11-238 Garand Picture of the Day - Peleliu

[Mark in Rochester]

For Extraordinary Heroism
The Secretary of the Navy awarded the Presidential Unit Citation to the 1st Marine Division, and its reinforcing organizations, for "extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu and Ngesebus from September 15 to 29, 1944." In addition, Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the 3d 155mm Howitzer Battalion were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. On an individual basis, 69 participants in the battle for Peleliu were decorated with the Navy Cross, the second senior-most combat award in the Naval services.

The nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor, was presented to eight Marines in the fight for Peleliu; five were decorated posthumously, as indicated by (*):

*Corporal Lewis K. Bausell, USMC, 1/5;

Private First Class Arthur J. Jackson, USMC, 3/7;

*Private First Class Richard E. Kraus, USMCR, 8th Amphibian Tractor Battalion;

*Private First Class John D. New, USMC, 2/7;

*Private First Class Wesley Phelps, USMCR, 3/7;

Captain Everett P. Pope, USMC, 1/1;

*Private First Class Charles H. Roan, USMCR, 2/7; and

First Lieutenant Carlton R. Rouh, USMCR, 1/5.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Mark in Rochester]

Medal of Honor action

On September 20, 1944, Captain Pope and his company set out to storm Hill 154, a steep, barren, coral hill protruding from the face of Suicide Ridge, according to a field dispatch from TSgt Joseph L. Alli of Buffalo, New York, a Marine Corps Combat Correspondent. From almost point-blank range, Japanese mortars and field guns opened up on them from adjoining peaks on Suicide Ridge. Pope and his men took Hill 154 at dusk after hours of bloody fighting which nearly annihilated the group.[2]

Forced to deploy his men thinly, he nevertheless determined to hold his ground for the night. Immediately after darkness fell, the Japanese started to attack, first in small infiltrating bands, and, when these units failed, in groups of 20 to 25 who tried storming the hill. Each time, the Marines opened fire with everything they had — one light machine gun, several Tommy guns and rifles, and a limited supply of hand grenades. When the grenades ran low, they hurled rocks. "We would throw three or four rocks, then a grenade. The Japanese didn't know which were which," one Marine said. By sunrise the Marines were beating off the enemy with bare fists and hurling ammunition boxes at them. Finally only eight riflemen remained. When daylight brought deadly fire, Pope was ordered to withdraw.[2]

For these actions, Pope was formally presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman during a ceremony in 1945. It was Truman's first Medal of Honor presentation, and he told Pope that he would rather have the medal than be president

---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:39 PM ----------



First Lieutenant Rouh had been moving his mortar platoon near the top of a small coral ridge in preparation for digging in for the night, according to a field dispatch from SSgt James F. Moser, Jr., a Marine Corps Combat Correspondent. 1stLt Rouh decided to inspect an apparently empty Japanese dugout before permitting his men to use it.

A few minutes before, a flame-throwing squad had blasted fire into the position. Near the entrance, two of the enemy lay dead. 1stLt Rouh could hear nothing. He stepped over the pair, and into the dark interior, his carbine ready. Creeping along the wall, he could see stores of supplies. He saw no life.

Suddenly a shot rang out, hitting the lieutenant in the left side. He stumbled back to his men outside. Several Japanese followed, throwing grenades. Fragments filled the air. One grenade landed close to the lieutenant and two of his men. There was no escape, for the Japanese had held it too long to be thrown back.

Despite his weakened condition, 1stLt Rouh shoved his two comrades to the ground to save them from flying fragments. He dropped his carbine and dove for the grenade. He was down on his elbows and one knee when the grenade exploded. His abdomen and chest caught the blast, and he sank to the ground. None of his men were hit.

Still conscious, 1stLt Rouh could half hear and see the rest of the fight. Tommy gun rounds rang out, killing the remaining Japanese survivors. One of his men stood over him. Soon it was all over — and his Marines had their cover for the night.

First Lieutenant Rouh's body was pock-marked by the grenade blast. One steel fragment had passed through his left lung and lodged near his heart. Other fragments sprayed his chest, left side and left arm.

Still under enemy artillery and mortar fire, he was given first aid by a passing doctor, and was carried back to a casualty evacuation point. "That was a miserable trip back," he said. "I thought they would get all the men with me. But somehow we made it

[Sarge1998]

It is hard to imagine what those men experienced, Eugene Sledge's With the Old Breed, and the Pacific's attempt to recreate this conflict bring both horror and respect to my mind. This was a little published conflict by the media at the time and never received the recognition it deserved until recently.

[browningautorifle]

I could read those dispatches all day. Once I get started I can't stop.

[Mark in Rochester]

A Marine kneels at the grave of SgtMaj Lawrence J. Letellier on Peleliu. The SgtMaj served with HQ Co, 2nd Bn, 5th Marines and was killed in action by a Japanese mortar explosion on D-Day, 15 September 1944. He was one of the 1,361 Marines and FMF medical personnel who died in the assault on Peleliu. USMC Photo

Sergeant Major Letellier, Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Division, was a veteran of the Guadalcanal Campaign. On 15 September 1944, he was killed in action during the US Marine assault on Peleliu Island. In a letter written prior to that action, he wrote to his spouse, "Well, darling, where I go from here I don"t know, but wherever it is and whenever it is, I"ll be in there fighting to the last. If anything should happen, I hope you"ll take it like a good Marine and . .