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.
LOL, I think I read this today, was on this site, which I bookmarked.
We think alike.
I’ll NEVER get my column written if I keep reading these interesting accounts of those who served there. I’ve had quite a history crash course today.
I tried to get Delbert to tell me about his experiences, and he did, little by little, tell me stories while we were fishing. The last couple of years he couldn’t talk about it without getting choked up.
He told me about the radio operator who was killed (he couldn’t remember his name, but could the details of the incident). He also told me about his Lt., who was strapped in a tree so he could fire a big gun from an elevated position, then was shot dead. Delbert really got choked up talking about this, so I didn’t push him for details. I wish now I had of asked more, as I want to honor his sacrifice with written words, but really need to get my facts straight and make sure I can connect any statements with factual history.
I have a copy of his citation for the Silver Star (dated Dec. 29, 1944) on my desk as I type this. It is signed by Lt. Col., A.G.D., Adjutant General, Wesley U. Moran.
Delbert was an assistant squad leader when he made the decision to (with two others) cross the open terrain in the firefight and kill an enemy machine gun crew.
After reading today some of the details of those days on Angaur, I realize, more than ever, what a great man he was, and what horrors those men endured in battle.