This Military Service Page was created/owned by
PFC James E. Franklin (Slim)
to remember
Marine Sgt Harvey Armstrong.
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Contact Info
Last Address Chicago
Date of Passing Dec 01, 2008
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Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Other Comments:
At the battle for Saipan Harv was getting ready to go over the side for the invasion whan a Captain pull him aside and told him he was in charge of offloading his units gear. Four days later he caught up with it. He said the Platoon Sgt looked like he had seen a ghost as they had listed Cpl Armstrong as Missing in Action, Killed. He always got a laugh out of that.
On the third day ashore on Iwo Jima Sgt Armstrong received a head wound. He said they were setting up their gun in some rocks and the next thing he knew he was aboard the Hospital Ship Solace. He was evacuated to Saipan and then back to the states. Even though he wanted to stay in the Marine Corps he received a medical discharge in 1946.
Eastern Mandates Campaign (1944)/Operation Flintlock/Battle of Eniwetok Atoll
From Month/Year
February / 1944
To Month/Year
February / 1944
Description The Battle of Eniwetok was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought between 17 February 1944 and 23 February 1944, on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Naval bombardment of Eniwetok began on 17 February, and the 22nd Marine Regiment, commanded by Col John T. Walker, landed on Engebi Island, on 18 February at 08:43 the next day. Resistance was light, and the island was declared secure by 1450, though mopping-up continued through the next day. US losses included 85 dead and missing plus 166 wounded.
Intelligence suggested that the defenses on Eniwetok Island would be heavier than planned, though there was a comparatively preparatory bombardment before the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 106th Infantry Regiment went ashore at 0916 on 19 Feb., followed by the 3/22 at 1425. However, the Japanese soldiers had strong spider-hole positions, plus the Japanese concentrated their forces to the southwest, counterattacking the American flank, which forced the Americans to attack through the night. The island was not secured until 21 February. Americans were killed or missing and 94 wounded.
The mistake was not repeated at Parry Island. The battleships USS Tennessee and USS Pennsylvania and other ships delivered more than 900 tons of explosive onto the island. The 104th Field Artillery on eniwetok and the 2nd Separate Pack Howitzer Battalions on Japtan provided additional fire support. The 1/22 and 2/22 Marines landed at 0900 on 22 Feb. At 1930, the regimental commander radioed "I present you with the island of Parry", though operations continued through the next day. US casualties included 73 dead and missing plus 261 wounded.
