Appendix C: Marine Task Organization and Command List1

A. Wake Atoll (7-23 December 1942)2

Marine Detachment, Wake
CO Maj James P.S. Devereux
1st Defense Battalion Detachment
CO Maj James P.S. Devereux
5-Inch Artillery Group
CO Maj George H. Potter
Battery A 1stLt CLarence A. Barninger
Battery B 1stLt Woodrow W. Kessler
Battery L 2dLt John A. McAlister
3-Inch Antiaircraft Group
CO Capt Bryghte D. Godbold
Battery D Capt Bryghte D. Godbold
Battery E 1stLt William W. Lewis
Battery F (Prov) MG Clarence B. McKinstry
Separate Batteries
Battery G Capt Wesley McC. Platt
Battery H 2dLt Robert M. Hanna
Battery I 2dLt Arthur A. Poindexter
Marine Fighter Squadron 211
CO Maj Paul A. Putnam

B. Philippine Islands (7 December 1941-6 May 1942)3

4th Marines (Reinforced)
CO Col Samuel L. Howard
ExO Col Donald Curtis
R-1 Capt Robert B. Moore
R-2 1stLt Robert F. Ruge (to 24Dec)
  LtCol George D. Hamilton (from 25Dec)
R-3 Maj Frank P. Pyzick
R-4 Maj Reginald H. Ridgely, Jr. (to 3Jan)
  Maj Carl W. Meigs (from 4Jan)
HqCo Capt Robert Chambers, Jr. (WIA 6May)
SerCo Maj Max W. Schaeffer (WIA 6May)
1st Battalion, 4th Marines
CO LtCol Curtis T. Beecher
ExO LtCol Samuel W. Freeny (WIA 29Apr)
Bn-1 Capt Golland L. Clark, Jr.
Bn-2 Capt Golland L. Clark, Jr.
Bn-3 LtCol Samuel W. Freeny (WIA 29Apr)
Bn-4 1stLt Ralph R. Penick
HqCo 1stLt Golland L. Clark, Jr. (to 25Dec)
  Capt Lewis H. Pickup (from 26Dec)
A Co Maj Harry C. Lang (KIA 5May)
  Capt Lewis H. Pickup (from 5May)
B Co Capt Paul A. Brown (WIA 4May)
  1stLt Allan S. Manning (from 5May)
D Co Capt Noel O. Castle (KIA 6May)
BnResCo 1stLt Robert F. Jenkins, Jr.
2nd Battalion, 4th Marines
CO LtCol Herman R. Anderson
ExO Maj John J. Heil
Bn-1 1stLt Hugh R. Nutter (to 28Dec)
  Capt Lloyd E. Wagner (from 29Dec)
Bn-2 1stLt Hugh R. Nutter (to 28Dec)
  Capt Lloyd E. Wagner (29Dec-6Jan)
  1stLt Sidney F. Jenkins (from 7Jan)
Bn-3 Maj John J. Heil
Bn-4 Capt Austin C. Shofner
HqCo 1stLt Austin C. Shofner (to 4Jan)
  Capt Lloyd E. Wagner (from 5Jan)
E Co Maj James V. Bradley, Jr.
F Co Capt Lloyd E. Wagner (to 28Dec)
  Capt Clyde R. Huddleson (from 29Dec)
H Co Capt Benjamin L. McMakin (WIA 26Mar)
BnRes Co Capt Austin C. SHofner
3rd Battalion, 4th Marines
CO LtCol John P. Adams
ExO Maj Andrew J. Mathiesen
Bn-1 Capt George R. Weeks (to 31Dec)
  Capt John W. Clark (from 1Jan)
Bn-2 Capt William F. Prickett
Bn-3 Maj Andrew J. Mathiesen
Bn-4 Maj Carl W. Meigs (to 4Jan)
  Capt Roy L. Robinton (from 5Jan)
HqCo Capt George R. Weeks (to 31Dec)
  Capt John W. Clark (from 1Jan)
I Co Maj Max Clark (WIA 24Apr, 29Apr)
K Co Capt John W. Clark (to 31Dec)
  Maj George R. Weeks (from 1Jan)
L Co 2dLt Willard D. Holdredge (to 23Dec)
  1stLt Howard L. Davis (24-31Dec)
  Capt Willis T. Geisman (from 1Jan, WIA 20Apr)
M Co Capt Ted E. Pulos
BnRes Co 1stLt Clarence E. Ban Ray
4th Battalion (Provisional), 4th Marines
CO Maj Francis H. William (WIA 29Apr, 6May)
Bn-1 Capt Calvin E. Chunn, USA (WIA 6May)
Bn-2 Capt Calvin E. Chunn, USA (WIA 6May)
Bn-3 1stLt Otis E. Saalman, USA
Bn-4 Ens John McClure, USNR (WIA 6May)
Q Co Capt Paul E. Moore, USA
R Co Capt Harold E. Dalness, USA
S Co Lt Edward N. Little, USN (WIA 6May)
  1stLt Otis E. Saalman, USA (from 6May)
T Co Lt Bethel B. Otter, USN (KIA 6May)
  Capt Calvin E. Chunn, USA (from 6May, WIA 6May)
Regimental Reserve
CO Maj Stuart W. King (to 17Feb)
  Maj Max W. Schaeffer (from 18Feb, WIA 6May)
O Co Capt Robert Chambers, Jr. (WIA 6May)
P Co 1st Lt William F. Hogaboom

C. Midway Islands (4-5 June 1942)

6th Defense Battalion (Reinforced)
CO Col Harold D. Shannon
H&S Battery Capt William P. Spenser
22d ProvMarCo 1stLt George E. Metzenthin
23d ProvMarCo Capt Boyd O. Whitney
5-Inch Artillery Group
CO LtCol Lewis A. Hohn
H&S Battery LtCol Lewis A. Hohn
Battery A Maj Loren S. Fraser
Battery B Capt Rodney M. Handley
Battery C Capt Donald N. Otis
7" Battery Capt Ralph A. Collins, Jr.
7" Battery Capt Harold R. Warner, Jr.
3"/50 Battery Capt Jay H. Augustin
3"/50 Battery Capt William R. Dorr, Jr.
3-Inch Antiaircraft Group
CO Maj Charles T. Tingle
H&S Battery MG Maurice C. Pulliam
Battery D Capt Jean H. Buckner
Battery E Maj Hoyt McMillan
Battery F Capt David W. Silvey
Battery G (S/L) Capt Alfred L. Booth
Machine-Gun Group
CO Maj Robert E. Hommel
H&S Battery 2dLt George K. Acker
.50 Cal Battery Maj William E. Boles
.50 Cal Battery Capt Edwin A. Law
3-Inch Antiaircraft Group, 3d Defense Battalion
CO Maj Chandler W. Johnson
H&S Battery Maj Chandler W. Johnson
Battery D Maj William S. McCormick
Battery E Maj James S. O'Halloran
Battery F Capt Arnold D. Swartz
Battery K (37mm) Capt Ronald K. Miller
Battery L (20mm) Capt Charles J. Seibert, II
2d Raider Battalion Detachment
CO Capt Donald H. Hastie
Company C Capt Donald H. Hastie
Company D 1stLt John Apergis
Marine Aircraft Group 22
CO LtCol Ira L. Kimes
H&S Squadron 1stLt Charles F. Hurlbut
VMF-221 Maj Floyd B. Parks (MIA 4Jun)
  Capt Kirk Armistead (from 4Jun)
VMSB-241 Maj Lofton R. Henderson (MIA 4Jun)
  Maj Benjamin W. Norris (MIA 4Jun)
  Capt Marshall A. Tyler (from 4Jun)

D. Guadalcanal (7 August 1942-8 February 1943)4

First Marine Division (Reinforced)
Division Headquarters (7Aug42-8Dec42)
CG MajGen Alexander A. Vandegrift
ADC BriGen William H. Rupertus
CofS Col William C. James (to 21Sep)
  Col Gerald C. Thomas (from 21 Sep)
D-1 Col Robert C. Kilmartin, Jr. (to 21Sep)
  Maj James C. Murray, Jr. (from 22Sep)
D-2 LtCol Frank B. Goettge (MIA 12Aug)
  LtCol Edmund J. Buckley (from 14Aug)
D-3 LtCol Gerald C. Thomas (to 20Sep)
  LtCol Merrill B. Twining (from 21Sep)
D-4 LtCol Randolph McC. Pate (to 21Oct)
  LtCol Raymond P.l Coffman (21Oct-25Nov)
  LtCol William S. Fellers (from 26Nov)
HqBn(Orgd 2D) LtCol Edwin J. Farrell
1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion
CO LtCol Walter W. Barr
1st Aviation Engineer Battalion (18Sep42-8Feb43)
CO Maj Thomas F. Riley
1st Engineer Battalion (7Aug42-22Dec42)
CO Maj James G. Frazer (to 24Oct)
  Maj Henry H. Crockett (from 25Oct)
1st Medical Battalion (7Aug42-22Dec42)
CO Cdr Don S. Knowlton, MC (to 14Dec)
  LCdr Everett B. Keck, MC (from 15Dec)
1st Parachute Battalion (7Aug42-18Sep42)
CO Maj Robert H. Williams (WIA 7Aug)
  Maj Charles A. Miller (8Aug-5Sep)
  Capt Harry L. Torgerson (6-8Sep)
  Maj Charles A. Miller (9-17Sep)
  Capt Harry L. Torgerson (from 18Sep)
1st Pioneer Battalion (7Aug42-22Dec42)
CO Col George R. Rowan (to 19Sep)
  Maj Robert G. Ballance (from 20Sep)
1st Raider Battalion (7Aug42-16Oct42)
CO Col Merritt A. Edson (to 20Sep)
  LtCol Samuel B. Griffith, II (from 22Sep, WIA 27Sep)
  Capt Ira J. Irwin (from 27Sep)
1st Service Battalion (7Aug42-22Dec42)
CO LtCol Hawley C. Waterman
1st Special Weapons Battalion (7Aug42-22Dec42)
CO LtCol Robert B. Luckey (to 15Oct)
  Maj Richard W. Wallace (from 16Oct)
1st Tank Battalion, Forward Echelon (7Aug42-22Dec42)
CO Maj Harvey S. Walseth
1st Marine Regiment (7Aug42-22Dec42)
CO Col Clifton B. Cates
1st Battalion LtCol Lenard B. Cresswell
2nd Battalion LtCol Edwin A. Pollock (to 22Sep)
  LtCol William W. Stickney (from 24Sep)
3rd Battalion LtCol William N. McKelvey, Jr.
5th Marine Regiment (7Aug42-9Dec42)
CO Col Leroy P. Unit (to 19Sep)
  Col Merritt A. Edson (from 21Sep)
1st Battalion LtCol William E. Maxwell (to 28Aug)
  Maj Donal W. Fuller (30Aug-11Oct)
  Maj William P. Thyson, Jr. (12Oct)
  Maj William K. Enright (13-23Oct)
  Maj William P. Thyson, Hr. (24-30Oct)
  Maj William K. Enright (from 31Oct)
2nd Battalion LtCol Harold E. Rosecrans (WIA 11Sep)
  Capt Joseph J. Dudkowski (11-17Sep)
  LtCol Walker A. Reves (18-24Sep)
  Capt Joseph J. Dudkowski (25-30Sep)
  Maj David S. McDougal (from 1Oct, WIA 8Oct)
  Maj William J. Piper, Jr. (8-11Oct)
  Maj Lewis W. Walt (from 12Oct)
3rd Battalion LtCol Frederick C. Biebush (to 21Sep)
  Maj Robert O. Bowen (from 22Sep)
7th Marine Regiment (18Sep42-5Jan43)
CO Col James B. Webb (to 19Sep)
  Col Amor LeR. Sims (from 20Sep)
1st Battalion LtCol Lewis B. Puller (WIA 8Nov)
  Maj John E. Weber (9-17Nov)
  LtCol Lewis B. Puller (from 18Nov)
2nd Battalion LtCol Herman H. Hanneken (to 17Nov)
  Maj Odell M. Conoley (18-28Nov)
  LtCol Herman H. Hanneken (from 29Nov)
3rd Battalion LtCol Edwin J. Farrell (to 21Sep)
  LtCol William R. Williams (from 24Sep)
11th Marine Regiment (7Aug42-22Dec42)
CO BriGen Pedro A. del Valle
1st Battalion LtCol Joseph R. Knowlan (too18Oct)
  LtCol Manly L. Curry (18Oct-27Nov)
  LtCol Donovan D. Sult (28Nov-20Dec)
  Maj Lewis J. Fields (from 21Dec)
2nd Battalion LtCol Edward J. Hagen (to 19Oct)
  Maj Forest C. Thomson (20-30Oct)
  Maj Lewis A. Ennis (1-5Nov)
  Maj Forest C. Thomson (6-11Nov)
  Maj Lewis A. Ennis (12-30Nov)
  Maj Forest C. Thomson (from 1Dec)
3rd Battalion LtCol James J. Keating
4th Battalion LtCol Melvin E. Fuller (to 26Oct)
  Maj Carl G.F. Korn (27--31Oct)
  Capt Albert H. Potter (from 1Nov)
5th Battalion LtCol Eugene H. Price (to 30Oct)
  Maj Noah P. Wook, Jr. (from 1Nov)
2nd Raider Battalion (4Nov42-17Dec42)
CO LtCol Evans F. Carlson
3rd Barrage Balloon Squadron (8Sep42-8Feb43)
CO Capt Robert C. McDermond
3rd Defense Battalion (7Aug42-8Feb43)
CO Col Robert H. Pepper (to 28Nov)
  LtCol Harold C. Roberts (29Nov-11Jan)
  LtCol Samuel G. Taxis (from 12Jan)
5th Defense Battalion, Detachment A (8Sep42-8Feb43) Redesignated 14th Defense Battalion, 15Jan43
CO LtCol William F. Parks (to 5Dec)
  Col Galen J. Sturgis (from 5Dec)
9th Defense Battalion (30Nov42-8Feb43)
CO Col David R. Nimmer (to 2Feb)
  LtCol William J. Scheyer (from 3Feb)
Second Marine Division
Division Headquarters, Advance Echelon (4Jan43-8Feb43)
CG BriGen Alphonse De Carre
CofS Col George F. Stockes
D-1 Maj Lawrence C. Hays, Hr. (to 5Feb)
  Capt Percy H. Uhlinger (from 6Feb)
D-2 Maj Thomas J. Colley
D-3 LtCol John H. Coffman (to 21Jan)
  LtCol Jesse S. Cook, Jr. (from 21Jan)
D-4 Maj George N. Carroll
2nd Special Weapons Battalion (7Aug42-8Feb43)
CO LtCol Paul D. Sherman (to 8Jan)
  Maj Guy E. Tannyhill (9-12Jan)
  LtCol Paul D. Sherman (from 13Jan)
2nd Marine Regiment (7Aug42-31Jan43)
CO Col John M. Arthur
1st Battalion LtCol Robert E. Hill (WIA 11Nov)
  Maj Wood B. Kyle (from 11Nov)
2nd Battalion LtCol Orin K. Pressley (to 14Dec)
  Maj Ewart S. Laue (from 14Dec)
3rd Battalion LtCOl Robert G. Hunt
6th Marine Regiment (4Jan43-8Feb43)
CO Col Gilder D. Jackson, Jr.
1st Battalion LtCol Russell Lloyd
2nd Battalion Maj Raymond L. Murray
3rd Battalion Maj William A. Kengla
8th Marine Regiment (2Nov42-8Feb43)
CO Col Richard H. Jeschke
1st Battalion LtCol Miles S. Newton (to 22Nov)
  LtCol Joseph P. McCaffery (from 23Nov)
2nd Battalion LtCol John H. Cook, Jr.
3rd Battalion LtCol Augustus H. Fricke
10th Marine Regiment (7Aug42-8Feb43)
1st Battalion
(4Nov42-8Feb43)		 LtCol Presley M. Rixey
2nd Battalion
(4Jan43-8Feb43)		 Maj George R.E. Shell
3rd Battalion
(7Aug42-8Feb43)		 LtCol Manly L. Curry (to 17Oct)
  LtCol Donovan D. Sult (18Oct-27Nov)
  LtCol Manly L. Curry (from 28Nov)
2nd Aviation Engineer Battalion (30Jan43-8Feb43)
CO Maj Charles O. Clark
11th Defense Battalion (17Jan43-8Feb43)
CO Col Charles N. Muldrow
Marine Air Units
1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Headquarters Detachment (3Sep42-8Feb43)
CG MajGen Roy S. Geiger
CofS BriGen Louis B. Woods
W-1 LtCol Perry O. Parmelee (to 20Nov)
  Capt James G. Hopper (21Nov-20Dec)
  LtCol Thomas G. Ennis (from 21Dec)
W-2 LtCol John C. Munn
W-3 Col Lawson H.M. Sanderson (to 31Dec)
  Col Christian F. Schilt (from 1Jan)
W-4 Col Christian F. Schilt (to 31Dec)
  LtCol Albert D. Cooley (from 1Jan)
HqSn-1 Capt Herman J. Jesse
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Forward Echelon (26Dec42-8Feb43)
CG BriGen Francis P. Mulcahy
CofS Col Walter G. Farrell
W-1 2dLt Robert E. Coddington
W-2 LtCol Elmer H. Salxman
W-3 LtCol Joe A. Smoak (to 29Jan)
  LtCol William C. Lemly (from 30Jan)
W-4 LtCol Franklin G. Cowie
HqSn-2 Maj William K. Snyder
Marine Aircraft Group 14 (16Oct42-8Feb43)
CO LtCol Albert D. Cooley (to 17Dec)
  Col William O. Brice
HqSn-14 Capt Claude J. Carson, Jr. (to 17Nov)
  Capt Stanley M. Adams (from 18Nov)
SMS-14 Maj Arthur R. Stacey
Marine Aircraft Group 23 (20Aug42-4Nov42)
CO Col William J. Wallace
HqSn-23 MG Harland W. Bond (to 24Oct)
  LtCol Charles L. File (from 25Oct)
SMS-23 2dLt Joseph A. Pawloski
Marine Aircraft Group 25, Advance Detachments (3Sep42-8Feb43)
CO LtCol Perry K. Smith
HqSn-25 Maj Leonard W. Ashwell (to 17Nov)
  Capt Dave J. Woodward, Jr. (from 18Nov)
SMS-25 Maj Leonard W. Ashwell (to 23Dec)
  Capt Ralph R. Yeaman (from 24Dec)
Marine Fighter Squadron 112 (2Nov42-8Feb43)
CO Maj Paul J. Fontana (to 31Dec)
  2dLt Alexander A. Case (1-6Jan)
  Maj Paul J. Fontana (from 7Jan)
Marine Fighter Squadron 121 (2Oct42-28Jan43)
CO Maj Leonard K. Davis (WIA 11Nov, to 16Dec)
  MG William F. Wilson (17-31Dec)
  Maj Donald K. Yost (from 1Jan)
Marine Fighter Squadron 122 (12Nov42-8Feb43)
CO Capt Nathan T. Post, Jr. (to 21Nov)
  Capt James R. Anderson (22Nov-10Dec)
  2dLt John F. Tenvole (11-23Dec)
  Maj Elmer E. Brackett, Jr. (24-29Dec)
  Capt Nathan T. Post, Jr. (30Dec-11Jan)
  Maj Elmer E. Brackett, Jr. (from 12Jan)
Marine Fighter Squadron 123, Flight Echelon (3Feb43-8Feb43)
CO Maj Edward W. Johnston
Marine Fighter Squadron 124, Flight Echelon (3Feb43-8Feb43)
CO Maj William E. Gise
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 131 (11Nov42-8Feb43)
CO LtCol Paul Moret (to 20Nov)
  Capt Jens C. Aggerbeck, Jr. (from 21Nov)
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 132 (1Nov42-19Jan43)
CO Maj Joseph Sailer, Jr. (KIA 7Dec)
  Maj Louis B. Robertshaw (from 7Dec)
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 141 (23Sep42-17Jan43)
CO Maj Gordon A. Bell (KIA 14Oct)
  1stLt Wortham S. Ashcroft (from 14Oct, KIA 8Nov)
  1stLt Robert M. Patterson (8-11Nov)
  2dLt Walter R. Bartosh (12-17Nov)
  Maj George A. Sarles (18Nov-16Dec)
  Capt Claude A. Carlson, Jr. (from 17Dec)
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 142 (12Nov42-8Feb43)
CO Maj Robert H. Richard
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 144, Flight Echelon (5Feb43-8Feb43)
CO Capt Roscoe N. Nelson
Marine Utility Squadron 152, Flight Echelon (21OCt42-8Feb43)
CO Maj Elmore W. Seeds
Marine Photographic Squadron, Flight Echelon (10Nov42-8Feb43)
CO LtCol Elliot E. Bard
Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Flight Echelon (17Aug42-21Nov42)
CO LtCol Harold W. Bauer (KIA 14Nov)
  Maj Frederick R. Payne, Jr. (from 14Nov)
Marine Fighter Squadron 223 (20Aug42-16Oct42)
CO Maj John L. Smith
Marine Fighter Squadron 224 (30Aug42-2Nov42)
CO Maj Robert E. Galer
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 231, Flight Echelon (30Aug42-14Nov42)
CO Maj Leo R. Smith (to 18Sep)
  Capt Ruben Iden (from 19Sep, KIA 20Sep)
  Capt Elmer G. Glidden, Jr. (from 20Sep)
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 232 (20Aug42-2Nov42)
CO LtCol Richard C. Mangrum
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 233 (25Dec42-8Feb43)
CO Maj Clyde T. Mattison (to 19Jan)
  Capt Elmer L. Gilbert (from 20Jan)
Marine Scout-Bomber Squadron 234, Flight Echelon (28Jan43-8Feb43)
CO Maj William D. Roberson
Marine Observation Squadron 251 (19Aug42-8Feb43)
CO LtCol John N. Nart (to 29Oct)
  LtCol Charles H. Hayes (30Oct-30Nov)
  Capt Ralph R. Yeaman (1-7Dec)
  Maj William R. Campbell (8-10Dec)
  Maj Joseph N. Renner (from 11Dec)
Marine Utility Squadron 253 (3Sep42-8Feb43)
CO Maj Harold A. Johnson (to 11Oct)
  Maj Henry C. Lane (from 12Oct)

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Table of Contents ** Previous Appendix (B) * Next Appendix (D)

Footnotes

[1] Unless otherwise noted names, positions held, organization titles, and periods of service were taken from the muster rolls of the units concerned held in the Diary Unit, FilesSec, RecsBr, PersDept, HQMC. Officers are shown in the highest rank held during the period that they were assigned to the positions indicated.

[2] Because of the incomplete nature of the muster rolls of the Wake Detachment, reference has been made to research conducted by LtCol R.D. Heinl for The Defense of Wake (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1947) in order to complete this listing.

[3] After 28Feb42, no muster rolls reached HQMC from the 4th Mar and information presented after that period was taken from the comments of survivors on draft listings and the few existing records of the regiment's actions on Corregidor.

[4] Unit commanders are listed only for those periods when their units are entitled to battle participation credit as indicated by the dates below unit designations. In the case of Marine air units, many of which participated inthe battle as flight or advance echelons only, the unit commander who was actually in the Guadalcanal area is shown where muster rolls reveal this information.

Transcribed and formatted for HTML by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation