Combat grouping of William W Rogal 2nd Mar DIV

[ArchangelDM]

William W Rogal enlisted on the 6th of September 1940 to serve with the 2nd marine division during WW2. 

 

This is one of his full combat uniforms and helmet that he wore during 4 yers of hell On the island. 
 

This grouping came directly from the family, firstly I would like to thank them for their continued efforts in keeping the grouping of William together, we have spent many emails and telephone conversations over the past months making this happen. 
 

When William returned from the war in late 1945 he wrote his memoirs 

GUADLCANAL, TARAWA AND BEYOND - A MUD MARINES MEMOIR OF THE PACIFIC WAR

 

I would like to add this is a Fantastic account of one combat marines journey through boot camp, to then becoming a platoon SGT and commanding a team of machine gunners in some of the most ferocious fighting in the PTO. 
 

William would be awarded the navy and marine corps medal for heroism at Guadalcanal, swimming in heavy waters after a huge battle to save a downed marine pilot from drowning. 
 

Wounded on Saipan and and the Gilbert islands, this marine was one tough recruit. 
 

Going through every detail of this brave mans career would be lengthy and something I could not do justice too, his book is on amazon should you want to read a first hand account of a Fighting marine. 
 

Below are the pics of the grouping from the family , he was made SGT before Saipan 

 

William was wounded in the back of the head on Saipan, shrapnel went through his helmet wounding him and putting him in hospital. The helmet is his replacement but his Cover is the original one he wore, it’s shredded and stencilled like all his gear. 
 

Worn and sun bleached this grouping tells the tale of William W Rogal 2nd Mar Div 

 

[ArchangelDM]

Salty P42

[ArchangelDM]

The flag was taken on the Tinian  island and the sword was brought home from Tsing Tao China when the Japanese surrendered in 1945

[ArchangelDM]

The flag and sword are in the book 

[ArchangelDM]

The small American flag was carried through this campaign 

[ArchangelDM]

His cover 

[ArchangelDM]

I was also given the after battle report from Guadalcanal, and the roster for the 2ND mar Div 
 

the after battle report is highly detailed and depicts the brutality of the battle 

[ArchangelDM]

The sword is actually from the satsuma rebellion

[ArchangelDM]

His hats 

[Lucky 7th Armored]

Very nice, if I recall, this was on eBay. I know myself and a few others were trying to secure this lot before the listing disappeared.

Congrats on a great grouping and being able to keep it all together!

[M24 Chaffee]

Really incredible grouping! I’ll need to check out his book!

 

Frank

[36thIDAlex]

Truly a one-of-a-kind set, he sure went through a lot and I’m glad all the history was saved together.

Great grouping and well done

Alex

[olivedrab1970]

WoW! Just a beautiful grouping, most excellent.

 

Robin-

[ArchangelDM]

43 minutes ago, WW2 History Buff said:

Very nice, if I recall, this was on eBay. I know myself and a few others were trying to secure this lot before the listing disappeared.

Congrats on a great grouping and being able to keep it all together!

 

32 minutes ago, M24 Chaffee said:

Really incredible grouping! I’ll need to check out his book!

 

Frank

 

15 minutes ago, 36thIDAlex said:

Truly a one-of-a-kind set, he sure went through a lot and I’m glad all the history was saved together.

Great grouping and well done

Alex

Thankyou Gents 

 

 

yes it was on eBay and I had been interested in It. He was splitting the group up and I wanted to keep it all together if I could. 

 

The book is a fantastic and Easy read , William worked as an a tourney after the war so it’s very well written and reads at a great pace. 

 

one of a kind for sure and I’m very lucky to be the caretaker of it. 

 

thanks for looking 

 

- Dean
 

 

 

 

[ArchangelDM]

6 minutes ago, olivedrab1970 said:

WoW! Just a beautiful grouping, most excellent.

 

Robin-

Thankyou my friend 

[plick27]

Fantastic grouping Dean.

Great job keeping it intact.

[ArchangelDM]

19 minutes ago, plick27 said:

Fantastic grouping Dean.

Great job keeping it intact.

Thankyou Plick27

 

lots of nice comments about keeping the grouping together 

 

- Dean 

[Kurt Barickman]

Nice group from A/1/2! I love that book and wondered what happened to his items.

 

Congrats!

 

Kurt

[ArchangelDM]

9 minutes ago, Kurt Barickman said:

Nice group from A/1/2! I love that book and wondered what happened to his items.

 

Congrats!

 

Kurt

Thanks Kurt 

had you read the book before seeing the items 

 

- Dean 

[jmd62]

Simply amazing! Thanks for sharing it along with all the information. 

[ArchangelDM]

44 minutes ago, jmd62 said:

Simply amazing! Thanks for sharing it along with all the information. 

 

That’s very kind 

 

Thankyou 

 

[cperkins510]

Wow, congratulations! His book is one of my favorites. A great read for sure and a remarkable service history. Your display does great justice to Mr. Rogal and his service. Very, very nice.

[ArchangelDM]

5 minutes ago, cperkins510 said:

Wow, congratulations! His book is one of my favorites. A great read for sure and a remarkable service history. Your display does great justice to Mr. Rogal and his service. Very, very nice.

Im humbled by your comment 
 

Thankyou 

 

yours

Dean

[Kurt Barickman]

Yes I have had the book for years and I was a member of the 2nd Marine Division Association and was the historian for the Minnesota Chapter for years before it folded.

 

Kurt

[1canpara]

Wow! Amazing grouping Dean! Well done on keeping it together, to have it split up would have been criminal!