This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Behrens, William Wohlsen, RADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Lancaster, PA
Last Address Harrisburg, PA
Date of Passing Jun 27, 1965
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
During WWI, William Behrens served in the enlisted ranks as follows:
S1c - Section Base, Cape May, NJ from 6/6/1917 to 11/10/17
YN2 - USS Margo (SP-870) from 11/10/1917 to 12/10/1918
YN2 - USS Frances II (SP-503) from 12/10/18 to 9/3/1918
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Houston (CA-30)
General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0301 (November 30, 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain William Wohlsen Behrens (NSN: 0-55422), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. HOUSTON (CA-30), during enemy air attacks on the evening of 14 October 1944, off Formosa. When his ship was torpedoed, dead in the water and dangerously stricken, Captain Behrens coolly supervised the evacuation of excess personnel, directed effective damage control measures and supervised the ship's being placed in tow by another cruiser. Subsequently his ship was again torpedoed in enemy air attacks on 16 October 1944. Again his cool action and unflagging determination were an inspiration to his officers and men, contributing in a large part to his ship's continued retirement to safety. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Western Caroline Islands Operation/Battle of Peleliu
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the island of Peleliu, present-day Palau. U.S. Marines of the First Marine Division and later soldiers of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June–November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Major General William Rupertus, USMC—commander of 1st Marine Division—predicted the island would be secured within four days. However, due to Japan's well-crafted fortifications and stiff resistance, the battle lasted over two months. In the United States, it was a controversial battle because of the island's questionable strategic value and the high casualty rate, which exceeded all other amphibious operations during the Pacific War. The National Museum of the Marine Corps called it "the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines".
