US Marine Corps - BATTLE OF MIDWAY, killed and died, June 1942

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UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS CASUALTIES


Part 2 - BY DATE, JUNE 1942, Battle of Midway

Major Lofton Henderson USMC, killed at the Battle of Midway, after whom the Guadalcanal airfield was named (USMC, click to enlarge) return to US Navy Casualties, WW2
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This list of Marine casualties - those who died or were killed - is compiled from the USMC Casualty Cards (mc), supplemented by other sources - click for source abbreviations. For unit abbreviations, see the 'Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations", OPNAV 29-P1000 made available online by Hyperwar.

More information on each casualty is being added to:


The role of the Marine Corps is widely known, but excerpts, in italics with grey background, from the official "Chronology of the United States Marine Corps 1935-1946" (mh) by Carolyn A Tyson have been added. These provide a background to the casualties suffered.





JUNE 1942


Wednesday, June, 3, 1942

BATTLE OF DUTCH HARBOR, ALASKA

CORBIN, Andy, 309370, MarBks, NAS, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, killed in action (mc)



RICHARDS, James Allen, 303926, CoE, 2ndBn, 7thMar, 3rdMarBrig, Samoan Is, killed (mc)



Thursday, June, 4, 1942

MIDWAY: The Battle of Midway. The Japanese Striking Force launched the first attack wave against Midway; sea-plane hangers were set aflame and a large fire started in the fuel oil tanks on Sand Island, and Marine buildings including the powerhouse were destroyed on Eastern Island. Two groups of 12 and 13 planes from Marine Fighter Squadron 221 received heavy damage in an attempt to intercept the approaching force. Twenty-one Marine bombers together with aircraft from three U.S. carriers attacked the Japanese force; carriers Kaga and Soryu were sunk and Akagi and Hiryu set afire and later sunk by the Japanese. U.S. carrier Yorktown was severely damaged and abandoned     

BATTLE OF MIDWAY

USS Hornet CV-8, Marine Detachment
CUMMINGS, Fred Wilfred, Jr, Pfc, 311871, MarDet, USS Hornet, killed in action (mc)
HUMFLEET, Lowell Edward, Pvt, 316213, MarDet, USS Hornet, killed in action (mc)
IGNATIOUS, William Burt, PltSgt, 222784, MarDet, USS Hornet, killed in action (mc)

MIDWAY ISLAND FORCES

"Actions on June 4, 1942 included air-strike by VMSB-241 (but see note 1) against Japanese Striking Force; fighter-defense of Midway by VMF-221; and heavy anti-aircraft action by 6th Defense Battalion (reinforced). On Jun 5, VMSB-241 attacked and damaged Japanese cruisers retiring to westward."

..... 49 marines were killed in the defense of Midway. Marine Air Group 22 (MAG22) lost seven KIA and 35 MIA; 6th Defense Battalion lost seven KIA.

(extracts from "Marines at Midway", USMC Monograph, 1948) 

Notes:
1. On March 1st, Marine Aircraft Group 22 was organized on Midway from Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 231 and Marine Fighter Squadron 221 (mh)
2. The Marine Corps Casualty Cards list five units in MAG22 or 2ndMAW - HqSqn, VMF221, VMF222, VMSB231 and VMSB241.
3. Including those who died of wounds, the Casualty Cards appear to total 45 men killed or MIA, compared with the Monograph total of 49.

6th Defense Battalion
BENSON, William Wallace, Maj, 4225, Hq&SerBtry, 6thDefBn, Midway Is, killed in action (mc)
DUPES, Frank Lanute, Cpl, 274966, 3rdAAGrp, 6thDefBn, Midway Is, killed in action (mc)
plus two men died of wounds, on the 5th and 7th

Headquarters Squadron, 2ndMAW, including Major Henderson after whom the Guadalcanal airfield was named
BENSON, Thomas William, 2Lt, 9033, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
BROWN, Raymond Ralph, Pfc, 249584, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
BURKE, William Anthony, Pvt, 361522, Hq&SSqn22, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action (mc)
CAMPION, Kenneth Oscar, 2Lt, 9312, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
HENDERSON, Lofton Russell, Maj, 4084, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
HENNESSY, Daniel Joseph, Capt, 5356, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
MADAY, Anthony Joseph, Pvt, 363417, Hq&SSqn22, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
MAHANNAH, Martin Edward, 2Lt, 9397, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action (mc)
MARMANDE, James Hubert, 2Lt, 9307, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
MCCARTHY, Francis Paul, Capt, 6235, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
NORRIS, Benjamin White, Maj, 4382, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
PARKS, Floyd Bruce, Maj, 5006, HqSqn, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
STARKS, Henry Irvin, 2Lt, Pvt, 324422, HqSqn23, MAG23, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)

Fighter Squadron VMF-221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, defense of Midway Island
ALVORD, John Robert, Capt, 6020, VMF221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc),
BELANGER, Maurice Albert, Pfc, 311863, VMF221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action (mc)
HOLSBO, Robert Lawrence, Pfc, 302114, VMF221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action (mc)
LUCAS, John Dewitt, 2Lt, 9399, VMF221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
MADOLE, Eugene Procter, 2Lt, 7013, VMF221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
MOWERY, Robert Edward, Pfc, 308610, VMF221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action (mc)
SANDOVAL, William Bernard, 7539, VMF221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
ZUCKERMAN, Abraham, Pfc, 292275, VMF221, MAG22, 2ndMAW, killed in action (mc)

Fighter Squadron VMF-222, MAG22, 2ndMAW, defense of Midway Island,
CURTIN, Robert Edward, Capt, 5857, VMF222, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
LINDSAY, Ellwood Quayle, 2Lt, 7002, VMF222, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
PINKERTON, David Wills, Jr, 2Lt, 7535, VMF222, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
SWANSBERGER, Walter Wade, 2Lt, 7538, VMF222, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)

Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-231, MAG21, 2ndMAW, attack on Japanese Fleet
COLVIN, Edby Marshall, Pfc, 311250, VMSB231, MAG21, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
PIRANEO, Joseph Thomas, Pfc, 309271, VMSB231, MAG21, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
RAYMOND, Elza Lester, Sgt, 278634, VMSB231, MAG21, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
RECKE, Charles William, Sgt, 274208, VMSB231, MAG21, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)

Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-241, MAG22, attack on Japanese Fleet
EK, Bruce Henry, 2Lt, 7534, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
GRATZEK, Thomas John, 2Lt, 7506, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
HAGEDORN, Bruno Paul, 7480, 2Lt, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
RADFORD, Harry Norton, Pfc, 294811, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
REED, George Edward, Pfc, 313446, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action (mc)
REININGER, Lee Walter, Pfc, 277556, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
SMITH, Edward Oliver, Pfc, 296050, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
TWEEDY, Albert William, Jr, 2Lt, 7145, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
WARD, Maurice Andrew, 2Lt, 7993, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)
WHITTINGTON, Arthur Bryant, Pfc, 308292, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 5, 1943 (mc)



LITTLE, Joseph Dolson, 281666, CoA, 1stTrngBn, 1stMarDiv, New River, NC, accidental death (mc)



Friday, June, 5, 1942

BATTLE OF MIDWAY

Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-241, attack on Japanese cruisers
FLEMING, Richard Eugene, Capt, 6395, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, Midway Is, killed in action, declared dead June 6, 1943, awarded Medal of Honor (mc)
TOMS, George Albert, Pfc, 315481, VMSB241, MAG22, 2ndMAW, killed in action, declared dead June 6, 1943 (mc)

LOWE, Chauncey C, 287348, MGGrp, 6thDefBn, Midway Is, died of wounds (mc)



COX, Ethalmore Rogers, 168679, SerCo, 2ndMarBrig, Samoan Is, died (mc)



Saturday, June, 6, 1942

RIGNEY, Elbert Lee, 277242, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, POW-died (mc)

SAURBRIET, Ruben Benjamin, 269702, 5thArtyGrp, 2ndDefBn, Samoan Is, died (mc)



Sunday, June 7, 1942

BATTLE OF MIDWAY

CURRIE, Osa, 274570, 3rdAAGrp, 6thDefBn, Midway Is, died of wounds (mc)



Monday, June, 8, 1942

VAN TASSELL, James Lawrence, 378668, Hq&HqCo, RecrtDep, MarBks, Parris Island, SC, accidental death (mc)



Wednesday, June 10, 1942

CALLAND, John Raymond, 292566, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, POW-died (mc)



Thursday, June 11, 1942

OFFNER, John, 290640, CoE, 2ndBn, 2ndMar, Camp Elliott, Calif, accidental death (mc)



Friday, June, 12, 1942

LEITNER, Otto Joseph, 279819, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, POW-died (mc)



Saturday, June 13, 1942

DEAL, Marvin Eugene, 368330, MarBks, NAD, Iona Island, NY, drowned (mc)



Sunday, June, 14, 1942

NEW ZEALAND: The advance echelon of the 1st Marine Division, commanded by Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, arrived at Wellington from the U.S.

FRAZEE, Robert Blair, 323669, TrngSqn11, MAD, NTS, Chicago, Ill, died (mc)

FREEMAN, Richard Ellwood, 355867, MarAvnDet, NavTrngSch, Toledo, Ohio, accidental death (mc)
SHELTON, John Albert, 338892, MarAvnDet, NavTrngSch, Toledo, Ohio, accidental death (mc)



Monday, June 15, 1942

MERKEL, Alvin Jacob, 266518, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, POW-died (mc)

SHUTE, Edward Newell, 296986, BtryI, 3rdBn, 11thMar, MarBks, New River, NC, killed (mc)



Wednesday, June 17, 1942

MONTGOMERY, Recil Leon, 280980, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, POW-died (mc)

RIEGER, Philip Eugene, 394932, 5thRecrtDep, MCB, NOB, San Diego, Calif, died (mc)
THOMPSON, SR, Myron Ervin, 6029, WpnsCo, 1stBn, 5thMar, 1stMarDiv, Wellington, New Zealand, died (mc)



Thursday, June 18, 1942

HAVEL, Joseph, 281540, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, POW-died (mc)



Friday, June, 19, 1942

LANG, Walter Henry, Jr, 273941, VMF121, MAG12, 1stMAW, San Diego, Calif, accidental death (mc)
PIDSZUCK, Richard, 8680, VMG121, MAG12, 1stMAW, San Diego, Calif, accidental death (mc)

MORRIS, Harold Smith, 223723, MgGrp, 3rdDefBn, Midway Is, accidental death (mc)



Saturday, June 20, 1942

EVANS, Robert Fletcher, 10137, Hq&SerSqn14, MAG14, 1stMAW,  San Diego, Calif, accidental death (mc)
JAMELE, Francis Joseph, 295953, Hq&SerSqn14, MAG14, 1stMAW, San Diego, Calif, accidental death (mc)



Tuesday, June 23, 1942

LOONEY, Douglas Raymond, 280464, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, POW-died (mc)



Wednesday, June 24, 1942

KEARFUL, John Holland, 230747, MarBks, NYD, Washington DC, died (mc)
STAPLETON, Richard Douglas, 288648, Western Recruiting Division, Seattle, Washington, died (mc)



Thursday, June, 25, 1942

WASHINGTON: Admiral King, CominCh, directed CinCPac and ComSoPac to prepare for an offense against the Lower Solomons. Santa Cruz Island, Tulagi, and adjacent areas were to be seized and occupied by Marines under CinCPac.

HARDACRE, Frank Harrison, 97299, 1stGdCo, MarBks, NAS, Corpus Christi, Tex, died (mc)
JACOBES, William Barry, Jr, 371494, 4thRecrtBn, RecrtDep, MCB, San Diego, Calif, died (mc)
WILCOX, William Marion, 365123, MarBks, Navy Yard, Charleston, Carolina, died (mc)



Friday, June, 26, 1942


PACIFIC: Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, commanding the 1st Marine Division, received the initial warning order of a projected Guadalcanal-Tulagi landing 

GRANATI, Frank, 323666, MarBks, NPG, Dahlgren, Va, died of wounds (mc)
SEE, Humphrey Akin, 413815, 7thRecrtBn, Parris Island, SC, died (mc)

RYBARCZYK, Walter Mitchell, 352587, 155mmArtyGrp, 7thDefBn, Samoan Is, killed (mc)
TOLAND, Daniel Robert, 268268, CoB, 1stMarRdrBn, Samoan Is, accidental death (mc)



Saturday, June 27, 1942

BAUM, Benjamin George, 265672, POW&MPDet, HQUSMC, Washington DC, POW-died (mc)



Sunday, June 28, 1942

MORSE, Alfred Leslie, 413801, RecrtDep, Parris Island SC, died (mc)



Tuesday, June, 30, 1942

USMC: The active duty strength of the Marine Corps was 142,413-7,138 officers and 135,475 enlisted

PHILIPPINES


4thMar
ADRIAENSEN, Joseph Aloysius, 201983, CoI, 3rdBn, 4thMar, Philippine Is, died of wounds (mc)



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revised 4/6/16