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Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Masoner Jr., William John, LCDR USN(Ret).
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 24 October 1944, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. Intercepting several groups of enemy planes while leading his division in a long-range search for hostile aircraft, Lieutenant Masoner skillfully directed his planes in a determined onslaught and sent thirteen of the opposing aircraft flaming to the ground, personally accounting for six and sustaining no loss to his own formation. By his brilliant airmanship and indomitable courage and intrepid fighting spirit Lieutenant Masoner contributed materially to the infliction of considerable damage upon the enemy Japanese forces during this battle. His dauntless fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force: Serial 0763 (October 30, 1944)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), when he led his division of fighter bombers against a Japanese Fleet engaged by his task force in the Philippine Sea, on 25 October 1944. Pressing his run to a low level through intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Masoner made an accurate drop of his bomb and then strafed units of the Fleet so that their anti-aircraft fire was disrupted and thus materially assisted the torpedo and dive bombers in making hits all of which resulted in the sinking of a major enemy carrier. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Leading a division of fighter bombers against a Japanese Fleet engaged by his Task Force, Lieutenant Masoner pressed his run to a low level through intense anti-aircraft fire, made an accurate drop of his bomb and strafed units of the hostile Fleet, completely disrupting their anti-aircraft fire and materially assisting the torpedo and dive bombers in making hits which resulted in the sinking of a major enemy carrier. His superb flying ability, initiative and inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0572 (December 22, 1944)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 5 November 1944. Pressing his attack through intense anti-aircraft fire during a strike against an enemy heavy cruiser, Lieutenant Masoner skillfully maneuvered his fighter plane to disrupt the enemy fire and obtained two direct hits, contributing materially to the success of the group in sinking this hostile cruiser. The next day he overcame difficult cloud conditions to intercept and down an enemy aircraft, probably averting a suicide dive on one of his Task Group. His courage and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0572 (December 22, 1944)
Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign (1944)/Battle of Guam
From Month/Year
July / 1944
To Month/Year
August / 1944
Description Guam, ringed by reefs, cliffs, and heavy surf, presents a formidable challenge for an attacker. But despite the obstacles, on 21 July, the Americans landed on both sides of the Orote peninsula on the western side of Guam, planning to cut off the airfield. The 3rd Marine Division landed near Agana to the north of Orote at 08:28, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 LVTs, and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans, especially on the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, but by 09:00 men and tanks were ashore at both beaches. The 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing. Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where they were dropped by their landing craft. The men stationed in the two beachheads were pinned down by heavy Japanese fire, making initial progress inland quite slow.
US Marines move inland.
By nightfall, the Americans had established beachheads about 6,600 feet (2,000 m) deep. Japanese counterattacks were made throughout the first few days of the battle, mostly at night, using infiltration tactics. Several times, they penetrated the American defenses and were driven back with heavy loss of men and equipment. Lieutenant General Takeshi Takashina was killed on 28 July, and Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata took over the command of the defenders.
Supply was very difficult for the Americans in the first days of the battle. Landing ships could not come closer than the reef, several hundred yards from the beach, and amphibious vehicles were scarce. However, the two beachheads were joined up on 25 July, and the Orote airfield and Apra harbor were captured by 30 July.
The counterattacks against the American beachheads, as well as the fierce fighting, had exhausted the Japanese. At the start of August, they were running out of food and ammunition and had only a handful of tanks left. Obata withdrew his troops from the south of Guam, planning to make a stand in the mountainous central and northern part of the island. But with resupply and reinforcement impossible because of American control of the sea and air around Guam, he could hope to do no more than delay the inevitable defeat for a few days.
Rain and thick jungle made conditions difficult for the Americans, but after an engagement at Mount Barrigada from 2-4 August, the Japanese line collapsed; the rest of the battle was a pursuit to the north. As in other battles of the Pacific War, the Japanese refused to surrender, and almost all were killed. On 10 August, after three weeks of combat, organized Japanese resistance ended, and Guam was declared secure. The next day, Obata committed ritual suicide.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
July / 1944
To Month/Year
August / 1944
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories A surprise fighter strike on Saipan on 11 June virtually eliminated all air opposition over the island, then battered from the air for the next 5 days. On 16 June, Lexington fought off a fierce attack by Japanese torpedo planes based on Guam, once again to emerge unhurt, but sunk a third time by propaganda pronouncements. As Japanese opposition to the Marianas operation provoked the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19 June and 20 June, Lexington played a major role in TF 58's great victory the Marianas Turkey Shoot. With over 300 enemy aircraft destroyed the first day, and a carrier, a tanker, and a destroyer sunk the second day, American aviators virtually knocked Japanese naval aviation out of the war; for with the planes went the trained and experienced pilots without whom Japan could not continue air warfare at sea.
