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SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 1945 IS DAY 9 OF THE CORREGIDOR OPERATION, D+8.

 

S-3 PERIODIC REPORT NO 9 ,  D COMPANY HISTORY, AND COMMENTARY

 

TIME LOCALITY UNIT OCCURRENCE, INCIDENT, OR MESSAGE ACTION

 

 

 

 

 

    1st Bn Spearhead of the drive around Malinta Hill towards Tailside.  
    2d Bn Mop-up any bypassed pockets of Japanese Resistance on Topside - good in theory, difficult in the execution.   
    3d Bn Guard the flanks of the 1st Bn and mop up any bypassed pockets of Japanese resistance.  
         
  Malinta Hill Water Tower Hill A Co A Co proceeds along the southern shore, then ties in with the remainder of the Bn to attack and take Water Tank Hill.   
  Malinta Hill B Co. First Bn advance, with tank cover, around Malinta Hill toward the eastern end of Corregidor. B Co takes the northern rout, and engages in a heavy skirmish opposite a northern lateral of Malinta Tunnel. The tanks assist, but friendly casualties result when it  manoeuvres unexpectedly to fire in the confined area.   
    B Co

The Japanese attack (from the northern entrance of Malinta Tunnel) soon quelled,  the remainder of the enemy retreated back into the recesses of the tunnel complex. The tank accompanying the troopers squared itself before the opening tunnel and fired several cannon rounds and machine gun bursts into the abyss. It remained in this position until all friendly troops had passed the danger point, The attack by the first battalion quickly resumed. (Guthrie at p. 207)

 
 
      A short while later, while under intense enemy fire, T/Sgt Robert Heyer of Company B led an assault that neutralized a machine gun position. For his gallant service, at the cost of his life, Sergeant Heyer was awarded the Silver Star. (Guthrie at p. 207)  
  Cheney Ravine - Wheeler Pt.

D Co

E Co having failed to take Btry Monja from the South, D Co is assigned to clear the shoreline caves and attack it from the North. This is a catastrophic error at HQ given the physical nature of the shoreline and cliffs.   Lt. Gifford, for the 3d time in 4 days, takes Cheney Trail to beach, the south to Wheeler Point. Approaching Wheeler Pt., 3 platoons come under a withering ambush - evacuated by boats to South Beach after being pinned down for 2 hrs (4 men KIA)

 

 

John Lindgren's account of this ambush

 

Tony Sierra's account of this ambush

 

Aid Station Listing of "D" Co Casualties this date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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    D Co Pfc Clifton L. Puckett, GSW right knee, DOW; S/Sgt Robert V. Holt, GSW neck, KIA; Cpl. Kenneth Combes; Pfc. William J. McCarey, GSW chest, KIA

WIA: Pfc Charles Christian; S/Sgt Harry Drews; Pfc Franklin Finckler; Lloyd S. Jenkins; Pfc Frank B. Keller; Pvt Charles H. Kurtz; S/Sgt Harry Rabe

  (Source - Charles R. Leabhart's aid station notebook.)

Aid Station Report transcribed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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E Co

 

Patrol returns to Wheeler Pt. to recover bodies of Pvt. Howard J. Jandro and 2d Lt. Emory N. Ball. But fail to locate the bodies.

 
 
    462d

Pfc Peter C. McCabe,  a medic of the 462d FABn, had volunteered to go on the assault (towards Tailside) because the medical personnel  of the 1st Bn had suffered excessive casualties. During the mêlée  outside the north entrance of Malinta Tunnel, McCabe saw a severely wounded trooper fall into a pile of burning rubble, fully exposed to  enemy fire.  Although McCabe had already passed the opening of the tunnel, he ran back, moved the trooper to safety while under fire, and stopped a hemorrhage, thus saving the trooper's life. In keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Military Service, Private McCabe was awarded the Silver Star for his courageous actions. (Guthrie at p. 207)

 
 
    1st Bn After linking with A Co on the right flank, and an artillery/ mortar  barrage, 1st Bn takes Water Tank Hill with fixed bayonets, without further casualties. They have difficulty digging in for the night, due to shallow soil layer. This will make them more susceptible to Japanese mortars later that night.        
 
   

 

 

 

NIGHT OF 24/25 FEBRUARY

TIME LOCALITY UNIT OCCURRENCE, INCIDENT, OR MESSAGE ACTION
         
         
      Enemy counterattacks began at 242139I and continued at intervals until 250400I. All were repulsed by our return fire from small arms, mortars, grenade and artillery.  Small arms and mortars were used against our troops.  We suffered several casualties and the enemy evidently,  a great deal. (S-3 P.R. No. 10)  
1900 Monkey Pt.   Report to 1st Bn  CO (Maj. Woods) - Navy received fire from Monkey Pt.  and neutralized same.  
2130   1st Bn C.P. In an unfortunate incident, mortar fire falls on 1st Bn CP, killing Maj. Woods and wounding several others.  
0300     "B" Co reported that