Americal Division KIA Guadalcanal

[mkite93]

Here is the medal to a man who gave his life on Guadalcanal February 4 1943. Since were weeks away from this date I decided to do a posting to remember his service and sacrifice. Wright served with the Americal divisions 132nd infantry in F company. Interesting that on his grave marker it lists him as a private but everything else points to him being a sergeant. It appears he had service in the national guard prior to the war.  Also in my searching I have found two other Americal Purple Hearts from Guadalcanal posted on the forum years ago. One was killed the same day as this man the other several days later, the medal of the man killed days later the serial number of that Purple Heart is only 118 off from this one I would be curious to know how close the one who was killed the same day is. 
RIP SGT. Wright

[smwinter207]

Another F Company soldier. 

 

[3mxd]

It's a minor matter but Wright served in the 132nd Infantry as evidenced by his grave marker and also the application for the headstone/marker, not the 138th as the newspaper article states. The 138th was Missouri Guard based in Kansas City, MO. The 132nd was  Illinois Guard and based in Chicago area. He was from Peoria, not far from Chicago.

[mkite93]

Thanks smwinter207. There is the very medal I spoke of only 118 apart from Wrights medal. Now hopefully the Purple Heart to the soldier killed the same day resurfaces one day. I would love to know how far their numbers are apart can’t be very many. 

[Trevor Arendall]

Wow! I always love to see Army medals to guys at Guadalcanal. I have one to a guy that was KIA at Galloping Horse while serving in the 25th Infantry Division. Very nice medal, thank you for sharing!

[katieony]

Tough to find Army Guadalcanal Purple Hearts.  Thank you for sharing his story!

 

Mike