Staff-Sergeant M. A. Hostinsky was appointed first-sergeant of Company "B".
First-Sergeant McCullough transferred to the 502nd Parachute Battalion.
Practice jumping continued on Lawson (Cactus) Field. Sprains,'
broken legs and torn muscles were the order of the day. On August 14th,
1941, the company went to Atlanta, Georgia, for a world's premier of RKO
motion picture "Parachute Battalion". Buffet suppers, dances, and the
key to the city was enjoyed by all.
Preparations for a change of station were completed on the 4th day of
September and entraining from Ft. Benning began on the 5th of the same
month. One captain, seven lieutenants arrived at Pt. Moultrie, South
Carolina, on the 6th of September and boarded U.S.A.T. "SIBONEY" at
Charleston, S. Carolina on the 8th of the same month. Hoisted anchor at
Charleston
and sailed for destination unknown at 0702 pm on the 8th of September 1941.
The boat
voyage was uneventful and Cristopal, Canal Zone was sighted on the 12th of
September, and anchor dropped at night. The ship left Cristopal early the
next morning and docked at Balboa, Canal Zone. The troops arrived at Fort
Kobbe 0630 pm. They occupied new
concrete barracks. Shore leave was granted and our men made the most of it.
September, October, and November were spent in such usual garrison duties
with good "spit and polish' thrown in. Captain Michaelis assumed command on
the 30th November 1941. A practice jump was made at Rio Hato, Canal
Zone, 21 November.
The
company maneuvered against the 5th Infantry, 2nd Field Artillery, and the
33rd Infantry. It was captured and took over Pedro Migol locks. A reception
was tendered and the battalion taken by
the opposing units.
The 8th of December, 1941, the United States of America declared war on
Japan and the battalion was engaged in repairing the defensive positions
and outposted Kobbs Beach. Antiaircraft guns were manned continually.
From the first to the 28th of January the company participated in
maneuvers. A practice Jump was made on Howard Field with a cavalry unit in
oppositions. Fifty caliber gun carriages
arrived on the field before the jump and coupled with huge winds, created
serious hazards to the parachutists.
Captain Michaelis was relieved from command and Lt. Schauer assumed command,
the company maneuvered in Chare and Charroera, rough areas. Two practice
jumps were made successfully. Again the 1st of April marked the advent of
another tragedy.
Private Delia was killed when the parachute failed to open. Private Bill
Gibson experienced a close malfunction. This took place at Pacora R. De, P.
Captain Shanley relieved Lt. Schauer and jump training went on.
The company jumped on Rio Hato, Canal Zone and maneuvered during the months
of May, June, July, and August.
The month of September was highlighted by three tactical night jumps at La
Hoya Field. Captain Shanley, during his command, wrote a manual on parachute
troop jungle tactics. This was the basis of further studies on jungle
warfare.
First Lt. McRoberts assumed command of Company"B" on the 22nd of September,
1941, carrying out the usual garrison duties. On the 17th
of October, 1942, Captain Greco assumed command and preparations were made
for a change of station. Six officers and one-hundred enlisted men embarked
on the U.S.A.T. "POELAU LAUT" on November 1, 1942, for destination unknown.
The international date-line was crossed on the 21st of Nov., 1942. The next
day she hoisted anchor and sailed from Brisbane to Townsville, Australia,
docking at 1130 pm, 1st December 1942. Anchor was again hoisted and on
December 2nd arrived at Cairns, Australia, at 0845. Camp Gordonvale was
the next destination. Troops arriving late at night.
From the third to the 31st of December, 1942, usual camp duties prevailed.
The glorious battle records of returning Guadalcanal marines was somewhat
dimmed by a chance to encounter with Company "F" Braves on the streets of
Gordonvale. Thereafter, a city guard was necessary.
On the 31st of December, 1941, secret letter, WDAGO, file number AG
320-2-11-3-42 OB-1-E-M-1 dated November 8, 1941, Subject:
Transfer of Certain Parachute Infantry Units, as amended by secret letter
WDAGO file number AG 570-5 (11-16-42) OB-1-G-N-M, dated November 17, 1942,
Subject; Transfer of Certain Parachute Infantry Units, designated Company
"B", 501st Parachute Battalion as Company "F", 503rd Parachute
Infantry, effective November 3, 1942. We have come into our own.
The
months of January, February and March were ones long to be remembered. The
company underwent its most rigorous training of all. Its first jump in
Australia was made with an 18 mile an hour wind and a fast forced march
followed. Company and regimental problems continually with the. usual
garrison action. Lt. LaVancher and 2 non-coms, went with the Australian 7th
division to Markham Valley and brought back valuable training information.
April 1st, 1943: Private Gibson was outstanding as he again experienced
another malfunction and suffered only minor bruises. The month of April was
otherwise uneventful.
From May 31, through July 24th, 1943, the non-commissioned officers and
members of the company took up jump-master training. The company spot-jumped
on White Field, Gordonvale, Queensland, Australia.
First Lt. Parks assumed command on 2nd August, 1943 and preparations for
change of station commenced. On the 19th of August the Company traveled by
air from Cairns to (Wards Landing Strip), Port Moresby,
New Guinea.
Six officers and one-hundred and ten enlisted men made their first combat
jump in the Southwest Pacific area on the 5th of September, 1943, in the
vicinity of Nadzab, New Guinea (Markham Valley). Three men
were injured as a result of the jump. The companies first mission was
accomplished by capturing GABSENKEK, native village . Company "F" was the
first company to capture Japanese equipment. No enemy opposition was met on
company patrols.
Six officers and one hundred and ten enlisted men traveled by air from
Nadzab, New Guinea to Port Moresby, New Guinea, on September 16, 1943.
First Sergeant Hostinsky transferred and Sgt. Wilson was appointed in his
place. Company and regimental problems and practice marches. with intensive
training filled October, November, and December. Lt. Parks was promoted to
Captain in the month of December. Preparation for a change
of station occupied the month of January.
On February 1st, 1944, camp was broken at 1480 hours and the troops went
aboard the S.S. ROBERT J. WALKER at 1605 hr, hoisted anchor at 1740 hr and
sailed for unknown destination. The ship arrived at Brisbane, Australia on
the 17th of February, traveling a distance of 1256 miles. On the 28th of
February, 1944, First Lt. McRobert assumed command of the company. The
troops arrived at Camp Cable on the 29th of February and there joined first
sergeant Baldwin. The first batch of replacements of Brisbane had arrived
two weeks earlier and had the camp ready for the old soldiers.
The month of March brought more hard training and preparation for a change
of station. Twelve men from Company "B" underwent stiff training at the
Australian Commando School. The men made the best of the short four weeks at
Cable by visiting such places as Logan Village, Santoy's, Queen St. and
Beaudesert and the. beer call
formations.
Once again the troops embarked on the U.S.S. SEA-CAT, left Brisbane 5th April, 1944. On April
13th they disembarked at DOBODURA, (Oro Bay), New Guinea. The remainder of
April was spent in building
up a 503 camp.
Overnight bivouacs and company training marked the month of May.
During this time one practice jump was made.
On June 4, 1944, the troops traveled by air to Cape Cassoe, Hollandia, New
Guinea. Company "F" then patrolled and hunted souvenirs in
Hollekang area.
On the 4th of July,
Company "F" left Hollandia, D.G. and traveled by air (C-47) to Biak
Island, DNG. On July 10th they boarded LCI's and arrived at Noemfoor
Island the following day, disembarking at 1030 hour, to be greeted by an air
raid necessitating foxhole digging in the hard coral in the rain. On July
12th, company consisting of nine officers and 120 enlisted men trained in
the Noemfoor Island operations. From the 12th to the 31st of July, the
company patrolled and held defensive positions and killed 64 Japanese,
capturing 5. Sergeant Watson was wounded on July 24 and received the purple
heart award on August 1, 1944. The company returned to the Namber air strip
and Lt. Clyde assumed command. Lt. McCaffery assumed command August 4. In the
vicinity of the company positions captured 11 Japanese and killed 5. On
company patrols from the 11th to the 18th of August, the company killed 4
Japs and returned, setting up a defensive position on Namber strip. "Rabbit"
hauled us around Noomfoor
looking for the moveable Hill 390. Lt. Calhoun was wounded and received the
purple heart award at this time. On the 21st of September the enlisted man,
Private Hart was wounded in action on a patrol, and
he too received a
purple heart award. On the 21st of August, 1944, the company moved from the
Namber strip to Kamiri, Noemfoor Island. On August 27th to the 17th of
September, company "F" performed port battalion duty with its customary
aggressiveness. The Hart patrol killed four Japanese and one Formosan.
General Krueger and General Eichelberger and staff inspected the battalion.
On October 20th, Warning Order Number One was received to prepare for the next mission. On
the
28th, a supply meeting was held concerning
the proposed movement. Lt. William T. Bailey assumed command 13 Sept., 1944
and until the present
date has prepared the company for its next mission.
: For detailed
report on Company "F"'s splendid
record, the Noemfoor Island operations
consult the morning reports of July and August, 1944.
November 1 to 6th, company made preparations to go on an unknown
mission.
November 7, 1944,
1st and 2nd platoons departed camp at 1145 hr.
and arrived at Kamiri jetty at 1200 hr. Boarded LCM and sailed to
an ocean going ship, USS CUSTER. Boarded the Custer at 1509. These platoons
were to act as a loading party for the 2nd Bn, 503d Parachute Infantry. The
remainder of the company less one NCO and 8 EM, these men were left to guard
company equipment. November 8, the company equipment was loaded and the
rest of the men boarded the
ship at noon.
Company stayed aboard the Custer in the harbor until Nov. 14.
|