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Contact Info
Home Town Los Angeles, CA
Last Address William "Bud" Waldon Cloud Murrieta, California. Interment at Riverside, CA
Date of Passing Jun 13, 2013
Location of Interment Riverside National Cemetery (VA) - Riverside, California
Marshall Islands Operation (1944)/Battle of Eniwetok Atoll (Operation Catchpole)
From Month/Year
February / 1944
To Month/Year
February / 1944
Description The Battle of Eniwetok was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought between 17 February 1944 and 23 February 1944, on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Naval bombardment of Eniwetok began on 17 February, and the 22nd Marine Regiment, commanded by Col John T. Walker, landed on Engebi Island, on 18 February at 08:43 the next day. Resistance was light, and the island was declared secure by 1450, though mopping-up continued through the next day. US losses included 85 dead and missing plus 166 wounded.
Intelligence suggested that the defenses on Eniwetok Island would be heavier than planned, though there was a comparatively preparatory bombardment before the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 106th Infantry Regiment went ashore at 0916 on 19 Feb., followed by the 3/22 at 1425. However, the Japanese soldiers had strong spider-hole positions, plus the Japanese concentrated their forces to the southwest, counterattacking the American flank, which forced the Americans to attack through the night. The island was not secured until 21 February. Americans were killed or missing and 94 wounded.
The mistake was not repeated at Parry Island. The battleships USS Tennessee and USS Pennsylvania and other ships delivered more than 900 tons of explosive onto the island. The 104th Field Artillery on eniwetok and the 2nd Separate Pack Howitzer Battalions on Japtan provided additional fire support. The 1/22 and 2/22 Marines landed at 0900 on 22 Feb. At 1930, the regimental commander radioed "I present you with the island of Parry", though operations continued through the next day. US casualties included 73 dead and missing plus 261 wounded.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
February / 1944
To Month/Year
February / 1944
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories The USS Dewey was at Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal landings, Eastern Solomons, Attu and Kiska, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Tinian, Saipan, Philippine Sea, Guam, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, plus dozens of smaller engagements and missions. Through all of that, the only damage she received was from Typhoon Cobra on December 18, 1944, when she was heeled over 75-degrees and had her forward stack ripped off. USS Dewey received 13 battle stars for World War II service.
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