This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shane Laemmel, MR3
to remember
McGillicuddy, Terry, CAPT.
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Contact Info
Home Town Aberdeen, WA
Last Address Arbuckle, Colusa County, California 95912
Date of Passing Dec 27, 2009
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
On December 7, 1941, the battleship USS Pennsylvania was in the Navy Yard drydock, with the destroyers USS Cassin and USS Downes just ahead of her. According to the action reports, at about 7:57 explosions were heard on the end of Ford Island and with a second explosion, the realization came that an aerial attack was in progress. The battleships came under attack but the Pennsylvania was out of reach of the torpedo bombers.
General quarters was sounded and the crew proceeded to battle stations, some breaking locks off the ready ammunition boxes when necessary. Shortly after 8:00 she became one of the first ships to commence firing at the Japanese planes as her anti-aircraft guns were put into action.
Other Comments:
Terry's first duty was in PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38), where he was first J.O. in turret two and plotting room officer on 7 December 1941. The flagship of the Pacific Fleet received the SecNav Unit citation and he received a Naval Letter of Commendation.
He participated in bombardments of Attu, Kiska, Makin, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and Saipan; the ship received the SecNav Unit Citation and he received a Navy Letter of Commendation. For extinguishing an ammunition fire in Turret I lower handling room/magazine (while in the Majuro Atoll), Terry was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism.
Marshall Islands Operation (1944)/Battle of Kwajalein Atoll (Operation Flintlock)
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
February / 1944
Description The Battle of Kwajalein was fought as part of the Pacific campaign of World War II. It took place from 31 January-3 February 1944, on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Employing the hard-learned lessons of the battle of Tarawa, the United States launched a successful twin assault on the main islands of Kwajalein in the south and Roi-Namur in the north. The Japanese defenders put up stiff resistance, although outnumbered and under-prepared. The determined defense of Roi-Namur left only 51 survivors of an original garrison of 3,500.
For the US, the battle represented both the next step in its island-hopping march to Japan and a significant moral victory because it was the first time the Americans had penetrated the "outer ring" of the Japanese Pacific sphere. For the Japanese, the battle represented the failure of the beach-line defense. Japanese defenses became prepared in depth, and the battles of Peleliu, Guam, and the Marianas proved far more costly to the US.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
February / 1944
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories Marshall Islands operation: Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls 29 January ? 8 February 1944 31 January ? 8 February 1944
For extinguishing an ammunition fire in Turret I lower handling room/magazine (while in the Majuro Atoll), Terry was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism.