Commander William H Anderson, Hero of Leyte Gulf

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Commander William H Anderson was born in Westerly, Rhode Island February 22, 1921. Anderson joined the Navy as an Aviation Cadet prior to Pearl Harbor and after the start of the war, was assigned to the USS Santee, where he served with VGS-29. His squadron was assigned convoy security duty, searching for German Submarines between the US and Casablanca and supported the North Africa landings in November, 1942.

Commander Anderson

Anderson as Asst. Air Officer of the USS Oriskany

VF-213 shortly after the Korean War

 After returning from his first tour in the Atlantic, VGS-29 was re-designated VT-29 (Navy Fixed wing Torpedo Squadron), flying the TBM-1 Avenger torpedo bomber. Anderson was the third in command of his squadron as they were assigned to the light aircraft carrier USS Cabot, CVL-28; they would go on to see some of the heaviest air action of World War Two.

Anderson would fly his first combat mission in the Pacific on October 12, 1944, carrying out a single-handed assault on 7 Japanese Sea Trucks. he followed up the next day with an attack on 2 more Sea Trucks. His third combat mission of the Pacific would be an infamous day in history. As the morning of October 24, 1944 began, the perfect storm was brewing off the cost the the Philippine Islands. Tens of thousands of Army troops were landing on the beaches of the Philippines and what may very well be the largest naval battle in the history of the world was beginning off shore. Many heroes lived and died during the three-day battle, and Commander (then Lieutenant) Anderson was right in the thick of everything. VT-29, along with another torpedo squadron and their Air Group's fighter squadron's were assigned to attack the Imperial Battleship Musashi. Anderson was flying with his three plane section along with the unit's CO, Commander McPherson and with Lt Skidmore.

"Bill" Anderson Standing front row 1st from left side with Pilots of VT-29

VT-29 squadron insignia

After the other Torpedo squadron and the fighters made their run, Anderson and his squadron had their turn. Anderson went into his dive and scored a direct hit - one of three torpedoes from VT-29 to make a direct hit on the Musashi. The Musashi, the head of the Japanese fleet during the battle capsized and sank the next day with nearly half of her 2300 man crew lost. For his heroism during this day, Anderson was awarded the nation's second highest decoration, the Navy Cross. His citation read "for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy, on 24 October 1944, Lieutenant Anderson participated in torpedo attacks which severely crippled an enemy Battleship Task Force. The action, in which he was an integral part, successfully accomplished in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft barrages, removed a serious thread to our ground forces. His outstanding courage and determination in the face of great danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service"

Anderson's squadron attacking the IJN battleship Musashi, October 24, 1944

 Anderson would go on to fly twenty more combat missions in the Pacific and earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses for his daring missions. His second DFC was for "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of Kyushu As pilot of a carrier-based torpedo plane on 7 April 1945, he led the squadron in a highly successful torpedo attack which severely crippled several of the enemy's capitol warships and ended the fears of a counterattack on our newly won positions on Okinawa. Flying through very heavy anti-aircraft and heavy gun fire, he launched his attack against the assigned target, one of the enemy's newest and largest battleships, and although the result of his torpedo's run was not observed it is highly probable that it was one of the many hits scored. His courageous leadership and professional skill was at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service".  

damage to the USS Cabot from Kamikaze attack November, 1944

Anderson decided to make the Navy his career and would continue to serve for 27 years. His service would include flying with VA-175, VF-213 (which he was the squadron's first Commanding Officer) and VA-126.   With VF-213, Anderson piloted the F2H Banshee, an early Navy single engine jet fighter. Anderson served briefly in the Korean War and then went to the Naval Post Graduate School.

Commander Anderson retired from the Navy in 1968 and spent much of his retirement working with the USS Cabot association and served for many years as the association president. 

McPherson, Anderson and Skidmore, October, 1944

Captain James M. Murray, Mustang Marine

Murray's enlistment photograph, 1943

Captain James M. Murray, O-51919 was born in Detroit Michigan, February 4th, 1924. Murray's personal life has been a mystery thus far, but his military service took him to some of the most god-forsaken parts of the world.

Murray enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 19 on March 11th, 1943. he went to boot camp at The Marine Recruit Depot in San Diego California then to the School of Infantry. Upon completion he was assigned to the 24th Replacement Battalion and sailed for the Pacific and arrived in New Zealand where he was assigned to man a Browning Automatic Rifle with L Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division. L/3/6 had just completed its first combat operations of WWII at Guadalcanal and Murray was among the replacement troops during the refit for its next operation. 

The next battle for 6th Marines would be the worst combat of the Pacific War to date. The operation was code named "Galvanic", the Island was Betio in the Tarawa Atoll. 3/6 was a floating reserve and as casualties mounted in the first day of battle, Murray's unit was given orders to move into the battle. L/3/6 would join the battle late, landing on Green Beach. The campaign was brief but 3/6 would make the final assault across the remainder of the island in the final day of battle. The 6th Marines remained on the Atoll for the next week "mopping up" and removing the last of the Japanese defenders. In all, only 17 Japanese soldiers were captured alive during the battle.

After Tarawa, the 2nd Marine Division was sent to a barren part of the Big Island of Hawaii and began the long process of recuperating from battle.  For Murray's Battalion, the next battle would be much most costly. Operation Forager as it was officially known, would bring the Marines to the Mariana Island chain. The prize of the Mariana's was the recapture of Guam, but for the 2nd Marine Division, their battle would be the heavily fortified island of Saipan. 3/6 was assigned to land at Red Beach 1 on the early morning of June 15th, 1944. Early opposition was heavy and within three hours of landing the 6the Marine regiment had suffered 35 percent casualties, including the loss of two battalion commanders. In the middle of the night on first day of the battle the Japanese pushed its first mass counterattack against the lines of 3/6. Murray's battalion fought through the night and with the aid of 2nd Marine Tank Battalion broke the Japanese attack. When the sun rose over 700 enemy lay dead in front of Murray's battalion.

Tarawa - photo credit to the Marine Corps Museum

Murray and his unit fought on for the next 24 days and as the battle was coming to an end, it was his unit that was given the task of mounting the final assault. 3/6 began the final assault on Maniagassa Island in Tanapag Harbor at the cost of one casualty - and with that final fight, the battle for Saipan was over. While my research has not been conclusive, I believe that it was in this battle that Murray was wounded.

The battle for Tinian was equally important in the capture for the Mariana's. Tinian, the island that would eventually be the location for the departure of the two atomic bomb flights, was only three miles from Saipan. The 2nd Marine Division would only have days to rest and refit from the grueling campaign on Saipan before the launch of the next battle. Murray would spend the next 14 days fighting and by the end of the battle, his battalion commander, LTC Easley, would be killed.

For the final campaign of World War two, Murray would take a back seat ride. The 6th Marines was assigned to be part of a diversionary false assault during the battle of Okinawa. The 2nd Marine Division feigned an assault on the South Eastern part of the Island while the Main assault took place on April 1, 1945.

Following World War Two, Murray remained in the Marine Corps and served first in the reserves then went back to Active Duty, returning to the 2nd Division as the Korean War broke out. Murray went to Officer's Candidate School in 1951 and in 1953 went to Japan, serving with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines in Japan. Murray would serve briefly with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in 1954 in Korea during the late stages of the Korean War. Murray would continue to serve in staff and school positions at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego and at the Marines' Cold Weather school at Bridgeport, California until he left the Marines with the rank of Captain in November, 1955.

Corporal George E. Ware, Combat Medic

Men of the 78th - Euskirchen, Germany March, 1945

Corporal George E. Ware,
ASN 34609577 was born in Cleveland County, North Carolina in 1923 and enlisted in the Army March 16, 1943. Ware grew up on a farm but was chosen to attend a course to become a combat medic. Ware joined the 309th Regimental Combat Team of the 78th "Lightning" Division, where he would continue to serve for most of the war. Cpl Ware was destined to fight a great battle. But he would not fight with a weapon. His fight would be to retrieve our wounded and give first aid on the battle field under fire.

George E. Ware

309th Combat Team wins Meritorious Citation

the 78th Division's path through Europe

Cpl. Ware proved a leader amongst his peers and became the medical section leader for his company; a position usually reserved for Sergeants or above. Ware's unit moved into the line in December, 1944 and prepared for their first combat just before Christmas, 1944.

Ware's green Section leader stripe

 As the 309th moved into battle, the pushed through Belgium then into Germany just before the Battle of the Bulge commenced, relieving the 1st Infantry Division. Ware's first combat was along the Siegfried Line. They continued to fight through Germany until they reached the Rhine. The 78th became one of the first units to cross the Ludendorff Bridge and continued pushing through Germany on the road to Berlin until the German Army finally capitulated. Somewhere during the 125 days of combat, Ware was wounded in action. Ware was recognized for his actions during his 4 campaigns in Europe, receiving a citation from Major General Edwin P Parker, JR. stating "Corporal Ware has fulfilled his duties as medical section leader in an outstanding fashion at all times, and has repeatedly volunteered to assist in the evacuation of the wounded from the front"Ware finished his occupation duty with the 29th Division, serving on duty in the Bremen Enclave. After the war, George Ware returned to North Carolina and had two daughters opened an auto body shop with his brother which he operated until his retirement. Ware passed away in June, 2009

 Brigadier General Clair W. Shisler, USMC
was an incredible American, Marine and Hero. I hope everyone enjoys reading about his story. It has been a very rewarding research project!  Brigadier General Clair W. Shisler first enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1931. His enlisted career was not all that remarkable other than the fact that his first assignment was as the orderly for the CO of the recruit depot, Captain William J Mosher, a hard-charger from the "Old Corps" who had had service in China, Haiti, Nicaragua and received 2 Silver Stars, a CdG and a Purple Heart in the first war. Shisler spent the next six years as an instructor with the Marine Corps Institute.

In 1937 he was selected and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and following the Basic School joined the Marine Detachment on the USS Honolulu. A year of sea duty was followed by his first infantry assignment as the Platoon Commander, Machine Gun Plt, 2/5. With war on the horizon, he was assigned to HQ/2/7.

When war was declared in December, 1941 he was immediately assigned to Marine Amphibious Corps Atlantic Fleet under General H.M Smith - a position that he would hold for the next two years, quickly progressing through the ranks from 1st Lt to Major and progressing from an adjutant to the Assistant Chief of Staff of VAC. As part of Smith's Command group he saw combat at Kiska and Tarawa and was awarded the Commendation Ribbon for his staff work.

He received his first field command when he was made the Battalion CO of 3/22 in December, 1943 and shortly thereafter led his new battalion in combat at Eniwetok. He was recommended for but initially refused his first Silver Star Medal, citing that he would only accept his medal once the Marines whom he had recommended had received their citations. He did eventually receive his award and his citation reads in part:

"... Aggressively leading his assault companies against strongly fortified enemy positions, Major Shisler constantly exposed himself to enemy machine-gun and mortar fire in directing the hazardous operations, and by his aggressive fighting spirit in destroying the hostile forces, was directly instrumental in capturing Eniwetok Atoll."

He continued to lead his Marines at Guam where he was wounded on July 27th. For his actions at Guam he received the Bronze Star Medal with "V"  His citation reads in part:

"... During the assault and seizure of Crote Peninsula, Lieutenant Colonel Shisler's Battalion advanced across he neck of the peninsula and extended the regimental assault lines to Apra Harbor. Although wounded he continued to direct the advance of his battalion against fanatical enemy resistance and was directly responsible for closing all land avenues of escape to enemy forces."

LTC Shisler just after the end of WWII

Now serving with the newly formed 6th Marine Division, Lt Colonel Shisler led the Marines of 3/22 in the last battle of World War Two, at Okinawa. I have read accounts of the Marines under his command who chastised his persistence to keep pushing forward regardless of casualties and enemy resistance. I can only imagine the difficulty that Shisler must have had in ordering his young Marines to keep pushing the attack uphill under withering fire in the face of a fanatical enemy. His leadership of 3/22 earned him his third award for valor, a second Silver Star Medal  for gallantry in action on 17 June 1945, which reads in part:

"... when his Battalion was assigned the mission of seizing three prominent terrain features, Lieutenant Colonel Shisler courageously led his forces in the face of heavy hostile fire to assault and capture Kunishi Ridge, the first objective. Immediately reorganizing his Battalion, he moved out to seize Mezado Ridge and, when his unit was pinned down and had suffered heavy casualties, fearlessly braved the intense enemy fire to go forward and rally his forces to renew the attack and gain their second objective. Again reorganizing his unit for the assault on Hill Number 69, the third assigned objective, he gallantly led his men in the attack to seize and hold the heavily defended ridge. Displaying determination, fortitude and devotion to duty throughout Lieutenant Colonel Shisler directed his Battalion in breaking the core of Japanese resistance, thereby enabling the Regiment to carry out the remainder of its mission quickly and effectively."

Brig. Gen. Shisler late in life

Following the end of the Okinawa campaign and the end of hostilities, Shisler stayed with the Division on occupation duty in China before joining the Editorial board of the Marine Corps Gazette in 1946. Shisler served in various staff assignments through 1952. A brief tour in Japan and Korea completed Shisler's Marine Corps Service before he retired in July, 1953. Colonel Clair Shisler was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General, on the basis of being commended for valor in combat.

 Lieutenant Robert E Keeton,a Harvard Graduate and is well known in the legal community. He was appointed to the District Court of Mass. by President Carter.
During WWII, Keeton was a Communications Officer and served a tour as the Assistant Flag Secretary on the staff of the Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Following that assignment he was posted as the Chief Communications Officer aboard the U.S.S. Liscome Bay. Keeton was one of 272 survivors when she was sunk off Tarawa by a Japanese Submarine on November 24, 1943. After recovering from shrapnel wounds and burns, he was posted on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (Adm. Chester Nimitz) and served as his Assistant Flag Secretary. For services to Nimitz's staff, Keeton was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

 His official Bronze Star citation: "For meritorious service in connection with operations against the enemy while serving on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas as Assistant Flag Secretary from May 1944 to September 1945. During this period the volume of official business conducted through correspondence more than tripled, and it was through his initiative, foresight and untring efforts that means were developed to meet the changing situation, and enable the Secretarial Section to maintain a high standard of administrative efficiency. Lieutenant Keeton constantly gave the highest degree of attention to the manifold details inherent in correlating the functions of the secretarial sections at the Advance Headquarters and Pearl Harbor Headquarters. He was often called upon to discharge the responsibilities of the Flag Secretary during that officer's absence and this he did in an outstanding manner. His meritorious service and devotion to duty were at all times keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." 

Keeton's photograph from his Official Personnel File

District Judge Robert Keeton

2nd Lieutenant Joseph J. Sexton, USMCR

 2nd Lieutenant Joseph J. Sexton was born in Brooklyn, NY. When he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 he was sent to Platoon Leaders Course where he was commissioned upon graduation. he joined C Co. 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment as a post Guadalcanal replacement and was assigned as 2nd Platoon Leader. Sexton landed his platoon on Betio Island of the Tarawa chain and was wounded early in the fighting. He continued to push forward with his Marines, refusing to withdrawal. Early the next day, Lt. Sexton fell by the gunfire of a Japanese sniper. His body was buried on the Island, and like so many others who died there, the location of his burial was lost and he was not able to be returned home to his widow and three year old daughter. For his gallantry during his two days of combat, Lt. Sexton was Posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal for heroism. His official citation is below.

 The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Joseph J. Sexton (MCSN: 0-19587), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as platoon leader attached to the First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during the assault on Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, 20 and 21 November 1943. Despite painful wounds received after leaving the boat as he battled his way toward the beach, Second Lieutenant Sexton, coolly and courageously organized his platoon, pushed his way inland in the face of intense enemy resistance. Having successfully established a line, Second Lieutenant Sexton, after hazardous operations, took note of his injuries. The next day, while preparing for an assault against the strongly entrenched enemy, he was killed by Japanese fire. Second Lieutenant Sexton's heroic leadership and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

The below account is from one of the officers that served alongside sexton:
"One of the things I tried to do in wandering about on my own was to find the place where Joe Sexton had been killed. He had been on my mind from the time I had undertaken this journey. In war few can make it psychologically without the buddy system. This is the basic unit of survival—one, two, or three comrades drawn together by factors quite beyond explanation and wholly unrelated to the common interests, ideas, and backgrounds that bring people together in peacetime. This comradeship does not often last when the war is over, but the memory of its deep, mysterious sense of identification is never lost or diminished.

Joe, Bill, Brownie, and I had been thrown together on the voyage out as replacements. On arrival in New Zealand the replacement officers were all crowded together in a hot, stuffy room for assignment to the various units of the division. In the confusion I became separated from the other three. When the captain in charge finished making the assignments, he discovered he had left me out. What am I going to do with you? his expression asked. I simply pointed across the room and, trembling inside with anxiety, told him, I want to go with them. He understood, and with them I went.

JOE WAS THE ONLY one of us to die at Tarawa. I hadn’t seen it happen myself and only had Bill Howell’s account vaguely in the back of my mind. I finally settled for what I thought ought to be the place and stood there for a long time, feeling curiously empty of emotion. Our reaction to his death had set in after we were sent to rest camp in Hawaii a few weeks later. Up to that time none of us had talked about it. Then, late one afternoon, our baggage from New Zealand caught up with us. Someone had two or three bottles of whiskey in his trunk, and in the midst of unpacking we began to drink. The binge, a collective rage really, lasted several hours and ended with our smashing what little furniture we had managed to scrounge or build, hurling books, clothing, and equipment all over the tent, and fighting one another with staves drawn from the ends of our cots, as though we were medieval ascetics scouring the devil from our bodies.


One of us was missing.

Joseph J. Sexton, 2d lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Wife, Veronica. Three-year-old daughter, Tinker. He had died trying to get what was left of his platoon across the airstrip. I tried at least twenty times to write to his widow and had torn up every letter. His death didn’t seem just unnecessary or wrong, but unreal. We staggered and crawled out into the night to get him back. It was raining heavily and very dark. We wept, we cried out, and there on our knees in the muck, we pleaded for him to come back.

And we never mentioned him again."