ww2marine Posted January 5, 2018 #1 Posted January 5, 2018 This is a group I've had for a number of years and want to share with my fellow USMC enthusiasts. This group belonged to Claude English from Trenary, MI. A late war Marine, Claude went to boot camp in August 1944, and upon completion, entered engineer school which he went on to finish in late February 1945. Interestingly enough, he wasn't slated to serve with the 6th engineers. Following the carnage at Sugar Loaf, Claude joined "C" Co. 1/22 on May 21st in time to fight through the ruins and rubble of Naha city. Ten days later he was wounded in the fierce fighting for Hill 46 east of Naha, taking shrapnel in his left arm. Upon recovery, he rejoined his unit and fought through the rest of southern Okinawa. He stayed with the 22ND through the rest of the battle and did liberation duty in Tsingtao China after the Japanese surrender.
ww2marine Posted January 5, 2018 Author #3 Posted January 5, 2018 The letter sent home to his wife detailing the nature of his wounds and his purple heart certificate
ww2marine Posted January 5, 2018 Author #4 Posted January 5, 2018 This is a second USMC issues blouse he picked up on China duty and had cut down and embroidered
Blacksmith Posted January 5, 2018 #5 Posted January 5, 2018 Really exceptional items; I really enjoy seeing 6th MARDIV pieces. Thank you so much for posting.
Raidercollector Posted January 5, 2018 #6 Posted January 5, 2018 Very nice Marine 6th Div group.Hard to find them with documents and photo's. Nick
ww2marine Posted January 5, 2018 Author #8 Posted January 5, 2018 Probably my favorite part of this group. A journal he kept. He keeps it short and blunt. Some of the entries he probably wrote in hindsight as they are out of chronological order. I'll write the Okinawa entries as they are a bit hard to make out in the photo May 26th - Wrote Eileen one letter May 31st - Hit in arm June (?) - back on front lines June 12th - Killing lots of Japs June 15th Killing them damn Japs day after day. South end of Okinawa is the most rugged, all I can say, its a hell hole on earth. June 21st - They say the fight is all over but still am having a lot of trouble, killing about 10 japs a day, that is 2nd Plt. "C" Co. July (?) Going back a few miles. We have done all the hard fighting so the army is taking over. "That Army" what a joke for a fighting outfit. July 4th - had a day off. had a lot of fun and food, went aboard a ship and ate for hours. sold lots of Japanese gear.
mes Posted January 5, 2018 #10 Posted January 5, 2018 Great grouping the china duty coat is fantastic Thanks for showing it. Mark
katieony Posted January 5, 2018 #11 Posted January 5, 2018 Really nice 6th Division group...thank you for posting! Mike
manayunkman Posted January 5, 2018 #12 Posted January 5, 2018 Great group. I love that he was selling Japanese souvenirs aboard ship.
ww2marine Posted January 6, 2018 Author #13 Posted January 6, 2018 Thanks for all the positive comments fellas.
ParanormalTrooper Posted January 18, 2018 #14 Posted January 18, 2018 Awesome grouping, that journal is fantastic!
44-63963 Posted March 14, 2018 #15 Posted March 14, 2018 Great USMC group, the Okinawa battle was a great battle , you have a very nice group , thanx for sharing.
Timberwolf Posted March 18, 2018 #17 Posted March 18, 2018 Not sure how I missed this one, great group!
Dirk Posted March 18, 2018 #18 Posted March 18, 2018 Missed this one as well! That China jacket is spectacular!
Sand Flea Posted March 25, 2018 #19 Posted March 25, 2018 A nice grouping of a WW 2 Marine with China service. Thank you for sharing with us.
LibertyDivision Posted July 11, 2018 #20 Posted July 11, 2018 A++ grouping. Love the journal entries. Gives you a real feel of the war.
Lennart Holmquist Posted October 16, 2022 #21 Posted October 16, 2022 I found this posting regarding Claude English when doing research on my late father Bernard J. Holmquist, also known as 'Bud'. My father knew Claude. They both fought on Okinawa and were in Tsingtao (Qingdao), China together. Interestingly, regarding the 'USMC issues blouse he [Claude] picked up on China duty and had cut down and embroidered.' I have a similar jacket with embroidery which I inherited from my father though the one I have is not in such good shape. For anyone who is interested I have attached what I have written regarding my father's U.S. Marine Corp years (1944-46), which is mostly based on interviews with my father in the 1980s. Please forgive any typos, etc., I see I need to edit the document further. The document was at one time on the web, so most of the links no longer work. Any photos in the document that include my father are part of my personal archives. The other photos I found on the web. Lastly, the emails at the bottom of the page are no longer in use. Feel free to contact me on U.S. Militaria Forum if you have any questions or comments. Kind regards, Lennart Bernard John Holmquist_ World War II.pdf
ww2marine Posted November 1, 2022 Author #22 Posted November 1, 2022 Lennart, I sent you a message regarding your father and Claude English.
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