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Contact Info
Home Town Milwaukee, WI
Last Address Maryland
Date of Passing Aug 04, 1958
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Donald Wood Loomis was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 15 July 1895, son of Fred W. and Mrs. Jane O. (Goss) Loomis. He attended West Division High School in Milwaukee, and in 1914 entered the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on appointment from his native state. He was graduated with the class of 1918 on 20 June 1917 (course accelerated due to national emergency) and was commissioned Ensign from that date. Through subsequent advancement he attained the rank of Captain to rank from 14 June 1942, and served in the temporary rank of Commodore from 20 October 1944 until 16 September 1945. On 30 June 1949, he was transferred to the Retired List of the US Navy and advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral, on the basis of combat awards.
In addition to the Legion of Merit with four Gold Stars in lieu of additional similar awards, each with Combat 'V,' and the Bronze Star Medal with Combat 'V,' Rear Admiral Loomis had the Victory Medal, Escort Clasp (World War One); the Yangzte Service Medal; American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with operation stars; World War II Victory Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
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.
