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#1: Help finding U.S. Marine WW2 Author: Bungarra, Location: Murchison region, West Australia

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:02 am
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I was wondering if any one can lead me in the right direction finding a service record for a U.S. marine during WW2

As a kid there was a picture of a U.S. serviceman on my grandparents mantel piece... pride of place

In the 60's as a kid I asked my grandfather who he was... turns out they billetted him & some mates during the war

When I asked where he was now.. my grandfather said he died at one of the islands.. got both his legs blown off..

End of story so... its been bugging me for years. I rang my uncle today who is 80 odd. He gave me some more information but it doesnt piece together, or I'm looking at the wrong place..

His name was Bill Rhodes (I guess William) from Pennsylvania. a good college athlete, basketball

Supposedly in the 5th Marine Division and died on the island of Pellieu (dont know the correct spelling)

When I look up the 5th marine division on Wiki... there is mention of Iwo Jima but not Pellieu.

My uncle said they would do a tour & then come back.

He said a mate of his was Fred Strang a sergeant cook, who survived the war but now deceased.

Its something to go on but confusing.. can anyone here point me in the right direction

This was in Melbourne Australia, my grandmother as was all the family greatly upset when they found out the news

Many thanks

Bungarra

#2: Re: Help finding U.S. Marine WW2 Author: sample,

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:57 pm
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Bungarra wrote (View Post):

I was wondering if any one can lead me in the right direction finding a service record for a U.S. marine during WW2

As a kid there was a picture of a U.S. serviceman on my grandparents mantel piece... pride of place

In the 60's as a kid I asked my grandfather who he was... turns out they billetted him & some mates during the war

When I asked where he was now.. my grandfather said he died at one of the islands.. got both his legs blown off..

End of story so... its been bugging me for years. I rang my uncle today who is 80 odd. He gave me some more information but it doesnt piece together, or I'm looking at the wrong place..

His name was Bill Rhodes (I guess William) from Pennsylvania. a good college athlete, basketball

Supposedly in the 5th Marine Division and died on the island of Pellieu (dont know the correct spelling)

When I look up the 5th marine division on Wiki... there is mention of Iwo Jima but not Pellieu.

My uncle said they would do a tour & then come back.

He said a mate of his was Fred Strang a sergeant cook, who survived the war but now deceased.

Its something to go on but confusing.. can anyone here point me in the right direction

This was in Melbourne Australia, my grandmother as was all the family greatly upset when they found out the news

Many thanks

Bungarra

in my opinion you could ask for help here, where i've seen many similar requests

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewforum.php?f=113&sid=e0a912a93ffb6dd63fc93ec7cdc59264

regards

m.

#3: Re: Help finding U.S. Marine WW2 Author: johnsilver, Location: Florida

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:40 pm
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The 5th US Marine was at Iwo. My uncle Samuel "Sammy" Moore (mothers brother) mentioned it before he passed away in the early 70's. Don't remember much. but that I do. Don't recall any other skirmishes they went through, like other uncles, or my dad who lived much longer than that uncle who were in WW2.

Might have some of his old letters here somewhere, doubt it would do any good for what you are seeking Bungarra. Such a long shot with many of the Vets so long in the tooth, or gone.

Edit:

Should have said that was his US marine Division.

#4: Re: Help finding U.S. Marine WW2 Author: caruso, Location: Livorno

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:00 pm
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Hi Bungarra! I don't know if that would be usefull but why not tryng to directly ask to the USMC? You could write them a letter and see what happens...

#5: Re: Help finding U.S. Marine WW2 Author: tedy28,

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:35 pm
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http://brothersinbattle.net/html/tribute.html
http://community.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/Fortitudine%20Vol%2031%20No%204.pdf

#6: Re: Help finding U.S. Marine WW2 Author: Bungarra, Location: Murchison region, West Australia

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:23 pm
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Thank you for alll your replies

As I'm finding out the information I have received is somewhat circumspect

I will have to contact my uncle again & see if I missed something in his recollections...

Tedy28... gave me a great link on Peleliu with names of the marines, unfortunately Bill Rhodes is not among them.

I will post a link from this site that is well worth reading.. it is a platoon commanders recollection of the battle.

http://brothersinbattle.net/html/peleliu_chapter.html

Cheers

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