This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Eugene Claude Ipox, Jr., TM1
to remember
DeWitt, James Leroy, TM2c.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Pontiac, MI
Last Address Pontiac, MI
Casualty Date Nov 07, 1944
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Gerrish Township Cemetery - Roscommon, Michigan
Wall/Plot Coordinates 123 1 (memorial marker)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
The USS Albacore (SS-218) began a patrol on October 24, 1944, and refueled at Midway Island on October 28th. There was no further contact with the boat after that date. Japanese records report a submarine exploding as the result of contact with a mine on November 7, 1944 and the Albacore was presumed lost on December 21st 1944. Torpedoman's Mate Second Class Dewitt was officially declared dead on December 13, 1945.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 3120816
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Western Caroline Islands Operation
From Month/Year
August / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Japanese had established several strongholds in the Carolines. These included Truk, Yap, Pelelui, Anguar, and Ulithi. The Carolina Islands were the next objective for the United States Navy. With the Gilberts, Marshalls, and the Marianas in U.S. hands, the removal of Japanese bases in the Carolinas would clear the Japs out of the central Pacific, and open the doors for attacks on the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, and Japan proper.
