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Casualty Info
Home Town St. Paul
Last Address 1148 Lincoln Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota
Casualty Date Jul 22, 1944
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Unknown, Not Reported
Location Guam
Conflict World War II
Wall/Plot Coordinates Temple of Aaron Cemetery, Roseville, MN
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed.
Details Behind Award
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY Washington The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the TWENTY-FIRST MARINES, REINFORCED, serving as the TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM, THIRD MARINE DIVISION for service as follows:
"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault, seizure and occupation of Guam, Marianas Islands, from July 21 to August 10, 1944. Landing as the center Regimental Combat Team of the Division at Asan, the Twenty-First Marine Regiment, Reinforced, serving as the Twenty-First Regimental Combat Team, swept rapidly over enemy beach defenses toward a strategic high ridge which afforded the enemy observation of the Division landing area and enabled him to deliver accurate mortar and artillery fire on the beaches. Under heavy mortar and small-arms fire as they stormed the two narrow defiles which constituted the only approach to the vertical cliffs, these gallant Marines established two bridgeheads covering the defiles and, by mid-afternoon, had consolidated the Combat Team's position atop the cliffs, thus materially reducing the volume and accuracy of hostile fire and facilitating establishment of the Division artillery ashore and the landing of supplies and equipment. Halted by direct, short-range enfilade artillery fire from commanding terrain in an adjacent zone, they held tenaciously to their vital position in the face of continuous mortar fire by day, sharp nightly counterattacks and mounting casualties. When the enemy launched a full-scale counterattack with his remaining organized forces in the pre-dawn hours of July 26, wiping out one company of the Combat Team and penetrating the front line, these officers and men waged a furious battle in the darkness; they annihilated approximately 2,000 Japanese troops in front of and within their position; and, by their individual heroism and gallant fighting spirit, dealt a crushing blow to organized enemy resistance on Guam, thereby upholding the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
All personnel attached to and serving with the Twenty-First Regimental Combat Team on Guam from July 21 to Aug 10, 1944, are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.