Capt Paul T.Torian 3rd Marine Division USMC

[doyler]

Captain Torian was the reciepiant of the Navy Cross for action on Bouganville 24 Dec 1943.

 

He served post war in the Reserves and retired a Major from what I gather.I have had a researcher looking for his records for almost a year and have given up on recieving any further information.

 

THe uniform group came as found.There is a Purple heart ribbon on bar but Im positive this wasnt his awards bar and out on there prior for display at some point.I had hoped to get his records to show the correct awards.I do have a Navy Cross ribbon but havent added it.

 

 

 

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Paul T. Torian (MCSN: 0-8751), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 24 November 1943. Upon receiving orders to assume command of a company on his left flank which had become disorganized and immobilized during an attack against a strongly entrenched enemy position, leaving the left flank of the battalion unprotected, Captain Torian unhesitatingly proceeded toward the disorganized unit approximately five hundred yards distant and, although in full view of the Japanese and under constant, accurate gunfire, arrived safely in the vicinity of the company's position. Finding it surrounded, with thirty-five men wounded men lying out in the open and vulnerable to the enemy's accurate fire, Captain Torian penetrated the Japanese lines and, promptly organizing the survivors for an immediate counterattack, succeeded in breaking the enemy encirclement. Then, carrying the wounded with him, he led the company to a position from which it could again offer protection to the battalion's left flank. By his gallant leadership, personal valor and selfless devotion to the fulfillment of a hazardous mission, Captain Torian contributed materially to the success of our forces in this strategic area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

 

 

[doyler]

Many of the uniform items are well marked to Capt Torian.The Sam Brown belt and cross strap are marked and the uniform itself is Named and dated 1942 to him.THis overseas cap(1 of 3) was found in the lower right blouse pocket.Its void of a sweatband and appears to be an odd tailor made one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Liner of overseas cap and named cross strap on Sam Brown Belt.

 

 

 

 

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Tag from inside pocket dated 1942.

 

 

 

 

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Tie with maker lable and Officers overcoat with liner and cloth belt for uniform

 

 

 

 

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Visor cap is a size 7 5/8. The overseas caps are large as well and the spare tops for the cover are 7 3/4-7 5/8.

 

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This box included his extra overseas caps,two pair of winter trousers dated 1950 and his Khalis dated 1945.Also a dress white and spare winter top(s)s for the officers cover.

 

 

 

 

 

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There was also another liner for the over coat in the box.

 

Both of these overseas caps are named as well.

 

 

 

 

 

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Trouser lables.I havent had the others off the torso form to see if they are also named or dated.Seeing he was in the reserves he must have had sets post war made.

 

Winter greens

 

 

Summer Khakis

 

 

 

 

[doyler]

There is a 4 part interview on youtube with Capt Torian and I have watched most all of it.

 

Not sure what other course I can pursue for his records as it seems they are not available or have been misplaced?

[doyler]

Information Provided by member BellumBill

 

 

Paul Tewksbury Torian, 08751

 

Enlisted April, 1940 - July, 1940 Platoon Leaders School, July, 1942 F/2/3, Oct, 1942 HQ/2/3 then G/2/3, January, 1943 I/3/3, Oct., 1943 CAPT. I/3/3, November 21, 1943 WIA and awarded SILVER STAR, 1944 eventually back to K/3/3, by January, 1945 back in the states in various assignments until the end of the war.

[doyler]

Interview:

 

[Bellumbill]

Ron -

 

Excellent grouping to a real hero! Glad you finally got around to posting it as I have been eagerly anticipating seeing it all together. Love the named Sam Browne! I was glad to help out what little I could. I encourage anyone interested to watch the video, some great information in there.

 

Thanks for posting Ron, another great pickup!

 

Best regards,

 

Bill K.

[doyler]

Ron -

 

Excellent grouping to a real hero! Glad you finally got around to posting it as I have been eagerly anticipating seeing it all together. Love the named Sam Browne! I was glad to help out what little I could. I encourage anyone interested to watch the video, some great information in there.

 

Thanks for posting Ron, another great pickup!

 

Best regards,

 

Bill K.

 

 

Bill

 

Thanks for all the assitance and information.

 

I enjoyed the interview but I felt at times Mr Torian was a bit uncomfortable and they could have asked better questions.You could see he was a bit confused when they asked him about an M2 carbine...Something which he would'nt have had and his expression showed his confusion to the question.Was intresting to hear of his early prewar life and time at Dartmouth as well.

[Kurt Barickman]

Very nice grouping Ron!

 

Kurt

[katieony]

Top notch! Thanks for sharing.

 

Mike

[TLeo]

Really nice group. Let us see it again when you get the proper ribbons put on.

[doyler]

Really nice group. Let us see it again when you get the proper ribbons put on.

Thanks

 

Maybe hard to do if I cant get his file.

 

I have ran into issue before with a couple guys who were in the reserves after the war.One was a Glider pilot who retired out of AF Reserves as a Lt.Col.The only thing St.Louis had on him was a final pay record from WW2. Makes me wonder if the records were pulled and combined some place or lost/mis filed.

[doyler]

Very nice grouping Ron!

 

Kurt

Thanks.

[doyler]

Top notch! Thanks for sharing.

 

Mike

Thanks Mike

[CjVl]

Great one Just look ad al 4 interviews great humble man

[usmcraidergirl]

Very nice and historical piece!

[doyler]

Thanks Raider Girl!

[Raidercollector]

Ron

Glad you finally got the uniform out to show. Its a nice one, It will be awesome when you get the right ribbons on, NC ones are very hard to find.The belt being named is cool. Why you can not get his file is funny, Looks like he only stayed in till the end of the war. Correct me if I,m wrong. I,m sure mark can help you get some info on him.

 

Nick

[TLeo]

Thanks

 

Maybe hard to do if I cant get his file.

 

I have ran into issue before with a couple guys who were in the reserves after the war.One was a Glider pilot who retired out of AF Reserves as a Lt.Col.The only thing St.Louis had on him was a final pay record from WW2. Makes me wonder if the records were pulled and combined some place or lost/mis filed.

Even if they are less than 62 yrs old (from when he left service) they should still give you enough FOI material to be able to restore the ribbons. Hopefully your researcher is on top of things and can come up with something. It may just be an Army file problem though with those you mentioned. I have had several FOI requests for Marine records in addition to archival ones and almost always get part of the records for the FOI (but FOI does take a long time sometimes).