PowderMonkey,
I have been reminded of your post all day, as I have spent the entire day researching the 81st Wildcat Division (Company F) and their battles on Angaur Island in WWII. This is a challenge for me, as I am on dialup, and websites with graphics freeze my computer Grrrrr!!!!
That’s where my friend and fishing buddy (who died on Memorial Day at the age of 85) received his Silver Star for his heroic efforts on Sept. 23, 1944.
I write a monthly column for a regional magazine, and have a deadline for a column now. I am writing this one about the man who changed my life on fishing trips, and performed with exceptional gallantry as a sharpshooter one fateful day on an island far from his Tennessee home.
What a day!!! I think I have shed more tears reading this material today than I did last week during his funeral.
I am looking for some great quotes about Angaur to use in my column, and have found these harder to come by.
One thing I have learned today, we owe all of our veterans respect, and need to tell their stories every chance we can.
I have come across some great reunion sites today. Some of the personal posts by relatives looking for info on their loved ones killed on foreign soil are very moving.
God Bless your uncle. I have bookmarked lots of sites today and if you freepmail me info on your uncle I will share any I think might help you relocate his gravesite.
http://www.stitchershideaway.com/html/a-c.html and lots more.
AAGARD, Eugene J. 81st Division, 322nd Regiment. He was a Technical Sergeant when he was wounded on Anguar. He was eventually promoted to First Sergeant. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He resides in Levan. UT. http://www.stitchershideaway.com/html/a-c.html
ABREU, Joseph F. Abreu. 81st “Wildcat” Division. Lives in Massachusetts. Family contact: jabreu@adelphia.net
ASHLEY, Irvan H., Pvt. 81st Infantry, Company 323rd, deceased.
* BAILEY, Galen F., Tech Sergeant, 81st Infantry Division (Wildcats), 323rd Regiment, 1st Bn, Company I, 1st Platoon. Fought at Ulithi, Anguar, and Peleliu. Was severely WIA by Mortar fire on “Bloody Nose Ridge” at 4:00 PM on Oct. 28, 1944. He was awarded a full Athletic Scholarship as a Punter & Fullback to PENN STATE University, playing several seasons prior to entering the Service at the begining of the War. As of 2001 he is 82 years old and resides at RR#6,Towanda PA.18848. Family contact: Son Gary Bailey gfbailey@epix.net
* BATES, W.A. 81st Infantry Division (”Wildcats”), 321st Regiment (U.S. Army). Wounded at Peleliu by a Japanese bayonet to the leg. He was sent to Guadalcanal to recuperate. He was awarded the Purple Heart, which his grandson James now possesses. He survived the war but is now deceased. His grandson may be contacted by email: jpil@mindspring.com
BAYER, Arthur A., Pvt, 81st Infantry Division. After WW II, Arthur returned to Chicago, IL. He enjoyed life with family and friends, and maintained an upbeat attitude despite a battle with throat cancer. He died at the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home in Quincy, IL in 1986. My family will always remember Arthur as a devoted brother and uncle. If you knew Arthur, please contact me at your earliest convenience. My name is William Carey and I can be reached at careywj612@aol.com
BEECHINOR, Robert Michael Jr., Major, US Army, Battallion XO, 2nd Battallion, 323rd Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry (Wildcats) Division. Earned Bronze Star and CIB on Peleliu. Also engaged in action on Guadacanal, Tinian, Leyte, and Saipan. Retired from active duty as Colonel in 1964 (IG 4th Army, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas). Died of natural causes, October 3rd, 1997. Please contact his sons at will.beechinor@ci.austin.tx.us if you remember serving with him.
BENGTSSON, Charles Lewis. 81st Infantry Division, U.S. Army. Chuck was in the 154th Combat Engineers Bn., which cleared a landing strip for bombers on the small island of Anguar in the Palau group. While there, they were sent to assist Marines in their invasion of Pelelieu. After R & R in New Caledonia, his group was sent to the Philippine Islands, and then from there, they were headed to Japan when the A-bomb was dropped. After that, they were sent to Northern Japan. Chuck finished his service there, and returned to California in 1946. Chuck was drafted right out of high school. As of 10/99 Chuck is 75 years old and is in good health. He may be reached by email at Vbengtsson@aol.com
* BERKOWITZ, Irvin. PFC - 81st Division, 323rd Regiment. He was WIA on Peleliu on 10/23/44. The only info he ever relayed of his experience was that he was WIA by “friendly (mortar) fire” and that he was the only man to survive this incident out of 12 men. I believe he was an ammo bearer and was WIA on a “hill”. He was also the recipient of the Bronze Medal. He passed away in 1993 and I am searching for any info about his experience, or the experiences of the 323rd. Anyone with info, please respond to his grandson at rossad70@hotmail.com
+ BLAIR, Samuel “Buddy” Sylvester, PFC. 81st Infantry, 321st, Company B. He was from Kansas. Buddy was with five other men when an enemy grenade landed among them. Buddy kicked the grenade, saving the others, but received a mortal shrapnel wound to the head. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. Buddy was just 18 years old.