It’s an itty-bitty island. If “nowhere” was a place, this would be just about in the middle. Its name is strange and initally hard to pronounce. But for the survivors of the battle fought over this 13-square-mile chunk of coral, the memories are black.
Furthermore, the circumstances surrounding the battle for Peleliu (pell-li-loo) make it one of the most controversial battles fought in the Second World War. In 1944, the Japanese military was falling backwards towards Japan and the U.S. was preparing to retake the Philippine Islands. General Douglas MacArthur believed strongly that Peleliu, one of the most heavily defended islands in the area, needed to be neutralized to protect his right flank. Admiral Chester Nimitz also believed the island needed to be taken, but moreso because he favored it in his plans to drive the Japanese from Taiwan.
But then the Navy attacked the island in March of 1944 with carrier aircraft to great success. Nearly all the aircraft parked there were destroyed, along with much of the infrastructure and the runways. Peleliu became, for all intents and purposes, a toothless giant…a powerful garrison that posed very little long-range threat.
By mid-summer, Nimitz had begun to question the necessity of taking Peleliu, but MacArthur held firm. President Roosevelt, hearing both plans, sided with MacArthur making good on his promise to return to the Philippines…and Peleliu. And so the 1st Marine Division departed and, on September 12th, the U.S. Navy began its three-day pre-invasion bombardment. But after the shelling stopped on the 13th, Rear Admiral Oldendorf said there would be no third day of bombardment, because the battleships, cruisers, and dive-bombers had run out of targets.
In fact, the Japanese emplacements were so well-dug and well-fortified (coral is extremely tough) that the U.S. Navy inflicted little or no damage on anything. And while the 1st Marine Division maintained a force larger than the roughly 11,000 defending Japanese, fewer than 10,000 would make the initial landings.
So, when the Marines hit the beaches on September 15, 1944, they were fighting more troops who were on higher ground and had far better protection…and were nearly untouched after enduring everything the Navy could hurl at them. Marine General William Rupertus predicted a battle lasting three or four days. Oh, how wrong he would be!! Soldier-for-soldier, Peleliu would be the bloodiest battle in the Pacific War.
Recommended Reading: Brotherhood of Heroes – Sloan’s book on Peleliu, much like his recent work on Okinawa, is terrific.
I AM A VETERAN OF THE BATTLE OF PELELIU AND WAS WITH A SPECIAL NAVAL COMBAT COMMUNICATION UNIT. NO RECORD EXIST OF THIS UNITS IN NAVAL RECORDS OR ITS PARTICIPATION DURING THIS BATTLE. ALL ATTEMPS TO FIND A RECORD OF THIS UNIT HAS ENDED IN FAILURE. THE FULL NAME OF THIS UNIT WAS “COMBAT COMMUNICATIONS UNITE 43-E”AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE PELELIU OPERATION FROM SEPT 15, 1944 TO APRIL 1945. I LANDED ON PELELIU ON THE MORNING OF SEPT 15, 1944. CAN YOU HELP TO SOLVE THIS MYSTERY.
THANK YOU
SAMUEL L. LOPRESTO
Samuel,
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the excellent question. I’ve gone through the sources (books by Bill Sloan and Derrick Wright) I used for the pieces I’ve written so far about Peleliu, and haven’t found anything concerning “Combat Communications Unit 43-E”.
I’ve done a couple of web searches as well but, to this point, have come up empty. I’ll recheck Volume XII of Morison’s History of United States Naval Operations in World War II…maybe I’ll find something.
We’ll both continue to search and, if either of us finds something, we can post our discovery.
And, of course, thank you for your service to our country. Peleliu was, by all accounts, a really nasty battle.
Regards,
Joel
My father was a radio operator with communication unit 43 E on Pelillu.
He can not remember any names of others except for one nickname guy called “Mouse Green”
I have been trying to find a lists of others that spent time with his unit.
Currently my father has a blood disease called MDS. It is low red blood cells that will possibly turn to cancer. We are interested in finding others posted with him to inquire about their health as well.
If anyone has names, photos or other information that may help us please respond.
Jacqueyn daughter of Jack Jones, Chattanooga Tennessee
Hi Jacquelyn,
My dad was w/that unit, too. Does he remember a guy named Eldon Beckman? He was an Electrician’s mate. I’m trying to find info about other men that were there. My dad will be 89 in October. Thanks so much! Lisa E.
Hello Ms Jone: Thank you for your letter about your father. I am very sorry to hear that he is not well – Most of us are now very old and do have problems. I am sorry but I do not remember the name Jack Jones. I do remember names like Paul Burke, Duffy (our chief) – The young man next to me later in the same tent that played the guitar and was from San Fernando Valley in California. I believe our captains name was Smith and I do know that our executive officer was hit in his knee and had to be evacuated. We were a unit of approximately 100 Navy men and were self-contained with our own mess unit and supplied by the Marine Units – we were really on our own and I witnessed the tank battle on the airfield the night the Japanese attached the Marine tank unit. Why there is no record of this unit in Navy records is unknown to me. I have tried many times to find out about my unit but all the Navy records list is the words GROPAC 8, Navy base Peleliu. The GROPAC stands for GROUND PACIFIC of which I do not have any more info. I do hope this helps a little for you father – I hope he does better health-wise in the future.
Sincerely
Samuel L. Lopresto
Mr. Lopresto,
My dad was in Unit 43-E and was an electrician’s mate–his captain was named “Smith”, too. His friends were Don Bengaurd, Robert P. Wilkinson, John A. Beck, Glen Bell, Ralph Bepko, (?)McCamey, called “Beachhead” that was in the invasion of Tarawa, and also Peliliu. He said that the radio and electrician mates were in a big tent above the hole where the transmitter trucks were. There was an RT named Finkle. The CPO of the radiomen was a chunky guy named Chickomasov or something like that–the heat and humidity got to him really bad and he was sent back to the US. He said that the GROPAC came in and built up the naval base after the invasion. Did you know any of these guys? My dad’s name is Eldon Beckman from Wessington Springs, South Dakota. Isn’t it just awful, just AWFUL, that there are no records of this unit or Peleliu is so unknown? Thank you so much for your information!
My dad put an ad in the American Legion magazine about 5 years ago, looking for guys that were in that unit, and he had one reply.
Lisa Edwards
edweezee@yahoo.com
Wessington Springs, South Dakota 57382
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have been trying to find out what my father experienced during WWII. He passed away many years ago, and when we would ask him questions about his war experiences he wouldn’t tell us much. I got his war records and read that he was assigned to GROPAC 9 Mobile Communication Unit 43 E. He said he was in a communications unit on Peliliu. His name was Ildefonso de la Garza from McAllen, TX. Some people called him Leo. Any information would be helpfull.
Yours truly,
Ildefonso de la Garza, Jr.
Dear Mr. Garza: I just ran across you letter about your father being assigned to a mobile unit called communications unit 43-E. I have been trying for several years to find any mention of this unit during the battle of Peleliu. I was in the same unit that was formed in Honolulu early in 1944. I was assigned to go ashore on Sept 16, l944 with one other member of that unit. The rest followed at a later date. I am surprised that you were able to receive a full record of your fathers participation at Peleliu as I have never been able to receive a full documentation of that units participation during that campaign from the Navy Dept. Can you tell me when he arrived at Peleliu as I was relieved from duty and left the island in 1945 for return home and discharge. Was your father a radioman with the unit?? Thanking you in advance ./.. Samuel L. Lopresto
Dear Sir,
My Dad’s service record states that he reported to ABRD, Iroquois Pt. Oahu, T.H. (July 15, 1944). He crossed the equator (Sep 4 ‘ 44). He qualified as a shellback (Aug 28 1944). There is a sentence ” ————— Participated in the assault and occupation of PELELIU island” The date is left blank. The unit was changed to U. S. Naval Communication Unit No. 450 (7 June 1945). He was transferred on September 15, 1945. He reported to Comm. Unit #423 Yokosuka, Japan. There are several names listed a Lt. CDR J. A. Smith, Capt. F.H. Kelley, Comdr. B.B. Wilson, Jr., En J.H. Pullis, Comdr. B. Naugle, En J. E. Unger, Capt. A.L. Madden, Lt. Cmdr. D. R. Curry and J.l. Ketner.
There is also mention of a FRAY-161, C.O. ABCCTC. I hope this helps. There are parts of his record blanked out or left blank.
Thank you and i wish you the best.
Al de la Garza
Dear Mr De la Garza: Thank you so much for the Info on comm unit 43-E. I cannot understand why the Navy has not sent me the info I requested – What they did send was mostly blanked out and the ONLY WORDS listed are “Naval Station Peleliu: I left the unit several month after we landed on Peleliu for home and discharge as I had enough POINTS at the time. What info you have sent me is more than I have ever received and I am grateful for your help. I do know that I and one other member (Paul Burke) went ashore on Peleliu at D plus 1 but do not remember when the entire unit arrived. Could you be so kind to Email me (lopresto@flash.net) the address you used to request the info on this unit??? I read one other small Email that also mentioned another member of the unit that was sent to Japan also. I believe these were members that did not have enough points to go home but I was not aware that they were sending them to Japan also. One question, “did your father pay the guitar????
Sincerely
Samuel L. Lopresto
LISTED is
Hi. My dad volunteered 2 tours of duty during WW11. He was in Guadalcanal, and fought in Peleliu, Nicodemus,(Don’t know if I’m spelling this name right.) AND Okinawa than he and his buddies volunteered going to China after the war was over to disarm the Japs who were brutalizing the Chinese civilians. He was in the 1st marine Div. 5th Reg. 3rd Bat. and was with S & L company. I would love to hear from ANYONE who was with his group and especially who may have known him then. He is totally deaf from being in DEMOLITIONS during the war, but he wears hearing aids and with difficulty can hear a little if there is no noise in the background when someone is talking to him and he TOO would love to hear from ANYONE he served with during the war. His name is Calvin Keaton and he is 84 years old now. He lives in Fort Pierce, Fl. and is a wonderful man. You may have known him by the name CAL. Thanks and God bless you and all of the brave soldiers who have and are serving our great nation to preserve our freedom.
Dear Diana: Thank you for the detailed WW2 listing for your father. Unfortunately, I was with a small Naval communication detachment called Mobile comm unit 43-E assigned to the Peleliu operation. I did not have the pleasure of knowing your father or other marines on Peleliu as most of my time was occupied operating from the blockhouse that was the Japanese administration bldg that was captured the second day of landing. I am very sorry to hear that your father has difficulty hearing today and I do hope he can live a long quiet life. There are very few of the Peleliu veterans still alive (I am 85 years old now) and for all of them I can only say God bless to all
Samuel L. Lopresto
Dear Mr. Lopresto,
My grandfather was in Peleliu, and he was in the Dog unit. His name is Harold Vincent Buker Jr. He is 85 also and I just wanted to know if you knew anybody from the dog unit.
Thanks
Keely
Thanks for your nice and thoughtful reply. Wow! It must have been horrible being captured the second day of landing. Would you want to elaborate on how this happned and what happened afterwards? I am sure many people are very interested in hearing what happened to you and all of your buddies. We all too wish you a long, quiet and healthy life with those you love and God bless you and all those who have served our country as you and my father have. I hope you are receiving the respect you surely deserve for the sacrifices you have made for our freedom. I for one thank you from the bottom of my heart for your brave service to our country.
Hi everyone im kaine ross i love hearing about the second world war and read alot about the war in the pacific if i was of age and lived in your era i would have deffinatly fought along side DIANA’S father and all the other marines at peleliu im sure your dad is or was a great man god bless him and the men that fought and died for the sevice of their country their cause was just if you have any stories about the war email me them i will be very greatful thank you email:kderockeross@yahoo.co.uk
cant wait to hear back from you
Hello Everyone! I’m a little late to the conversation.
My father, Lawrence Wilkinson repaired RADAR on Peleliu.
His team picked up the signals of enemy barges approaching the island at night.
He recalled reporting the RADAR detection and his surprise that there was no US Navy attack ordered. Instead, hours later the enemy made their way through the mangrove swamp and attacked the awaiting Marines.
I assume he made his report via your field telephones.
Chris,
My father (Herbert J. Smith) from Hackettstown, NJ also repaired/maintained radar on Peleliu. I do not know what date he arrived there, but I do know he was stuck there long after the war was over.
Hello to all, I stumbled upon this forum while researching for information about my grandfathers time in the Navy. As posted on here there is a problem we all have in common, no specific information regarding certain units that our family members served in. I have been researching family genealogy for the past 27 yrs since I was 12, I suggest that you all request copies of service records for yourselves or family members it will help, they can be a bit hard to decipher but with persistence you will find the information you need. Why are there no unit histories for these units? The answer is this from my own research. Many Navy Units were considered part of the Navy’s Amphibious Force and NOT part of the Landing Force, so they were not usually listed in the orders of battle for landings they were involved with.
I have recently started some new projects regarding Veterans, I am collecting as much information on Veterans as I can & am compiling short biographies, genealogies on them, everything I do is volunteer work that I plan to publish at some point, if anyone would like to contact me I would be more than happy to do something with your family members military information.
Contact me at this email address: veterangenealogyproject@gmail.com
thank you all
J. O. Wathan Jr
Cpl USMC
1992-1996
Hello,
I am honored to read the stories of the brave men and women who served our country. I will be visiting Peleliu with my nine year old daughter in a couple of weeks. She will be doing a research project for her class. If there are any living Peleliu veterans that she can interview, please let us know.
Kelly
kellya3283@yahoo.com,
My family and I did visit Peleliu and did a tour of the island. It was very humbling to see everything. The lady that provided the tour for us, also gave us some pictures that were taken during the battle of Peleliu. Some of the pictures have the names of the soldiers in them. I will be happy to try to help anyone locate a picture of their loved on (if I have one). We have almost 2000 pictures (so, it might take a while).
Kelly (kellya3283@yahoo.com)
My father Clarence Adkins PHM2c served with the 1st Marine Charlie medical co. on Peleliu . He and his friend Salty supposily drove 9 ambulances on to the beach sometime around Sept. 21st. Dad was on the island until the end of the war. He was envolved in the care of the U.S.S. Indianapolis survivors. Is there anyone who remembers Clarence Adkins and the 9 blue ambulances with Gro-Pac9 Hospital #10 painted on the doors. Anything will help bring my dads story together.
I have stumbled across this site and and am so pleased to read all the posts.
My dad was on Peleliu; he was in the Navy.
Dad never talked much about Peleliu; I think he was haunted by it, to some extent.
He did speak of the Japanese being hidden in the caves and hard to smoke out. He said there was no shade or trees much on the island and it was constant heat and sun.
He spoke some of the flamethrowers that were used.
Only in the last 3 years of his life did he mention the name GROPAC 9.
My dad was Pink Swink and he was from North Carolina, not an officer or decorated soldier.
My grandfather, TJ Sanders, served in WW II in GROPAC 9, USNBH #20. He passed away in 1998. I have a picture of him on Pellilu. Any other info or pics would be great. lightfootchristine@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Sir,
My father was at Peleliu, also Cape Glouchester and Guadacanal, with the Service and Supply Company, 1st Marine Division. His name was Floyd Keen and was from New Orleans, LA. He passed many years ago but passed onto us his letters back home and some photos while “over there.” Just wondering if you knew him. Thank you so much for your service.
My Dad’s last duty station before being separated April 1946 was Navy Base Hospital 20. He was a hospital apprentice First Class. He didn’t talk about his time in the Navy, but he did keep in touch with 3 of his buddies. I’m finding where he was by looking at his service record and reading the notes on his photos. His records say he was in GROPAC 9. Is there any information about the medical units there?