Jump to content

OPERATION WATCHTOWER-What do you have from Guadalcanal?


BEAST
 Share

Recommended Posts

Been a while since I posted. Here is an actual Guadalcanal trench art relic:

 

 

SNV15153.jpg

 

Part of a large USMC grouping I have. Will try to post more photos soon.

 

Reg

Hinrik

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is the uniform of a communication officer of the 1st Marine Air Wing who awarded the Silver Star on Guadalcanal.

post-67345-0-64904700-1464861930.jpg

post-67345-0-91357500-1464861937.jpg

post-67345-0-47428700-1464861944.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is my prized helmet that was worn by Mark Ben Kamen on Guadalcanal where he was wounded in action in 1942.

Mark B. Kaman was born in 1921 and enlisted in the marine corps at age 18 in 1939. He was part of the 1st marine division, 11th marines special weapons battery K company. Mark landed on Guadalcanal on August 7th 1942 and was wounded there on November 3rd 1942. He was shot in his left hand and lost his middle and ring fingers. Mark was discharged at the rank of sergeant on July 1st 1943. He died in 1976 at the age of 54.

 

I have a post on it here,

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/229142-wwii-usmc-m1-helmet-with-ega-and-hawley-liner/

 

 

post-104606-0-52870300-1464875492.jpegpost-104606-0-08638800-1464875511.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Amazing helmet, TBF!

 

Here is my contribution. Group named to Sgt. Henry J. Abbott. He served with the 1st (3/7) during Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester (Awarded the Silver Star), then later with the 4th (1/23) at Iwo.

 

The Vandegrift was fashioned by his wife for their son (toddler size), I assume using Abbott's uniform. SSI is Aussie made.

 

post-29885-0-19249300-1464884949.jpg

 

post-29885-0-13471700-1464884952.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello,

 

Indeed very interested topic !

 

Here is an army M1936 bag named to an USMC Captain WIA on Guadalcanal during the battle of Edson's Ridge.

He served in Alaska during the rest of the war.

 

 

post-67345-0-24323000-1464971261.jpg

post-67345-0-98227100-1464971262.jpg

post-67345-0-42443400-1464971267.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
ViewfinderGyrene

James C Lockamy C-1-1 Guadalcanal veteran as well as Cape Gloucester and Pelleliu

 

:o.......... ;)

 

 

~VFG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

Francis Harper, Able Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. He served as a rifleman on Guadalcanal, landing on November 21, 1942. He went on to serve as a rifleman on Cape Gloucester and an intelligence scout on Peleliu, surviving the war unscathed physically.

post-104906-0-70852800-1483396120_thumb.jpg

post-104906-0-19350600-1483396136.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ParanormalTrooper

Wow, fantastic stuff guys! Unfortunately all of my named USMC gear was used in later campaigns.

 

Man, some amazing stuff on this thread. Absolutely incredible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2nd Lt. John J. Gately USMCR - 1/5 1st Marine Division

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant John J. Gately (MCSN: 0-8081), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander of a Machine Gun Platoon, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces along the coast of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 10 August 1942. While proceeding through the dense underbrush in enemy-controlled territory, Second Lieutenant Gately, several feet in advance of his men, was seriously wounded by a Japanese sniper concealed in a well camouflaged position. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he managed to get to his feet after being struck down, and shot and killed the enemy sniper. Persisting in his valiant effort to carry out the orders of his superior officer, he attempted to crawl to his platoon but collapsed from the effort. His fortitude and courage at the risk of his life reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

 

According to Richard Tregaskis "Guadalcanal Diary" Gately killed the first enemy combatant during Operation Watchtower

 

Bill

 

post-248-0-68796400-1483402606_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ViewfinderGyrene

2nd Lt. John J. Gately USMCR - 1/5 1st Marine Division

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant John J. Gately (MCSN: 0-8081), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander of a Machine Gun Platoon, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces along the coast of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 10 August 1942. While proceeding through the dense underbrush in enemy-controlled territory, Second Lieutenant Gately, several feet in advance of his men, was seriously wounded by a Japanese sniper concealed in a well camouflaged position. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he managed to get to his feet after being struck down, and shot and killed the enemy sniper. Persisting in his valiant effort to carry out the orders of his superior officer, he attempted to crawl to his platoon but collapsed from the effort. His fortitude and courage at the risk of his life reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

 

According to Richard Tregaskis "Guadalcanal Diary" Gately killed the first enemy combatant during Operation Watchtower

 

Bill

 

 

Remarkable group sir. By the way, had attempted to send you a PM on another subject but your box is full. Excellent tribute to Lt. Gately.

 

~VFG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's my contribution. I think there's a good chance that 2nd Mar Div patch is original to the coat. It's a cut-down service coat, by the way. Unnamed.

 

post-257-0-22060900-1483587236_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Happy to place my second Guadalcanal group for this thread. Helmet belonging to Robert L. Searles, PT Boat Skipper at Guadalcanal. I also have a KABAR knife from Guadalcanal in July, 1944 (post-battle).. Need to take some photos!

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/232584-tales-of-tulagi-m1-helmet-belonging-to-cdr-robert-lippincott-searles-pt-skipper-and-xo-mtb-ron-3-guadacanal/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...