to the XIV Corps, remained to raid, patrol, and maintain perimeter positions. The troop began training 12 September 1944, and moved to Finschhafen on 1 November. Security patrols had scattered contacts with the enemy at Urapas from 3 to 15 January 1945, at Wardo from 6 November-22 December, and at Wari on 31 December. The security detachments at Wardo and Wari were withdrawn on 9–10 February 1945.

Leonard E. Dowden

While on Jolo on 17 July 1945, a patrol from the 368th was ambushed by a Japanese force three times its size. When the firefight began, Sergeant Leonard E. Dowden moved his squad to within 30 yards of the enemy. He then crawled forward alone to assault a machine-gun position with grenades, despite being gravely wounded. He would be killed by a burst of fire as he was about to throw a grenade. The patrol was able to fight off the enemy attack with only 18 casualties. For the extraordinary heroism that cost him his life, Staff Sergeant Dowden received the Distinguished Service Cross. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Staff Sergeant Dowden was the only member of the 93rd Infantry Division to earn the DSC during the war