HMMM My Captain wants his revenche ![]()
I will say First Lieutenant Marine Corps
I will seek in the files of the USMC
Vee ![]()
Under every white cross of American Cemetery of Colleville (Normandy), sleeps a piece of Freedom
HMMM My Captain wants its revenche
Hopefully I will succeed! I will give you a clue tomorrow, if I continue to stump you.
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
Hint #1
Following Pearl Harbor, he had tried to get in the Navy and Army but was turned down. Thereafter, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
Has He participated in the Battle of Peleliu or Tarawa ?
Vee ![]()
Under every white cross of American Cemetery of Colleville (Normandy), sleeps a piece of Freedom
Under every white cross of American Cemetery of Colleville (Normandy), sleeps a piece of Freedom
Citation: For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Island, 20 and 21 November 1943. The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt. Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by S enemy machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, 1st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
1st Lt William Hawkins
Citation: For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Island, 20 and 21 November 1943. The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt. Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by S enemy machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, 1st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Todd,
On the picture it's Alexander bonnyman Jr
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Bonnyman,_Jr .
Vee ![]()
Under every white cross of American Cemetery of Colleville (Normandy), sleeps a piece of Freedom
Todd,
On the picture it's Alexander bonnyman Jr
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Bonnyman,_Jr .
Vee
You right, of course. I should know that, the bowling alley in Camp Lejeune is named for him. That's what you get when you place too much faith in Google search: Images.
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
I do know who that is (but I admit I couldn't place him right away.) There were several clues that lead me to the right person. I have some interesting trivia about him (and 6 other Marines) I will tell everyone after we have some other people guessing!
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
Then nobody !!
Vee ![]()
Under every white cross of American Cemetery of Colleville (Normandy), sleeps a piece of Freedom
Ok then, Ernest August Janson. My trivia: He is one of only 7 Marines to hold two Medals of Honor. For 5 of those, they were given the Army and Navy version for the same action (the Army couldn't let the Navy out do them [or vice versa] could they? Those Marines were attached to an Army command at the time in WWI.) Two of them, Smedley Butler and Dan Daly are the only two Marines to have gotten the award for two seperate actions. Their two names are learned by every Marine as they go through their basic training.
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SgtMaj Dan Daly. . . . . . . MGen Smedly Butler
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
