6 1st Marine Regiment, History, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 300, Folder 5; 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, History; 7th Marine Regiment, AAR, all at National Archives; Corporal Leo Zitko to Mom and Dad, Collection Number 68, World War II Letters, Box 40, Folder 3463, Western Historical Ma.n.u.script Collection, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (hereafter WHMC); Henry Andrasovsky, oral history, Henry Andrasovsky Collection, #23434, and Alexander Costella, unpublished memoir, pp. 7-8, Alexander Costella Collection, #30258, both at Veterans History Project (VHP), American Folklife Center (AFC), Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; William Martin, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-2, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Martin. 1st Marine Regiment, History, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 300, Folder 5; 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, History; 7th Marine Regiment, AAR, all at National Archives; Corporal Leo Zitko to Mom and Dad, Collection Number 68, World War II Letters, Box 40, Folder 3463, Western Historical Ma.n.u.script Collection, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (hereafter WHMC); Henry Andrasovsky, oral history, Henry Andrasovsky Collection, #23434, and Alexander Costella, unpublished memoir, pp. 7-8, Alexander Costella Collection, #30258, both at Veterans History Project (VHP), American Folklife Center (AFC), Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; William Martin, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-2, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Martin.
7 5th Marine Regiment, AAR, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 299, Folder 4, National Archives; E. B. Sledge, 5th Marine Regiment, AAR, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 299, Folder 4, National Archives; E. B. Sledge, With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990), pp. 59-60; Richard Bruce Watkins, "With the 1st Marine Division on Peleliu: The First Day," (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990), pp. 59-60; Richard Bruce Watkins, "With the 1st Marine Division on Peleliu: The First Day," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, August 2004, pp. 63-64. Watkins also posted this account on a Web site, www.brothersinbattle. net: Garand and Strobridge, Western Pacific Operations Western Pacific Operations, p. 115.
8 1st Marine Division, SAR, and Annex D, Medical, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 298, Folder 19; III Marine Amphibious Corps, Operation Report, Enclosure J, Medical, Box 298, Folder 13; Captain James Flagg, personal diary, September 15, 1944, Box 307, Folder 12; 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, History, all at National Archives; Lieutenant Commander William Turney, "1st Medical Battalion in Action-Peleliu, 1 May 1944-20 October 1944," Amphibious Warfare School, 1947-1948, USMCHMD; Leslie Harrold, oral history, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Harrold; Leslie Harrold, conversation with the author, May 5, 2008. 1st Marine Division, SAR, and Annex D, Medical, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 298, Folder 19; III Marine Amphibious Corps, Operation Report, Enclosure J, Medical, Box 298, Folder 13; Captain James Flagg, personal diary, September 15, 1944, Box 307, Folder 12; 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, History, all at National Archives; Lieutenant Commander William Turney, "1st Medical Battalion in Action-Peleliu, 1 May 1944-20 October 1944," Amphibious Warfare School, 1947-1948, USMCHMD; Leslie Harrold, oral history, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Harrold; Leslie Harrold, conversation with the author, May 5, 2008.
9 1st Marine Division, SAR; 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, both at National Archives; Fred Harris, unpublished memoir, p. 2, Peleliu accounts, Folder #2149, GRC; Charles H. Owen, "Capture of Peleliu: Bravery on the Beach," 1st Marine Division, SAR; 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, both at National Archives; Fred Harris, unpublished memoir, p. 2, Peleliu accounts, Folder #2149, GRC; Charles H. Owen, "Capture of Peleliu: Bravery on the Beach," World War II World War II, September 1998, pp. 35-40; Russell Davis, Marine at War Marine at War (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1961), pp. 29-31; Colonel Dave Grossman with Loren W. Christensen, (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1961), pp. 29-31; Colonel Dave Grossman with Loren W. Christensen, On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace (Portland, OR: PPCT Research Publications, 2007), pp. 30-49. (Portland, OR: PPCT Research Publications, 2007), pp. 30-49.
10 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, History, Intelligence Section History, all at National Archives; George Hunt, 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, History, Intelligence Section History, all at National Archives; George Hunt, Coral Comes High Coral Comes High (New York: Signet, 1946), pp. 56-58; George Peto, interview with the author, April 25, 2008. (New York: Signet, 1946), pp. 56-58; George Peto, interview with the author, April 25, 2008.
11 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Record of Events, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 300, Folder 8; 1st Marine Regiment, AAR and History, all at National Archives; "Marines of K-3-1 Killed in Action During the Peleliu Operation," USMCHMD, Reference Branch Files; Braswell Deen, "Trial by Combat!" (self-published), pp. 246-48; Hunt, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Record of Events, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 300, Folder 8; 1st Marine Regiment, AAR and History, all at National Archives; "Marines of K-3-1 Killed in Action During the Peleliu Operation," USMCHMD, Reference Branch Files; Braswell Deen, "Trial by Combat!" (self-published), pp. 246-48; Hunt, Coral Comes High Coral Comes High, p. 74; Captain George Hunt, "Point Secured," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, January 1945, pp. 39-40; Colonel Joseph Alexander, "Peleliu 1944: "King" Company"s Battle for "The Point," " Leatherneck Leatherneck, November 1996, pp. 18-21.
12 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, Record of Events, both at National Archives; Fred Fox to General C. C. Krulak, September 9, 1996; Fox, unpublished memoir, pp. 7-8, both at USMCHMD, Reference Branch Files; Alexander, "Peleliu 1944," p. 21; Hunt, "Point Secured," p. 40; Hunt, 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, Record of Events, both at National Archives; Fred Fox to General C. C. Krulak, September 9, 1996; Fox, unpublished memoir, pp. 7-8, both at USMCHMD, Reference Branch Files; Alexander, "Peleliu 1944," p. 21; Hunt, "Point Secured," p. 40; Hunt, Coral Comes High Coral Comes High, pp. 59-61.
13 1st Marine Regiment, Record of Events, National Archives; Alexander, "Peleliu," pp. 21-22; Hunt, "Point Secured," p. 40; Hunt, 1st Marine Regiment, Record of Events, National Archives; Alexander, "Peleliu," pp. 21-22; Hunt, "Point Secured," p. 40; Hunt, Coral Comes High Coral Comes High, p. 54.
14 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, History, Record of Events, all at National Archives; Fox, unpublished memoir, pp. 9-10, USMCHMD; Alexander, "Peleliu," pp. 22-23; Hunt, "Point Secured," p. 40. 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, History, Record of Events, all at National Archives; Fox, unpublished memoir, pp. 9-10, USMCHMD; Alexander, "Peleliu," pp. 22-23; Hunt, "Point Secured," p. 40.
15 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, History, National Archives; Fox, unpublished memoir, pp. 12-14, USMCHMD; George Peto, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-2, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Peto; Peto interview; Hunt, 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, History, National Archives; Fox, unpublished memoir, pp. 12-14, USMCHMD; George Peto, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-2, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Peto; Peto interview; Hunt, Coral Comes High Coral Comes High, pp. 91-93.
16 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, History, Record of Events, National Archives; Albert Mikel, unpublished memoir, p. 4, Peleliu accounts, #2221; Russell Honsowetz, oral history, both at GRC; Fox, unpublished memoir, pp. 16-18; "Marines of K-3-1 Killed in Action During the Peleliu Operation," both at USMCHMD; Peto, unpublished memoir, p. 2; Peto interview; Alexander, "Peleliu," pp. 23-25; Hunt, "Point Secured," pp. 40-42; Hunt, 1st Marine Regiment, AAR, History, Record of Events, National Archives; Albert Mikel, unpublished memoir, p. 4, Peleliu accounts, #2221; Russell Honsowetz, oral history, both at GRC; Fox, unpublished memoir, pp. 16-18; "Marines of K-3-1 Killed in Action During the Peleliu Operation," both at USMCHMD; Peto, unpublished memoir, p. 2; Peto interview; Alexander, "Peleliu," pp. 23-25; Hunt, "Point Secured," pp. 40-42; Hunt, Coral Comes High Coral Comes High, pp. 115-22; Matthew Stevenson, "Personal Perspectives on Peleliu," Military History Quarterly Military History Quarterly, Winter 1999, pp. 78-79; Jon Hoffman, Chesty: The Story of Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC Chesty: The Story of Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC (New York: Random House, 2001), pp. 273-80. After the war, Captain Hunt taught at the Marine Corps Education Center in Quantico, VA. With his a.s.sistance, the school built an exact replica of the Point and used it to educate young officers on how to a.s.sault fortified positions. Not only was this educational process instructive, it preserved the Point battle in Marine Corps lore. Hunt left the Corps and returned to his prewar job with (New York: Random House, 2001), pp. 273-80. After the war, Captain Hunt taught at the Marine Corps Education Center in Quantico, VA. With his a.s.sistance, the school built an exact replica of the Point and used it to educate young officers on how to a.s.sault fortified positions. Not only was this educational process instructive, it preserved the Point battle in Marine Corps lore. Hunt left the Corps and returned to his prewar job with Fortune Fortune magazine. Over the years, he wrote many articles about the men of his company. Fred Fox returned to Peleliu, and the Point, four separate times after the war. magazine. Over the years, he wrote many articles about the men of his company. Fred Fox returned to Peleliu, and the Point, four separate times after the war.
17 1st Marine Division, SAR; D3 Journal, September 15, 1944; 5th Marine Regiment, AAR, all at National Archives; Technical Sergeant Joseph Alli, "First Two Days of h.e.l.l on Peleliu Described by Marine Combat Correspondent," dispatch found at USMCHMD, Reference Branch Files. There are literally dozens of accounts of the j.a.panese tank attack. I have consulted them all but have only listed the ones upon which I relied most heavily. 1st Marine Division, SAR; D3 Journal, September 15, 1944; 5th Marine Regiment, AAR, all at National Archives; Technical Sergeant Joseph Alli, "First Two Days of h.e.l.l on Peleliu Described by Marine Combat Correspondent," dispatch found at USMCHMD, Reference Branch Files. There are literally dozens of accounts of the j.a.panese tank attack. I have consulted them all but have only listed the ones upon which I relied most heavily.
18 1st Marine Division, SAR; 1st Marine Regiment, History; Major Waite Worden to Commandant, April 6, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 3, all at National Archives; Robert "Pepper" Martin, 1st Marine Division, SAR; 1st Marine Regiment, History; Major Waite Worden to Commandant, April 6, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 3, all at National Archives; Robert "Pepper" Martin, Time Time, October 16, 1944; Webster"s II New Riverside Dictionary Webster"s II New Riverside Dictionary (New York: Berkley, 1984), p. 231; Robert Leckie, (New York: Berkley, 1984), p. 231; Robert Leckie, Helmet for My Pillow Helmet for My Pillow (New York: Bantam Books, 1957), p. 273; Davis, (New York: Bantam Books, 1957), p. 273; Davis, Marine at War Marine at War, p. 99.
19 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex D, Medical, Annex I, Engineers; Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Drummond to Commandant, March 14, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 1, all at National Archives; George Parker, unpublished memoir, p. 49, George Parker Collection, #5375, Veterans History Project (VHP), American Folklife Center (AFC), Library of Congress; John Arthur Huber, unpublished memoir, p. 8, Peleliu Accounts, #3856, GRC; James W. Johnston, 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex D, Medical, Annex I, Engineers; Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Drummond to Commandant, March 14, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 1, all at National Archives; George Parker, unpublished memoir, p. 49, George Parker Collection, #5375, Veterans History Project (VHP), American Folklife Center (AFC), Library of Congress; John Arthur Huber, unpublished memoir, p. 8, Peleliu Accounts, #3856, GRC; James W. Johnston, The Long Road of War: A Marine"s Story of Pacific Combat The Long Road of War: A Marine"s Story of Pacific Combat (Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1998), pp. 78, 88; Hough, (Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1998), pp. 78, 88; Hough, a.s.sault on Peleliu a.s.sault on Peleliu, pp. 94-97; Leckie, Helmet for My Pillow Helmet for My Pillow , p. 273; Sledge, , p. 273; Sledge, With the Old Breed With the Old Breed, p. 76; Charlie Burchett, interview with the author, March 6, 1995; Harrold, oral history.
20 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex A, Infantry, Annex B, Intelligence; D2 Journal, September 16, 1944, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 299, Folder 2; 1st Marine Regiment, History, all at National Archives; Peto interview. 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex A, Infantry, Annex B, Intelligence; D2 Journal, September 16, 1944, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 299, Folder 2; 1st Marine Regiment, History, all at National Archives; Peto interview.
21 III Marine Amphibious Corps, Operation Report, Enclosure A, Strength Report, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 298, Folder 5; 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, War Diary, Box 301, Folder 2; 1st Marine Regiment, History; Record of Events, all at National Archives; Parker, unpublished memoir, pp. 50-51, Library of Congress; Brigadier General Gordon Gayle, III Marine Amphibious Corps, Operation Report, Enclosure A, Strength Report, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 298, Folder 5; 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, War Diary, Box 301, Folder 2; 1st Marine Regiment, History; Record of Events, all at National Archives; Parker, unpublished memoir, pp. 50-51, Library of Congress; Brigadier General Gordon Gayle, b.l.o.o.d.y Beaches: The Marines at Peleliu b.l.o.o.d.y Beaches: The Marines at Peleliu (Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center, 1996), p. 20; Davis, (Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center, 1996), p. 20; Davis, Marine at War Marine at War, pp. 103-04. Gene Burns was a professor of mine in graduate school. He told me this story in November 1989.
22 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex L, Air Support, Annex J, Tanks; 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Operation Report, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 301, Folder 8; Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Stuart to Commandant, April 25, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 3, all at National Archives; Major Richard Kennard, 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex L, Air Support, Annex J, Tanks; 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Operation Report, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 301, Folder 8; Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Stuart to Commandant, April 25, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 3, all at National Archives; Major Richard Kennard, Combat Letters Home Combat Letters Home (Bryn Mawr, PA: Dorrance & Company, Inc., 1985), pp. 16-17; Davis, (Bryn Mawr, PA: Dorrance & Company, Inc., 1985), pp. 16-17; Davis, Marine at War Marine at War, p. 104.
23 1st Marine Regiment, History; 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, History; Captain Everett Pope to Commandant, March 8, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 2, all at National Archives; Everett Pope, interview with Rob Taglianetti, USMCHMD, August 3, 2006, interview made available to author by Mr. Taglianetti; Martin, unpublished memoir, pp. 2-3; Ray Davis, 1st Marine Regiment, History; 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, History; Captain Everett Pope to Commandant, March 8, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 2, all at National Archives; Everett Pope, interview with Rob Taglianetti, USMCHMD, August 3, 2006, interview made available to author by Mr. Taglianetti; Martin, unpublished memoir, pp. 2-3; Ray Davis, The Story of Ray Davis, General of Marines The Story of Ray Davis, General of Marines (Fuquay Varina, NC: Research Triangle Publishing, 1995), pp. 68-70; Garand and Strobridge, (Fuquay Varina, NC: Research Triangle Publishing, 1995), pp. 68-70; Garand and Strobridge, Western Pacific Operations Western Pacific Operations, pp. 146-48, 156-61; Davis, Marine at War Marine at War, pp. 108-14; Kennard, Combat Letters Home Combat Letters Home, p. 17; Hoffman, Chesty Chesty, pp. 279-87. Many men in the 1st Marines, particularly the C Company survivors, felt that Hill 100 should have been named Pope"s Ridge.
24 Hoffman, Hoffman, Chesty Chesty, pp. 284-85; Bill Ross, Special Piece of h.e.l.l Special Piece of h.e.l.l, pp. 235-40; Peto, unpublished memoir, p. 3; Oliver Butler, unpublished memoir, p. 67, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Butler.
25 Oliver Smith, Ray Davis, Russell Honsowetz, Harold Deakin, oral histories, GRC; Bill Sloan, Oliver Smith, Ray Davis, Russell Honsowetz, Harold Deakin, oral histories, GRC; Bill Sloan, Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944-The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944-The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005), pp. 340-41; d.i.c.k Camp, (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005), pp. 340-41; d.i.c.k Camp, Last Man Standing: The 1st Marine Regiment on Peleliu, September 15 Last Man Standing: The 1st Marine Regiment on Peleliu, September 15-21, 1944 (Minneapolis, MN: Zenith Press, 2008), p. 269; Hoffman, (Minneapolis, MN: Zenith Press, 2008), p. 269; Hoffman, Chesty Chesty, pp. 285-88; Davis, The Story of Ray Davis The Story of Ray Davis, pp. 72-73; Gailey, Peleliu 1944 Peleliu 1944, pp. 123-124; Ross, Special Piece of h.e.l.l Special Piece of h.e.l.l, pp. 244-50, 261; Jon Hoffman, "The Truth about Peleliu," Naval Inst.i.tute Proceedings Naval Inst.i.tute Proceedings, November 2002, pp. 51-54; Stevenson, "Personal Perspectives on Peleliu," MHQ MHQ, pp. 81-82.
26 Smith, Honsowetz, Deakin, oral histories, GRC; Hoffman, Smith, Honsowetz, Deakin, oral histories, GRC; Hoffman, Chesty Chesty, pp. 296-98; Gailey, Peleliu 1944 Peleliu 1944, pp. 133-35; Ross, Special Piece of h.e.l.l Special Piece of h.e.l.l, pp. 261-64; Hoffman, "Truth about Peleliu," pp. 53-54; biography of Major General William Rupertus at www.arlingtoncemetery.net. General Geiger later told General Smith that, had he known about Rupertus"s broken ankle, he would have relieved him before the invasion.
27 Colonel Walter Wachtler to Commandant, March 1, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 3; Colonel William Coleman to Commandant, no date, Box 6, Folder 1, both at National Archives; Oliver Smith, unpublished memoir, pp. 61-62; Smith, Deakin, oral histories, all at GRC; George McMillan, Colonel Walter Wachtler to Commandant, March 1, 1950, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 3; Colonel William Coleman to Commandant, no date, Box 6, Folder 1, both at National Archives; Oliver Smith, unpublished memoir, pp. 61-62; Smith, Deakin, oral histories, all at GRC; George McMillan, The Old Breed: A History of the First Marine Division in World War II The Old Breed: A History of the First Marine Division in World War II (Washington, D.C.: Infantry Journal Press, 1949), pp. 318-19; Gailey, (Washington, D.C.: Infantry Journal Press, 1949), pp. 318-19; Gailey, Peleliu 1944 Peleliu 1944, pp. 134-35; Kennard, Combat Letters Home Combat Letters Home, p. 31; Hoffman, Chesty Chesty, pp. 281-91; Ross, Special Piece of h.e.l.l Special Piece of h.e.l.l, pp. 264-72; Davis, Marine at War Marine at War, p. 116; Hoffman, "Truth about Peleliu," p. 54. Joe Rosenthal, the famous photographer, witnessed the meeting between Geiger and Puller. In Rosenthal"s opinion, Chesty looked like "a tired guy."
28 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR, RG 407, Box 12324, Folder 8; 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, History; 1st Marine Division, D2 Journal, September 23, 1944, all at National Archives; Thomas Climie, unpublished memoir, p. 22, World War II Questionnaire #10149; Robert Francis Heatley, "Breathes There a Soldier" (self-published), p. 9, World War II Questionnaire #12720; George Pasula, World War II Questionnaire #4333, all at USAMHI; Honsowetz, oral history, GRC; Peto, unpublished memoir, p. 3, interview; Hoffman, 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR, RG 407, Box 12324, Folder 8; 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, History; 1st Marine Division, D2 Journal, September 23, 1944, all at National Archives; Thomas Climie, unpublished memoir, p. 22, World War II Questionnaire #10149; Robert Francis Heatley, "Breathes There a Soldier" (self-published), p. 9, World War II Questionnaire #12720; George Pasula, World War II Questionnaire #4333, all at USAMHI; Honsowetz, oral history, GRC; Peto, unpublished memoir, p. 3, interview; Hoffman, Chesty Chesty, p. 289.
29 81st Infantry Division, History of Operations, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 300, Folder 4; 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR, both at National Archives; "The 321st Infantry Regiment from Camp Rucker to Guadalca.n.a.l, Angaur, Peleliu, New Caledonia, Leyte and j.a.pan"; Pasula, questionnaire; Heatley, "Breathes There a Soldier," p. 11, all at USAMHI; Captain Pierce Irby, "The Operations of Company "L," 321st Infantry (81st Infantry Division) in the Capture of the Island of Peleliu, 23-29 September, 1944, Personal Experience of a Company Commander," pp. 17-18, Advanced Infantry Officer"s Course, 1948-1949, Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia. 81st Infantry Division, History of Operations, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 300, Folder 4; 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR, both at National Archives; "The 321st Infantry Regiment from Camp Rucker to Guadalca.n.a.l, Angaur, Peleliu, New Caledonia, Leyte and j.a.pan"; Pasula, questionnaire; Heatley, "Breathes There a Soldier," p. 11, all at USAMHI; Captain Pierce Irby, "The Operations of Company "L," 321st Infantry (81st Infantry Division) in the Capture of the Island of Peleliu, 23-29 September, 1944, Personal Experience of a Company Commander," pp. 17-18, Advanced Infantry Officer"s Course, 1948-1949, Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia.
30 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, War Diary, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 301, Folder 5; Operation Report, Box 301, Folder 14; 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR, all at National Archives; Irby, "The Operations of Company "L," 321st," pp. 14-17; Robert Ross Smith, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, War Diary, RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps Records, Peleliu, Box 301, Folder 5; Operation Report, Box 301, Folder 14; 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR, all at National Archives; Irby, "The Operations of Company "L," 321st," pp. 14-17; Robert Ross Smith, The U.S. Army in World War II: The Approach to the Philippines The U.S. Army in World War II: The Approach to the Philippines (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, 1953), pp. 537-38; Garand and Strobridge, (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, 1953), pp. 537-38; Garand and Strobridge, Western Pacific Operations Western Pacific Operations, pp. 197-98; Ross, A Special Piece of h.e.l.l A Special Piece of h.e.l.l, p. 277; Camp, Last Man Standing Last Man Standing, pp. 290-91; Smith, oral history, GRC. General Paul Mueller, the commander of the 81st Division, believed, with some justification, that his soldiers never got the credit they deserved for their part in the Battle of Peleliu. He felt that Marine publicity overshadowed the Army"s vital role in the battle. Sensitive to any criticism of his troops, Mueller downplayed K Company"s problems in an April 14, 1950, letter to Brigadier General Clayton Jerome, head of the Corps" History and Museums Division. Mueller felt that "the incident was exaggerated." The letter is in the National Archives at RG 127, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Publication Background Files, a.s.sault on Peleliu, Box 6, Folder 2.
31 81st Infantry Division, History of Operations; 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR; 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex H, Artillery, Annex L, Air Support; 11th Marine Regiment, Operation Report, all at National Archives; General Oliver Smith, "Comments and Recommendations as a Result of the Peleliu Campaign," Box 22, Folder 5, Oliver Smith Papers; William Burnett, unpublished memoir, p. 9, Peleliu Accounts, #3723, both at GRC; Kennard, 81st Infantry Division, History of Operations; 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR; 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex H, Artillery, Annex L, Air Support; 11th Marine Regiment, Operation Report, all at National Archives; General Oliver Smith, "Comments and Recommendations as a Result of the Peleliu Campaign," Box 22, Folder 5, Oliver Smith Papers; William Burnett, unpublished memoir, p. 9, Peleliu Accounts, #3723, both at GRC; Kennard, Combat Letters Home Combat Letters Home, p. 25; Staff Sergeant Ward Walker, "Marine Tells of Cave Fighting on Peleliu," USMCHMD, Reference Branch Files; Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Walt, "The Closer the Better," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, September 1946, pp. 38-39.
32 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR; 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex A, Infantry, Annex J, Tanks; 5th Marine Regiment, AAR; 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Record of Events; Captain James Flagg, diary entries, October 1-10, 1944; Stuart letter, all at National Archives; U.S. Armored School, "Armor in Island Warfare," p. 86, Donovan Library, Fort Benning; Climie, unpublished memoir, p. 25, USAMHI; Huber, unpublished memoir, pp. 13-14, GRC; Burchett interview. 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR; 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex A, Infantry, Annex J, Tanks; 5th Marine Regiment, AAR; 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Record of Events; Captain James Flagg, diary entries, October 1-10, 1944; Stuart letter, all at National Archives; U.S. Armored School, "Armor in Island Warfare," p. 86, Donovan Library, Fort Benning; Climie, unpublished memoir, p. 25, USAMHI; Huber, unpublished memoir, pp. 13-14, GRC; Burchett interview.
33 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex D, Medical; 5th Marine Regiment, AAR; 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR, all at National Archives; Edward Thul, unpublished memoir, p. 12, Edward Thul Collection, #19069, VHP, AFC, Library of Congress; Climie, unpublished memoir, p. 24; Heatley, "Breathes There a Soldier," p. 11, both at USAMHI; Sledge, 1st Marine Division, SAR, Annex D, Medical; 5th Marine Regiment, AAR; 321st Infantry Regiment, AAR, all at National Archives; Edward Thul, unpublished memoir, p. 12, Edward Thul Collection, #19069, VHP, AFC, Library of Congress; Climie, unpublished memoir, p. 24; Heatley, "Breathes There a Soldier," p. 11, both at USAMHI; Sledge, With the Old Breed With the Old Breed, pp. 129-32, 142-44; Burchett interview.
34 1st Marine Division, SAR; 81st Infantry Division, AAR; 323rd Infantry Regiment, AAR; Terrain and Intelligence Summary, RG 407, Box 12338, Folder 7, all at National Archives; "History of Cannon Company"; "History of E Company," both with 81st Infantry Division material at USAMHI; The 81st Wildcat Division Historical Committee, 1st Marine Division, SAR; 81st Infantry Division, AAR; 323rd Infantry Regiment, AAR; Terrain and Intelligence Summary, RG 407, Box 12338, Folder 7, all at National Archives; "History of Cannon Company"; "History of E Company," both with 81st Infantry Division material at USAMHI; The 81st Wildcat Division Historical Committee, The 81st Infantry Wildcat Division in World War II The 81st Infantry Wildcat Division in World War II (Washington, D.C.: Infantry Journal Press, 1948), pp. 200-201; Smith, (Washington, D.C.: Infantry Journal Press, 1948), pp. 200-201; Smith, Approach to the Philippines Approach to the Philippines, pp. 573-75; Gailey, Peleliu 1944 Peleliu 1944, p. 192.
Chapter 3.
1 General J. Lawton Collins, interview with Charles B. MacDonald, January 25, 1954, Record Group 319, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, History Division, The Siegfried Line, Box 184, Folder 4, National Archives, College Park, MD; 1st Lieutenant Harry Condren, "The Fall of Aachen," located in World War II Combat Interviews Collection #4, microfiche copy of the entire collection in the author"s possession (hereafter referred to as CI); Christopher Gabel, " "Knock "Em All Down": The Reduction of Aachen, October 1944," paper prepared for the Combat Studies Inst.i.tute, Fort Leavenworth, KS, copy in author"s possession; Captain Monte Parrish, "The Battle of Aachen," General J. Lawton Collins, interview with Charles B. MacDonald, January 25, 1954, Record Group 319, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, History Division, The Siegfried Line, Box 184, Folder 4, National Archives, College Park, MD; 1st Lieutenant Harry Condren, "The Fall of Aachen," located in World War II Combat Interviews Collection #4, microfiche copy of the entire collection in the author"s possession (hereafter referred to as CI); Christopher Gabel, " "Knock "Em All Down": The Reduction of Aachen, October 1944," paper prepared for the Combat Studies Inst.i.tute, Fort Leavenworth, KS, copy in author"s possession; Captain Monte Parrish, "The Battle of Aachen," Field Artillery Journal Field Artillery Journal, September/October 1976, pp. 25-27; Charles B. MacDonald, The U.S. Army in World War II: The Siegfried Line Campaign The U.S. Army in World War II: The Siegfried Line Campaign (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, 1963), pp. 280 -308. (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, 1963), pp. 280 -308.
2 Derrill Daniel, biography, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, Box 2, Folder 2, United States Army Military History Inst.i.tute (USAMHI), Carlisle, PA; John Corley file, McCormick Research Center (MRC), Cantigny 1st Infantry Division Foundation, Wheaton, IL; Michael D. Runey, "Chaos, Cohesion, and Leadership: An American Infantry Battalion in Europe, October-December 1944," Master"s thesis, Pennsylvania State University, pp. 13-17. Derrill Daniel, biography, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, Box 2, Folder 2, United States Army Military History Inst.i.tute (USAMHI), Carlisle, PA; John Corley file, McCormick Research Center (MRC), Cantigny 1st Infantry Division Foundation, Wheaton, IL; Michael D. Runey, "Chaos, Cohesion, and Leadership: An American Infantry Battalion in Europe, October-December 1944," Master"s thesis, Pennsylvania State University, pp. 13-17.
3 "Combat in Towns," RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14193, Folder 1, National Archives; 26th Infantry Regiment, "Battle of Aachen," Combat Interview, CI-4; Lieutenant Colonel Derrill Daniel, "The Infantry Battalion in Offensive Action, Aachen, 8-20 October 1944," pp. 3-4, Box 89, MRC; Matthew D. Bacik, "White Battalion Draws Red Blood at Aachen," unpublished paper, United States Military Academy, p. 3, copy in author"s possession; Gabel, " "Knock "Em All Down" "; Captain Harold Keebaugh, "Offensive Action in Cities," p. 9, Advanced Infantry Officer"s Course, 1955-1956, Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia; "The Battle for Aachen," "Combat in Towns," RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14193, Folder 1, National Archives; 26th Infantry Regiment, "Battle of Aachen," Combat Interview, CI-4; Lieutenant Colonel Derrill Daniel, "The Infantry Battalion in Offensive Action, Aachen, 8-20 October 1944," pp. 3-4, Box 89, MRC; Matthew D. Bacik, "White Battalion Draws Red Blood at Aachen," unpublished paper, United States Military Academy, p. 3, copy in author"s possession; Gabel, " "Knock "Em All Down" "; Captain Harold Keebaugh, "Offensive Action in Cities," p. 9, Advanced Infantry Officer"s Course, 1955-1956, Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia; "The Battle for Aachen," After the Battle After the Battle, Number 42, pp. 6-13.
4 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S2 Journal, October 10-12, 1944; S3 Journal, October 10-12, 1944, all at RG 407, Entry 427, Box 5268, Folder 2, National Archives; Periodic Report 128, "The Ultimatum Presented to the City of Aachen," CI-4; "1106th Engineer Group South of Aachen," Combat Interview; "The Fall of Aachen," both in CI-4; "Aachen: 26th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, Operations in Urban Terrain, October 1944," copy in author"s possession; John Curran, oral history, MRC; Ed Wilc.o.x, "Battle for Aachen: Death of a City," 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S2 Journal, October 10-12, 1944; S3 Journal, October 10-12, 1944, all at RG 407, Entry 427, Box 5268, Folder 2, National Archives; Periodic Report 128, "The Ultimatum Presented to the City of Aachen," CI-4; "1106th Engineer Group South of Aachen," Combat Interview; "The Fall of Aachen," both in CI-4; "Aachen: 26th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, Operations in Urban Terrain, October 1944," copy in author"s possession; John Curran, oral history, MRC; Ed Wilc.o.x, "Battle for Aachen: Death of a City," Stars and Stripes Stars and Stripes, October 28, 1944. Technically, at the time the Americans extended their ultimatum, Lieutenant Colonel Maximilian Leyherr, one of Wilck"s regimental commanders in the 246th Volksgrenadier Division, was in charge at Aachen. However, Wilck soon arrived and, as division commander, he a.s.sumed responsibility for the defense of Aachen.
5 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S3 Journal, October 13-14, 1944, both at National Archives; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment Unit Journal, October 13-14, 1944, copy in author"s possession; 26th Infantry Regiment Combat Interview, CI-4; Daniel, "Aachen," pp. 4-5, 7-8, MRC; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Bacik, "White Battalion Draws Red Blood," pp. 6-7; Charles Dye, interview with Doug Canin, July 16, 1992, MRC. 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S3 Journal, October 13-14, 1944, both at National Archives; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment Unit Journal, October 13-14, 1944, copy in author"s possession; 26th Infantry Regiment Combat Interview, CI-4; Daniel, "Aachen," pp. 4-5, 7-8, MRC; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Bacik, "White Battalion Draws Red Blood," pp. 6-7; Charles Dye, interview with Doug Canin, July 16, 1992, MRC.
6 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR, National Archives; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment Unit Journal, October 13-14, 1944; 26th Infantry Regiment Combat Interview, CI-4; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Leroy Stewart, unpublished memoir, pp. 58-59, 1st Infantry Division Survey Material, Box 2, USAMHI; Richard Tregaskis, "House to House and Room to Room," 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR, National Archives; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment Unit Journal, October 13-14, 1944; 26th Infantry Regiment Combat Interview, CI-4; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Leroy Stewart, unpublished memoir, pp. 58-59, 1st Infantry Division Survey Material, Box 2, USAMHI; Richard Tregaskis, "House to House and Room to Room," Sat.u.r.day Evening Post Sat.u.r.day Evening Post, February 28, 1945, pp. 18-19; Mack Morris, "The Fight for Aachen," Yank Yank, October 29, 1944, p. 5; Captain L. G. Lawton, "Tank Infantry Team," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, November 1945, p. 32.
7 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S3 Journal, October 13-14, 1944, both at National Archives; F Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, "The Battle of Aachen," AAR, Box 89; Daniel, "Aachen," pp. 8-9, both at MRC; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Tregaskis, "House to House and Room to Room," pp. 19-20. 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S3 Journal, October 13-14, 1944, both at National Archives; F Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, "The Battle of Aachen," AAR, Box 89; Daniel, "Aachen," pp. 8-9, both at MRC; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Tregaskis, "House to House and Room to Room," pp. 19-20.
8 26th Infantry Regiment, S3 Journal, National Archives; "Evacuation of Civilians from Aachen," CI-4; d.i.c.k Lang, oral history; Dye interview, both at MRC; Morris, "The Fight for Aachen," p. 6. 26th Infantry Regiment, S3 Journal, National Archives; "Evacuation of Civilians from Aachen," CI-4; d.i.c.k Lang, oral history; Dye interview, both at MRC; Morris, "The Fight for Aachen," p. 6.
9 "Mines and b.o.o.by Traps in Aachen Operation," contained in 1106th Engineer Combat Group records, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14119, Folder 1, National Archives; "1106th Engineer Combat Group South of Aachen"; 26th Infantry, Combat Interview, both in CI-4; Curran, oral history; Dye interview, both at MRC; Stewart, unpublished memoir, pp. 60-63, USAMHI; Captain Amos Cahan, "Battalion Surgeon, Infantry," "Mines and b.o.o.by Traps in Aachen Operation," contained in 1106th Engineer Combat Group records, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14119, Folder 1, National Archives; "1106th Engineer Combat Group South of Aachen"; 26th Infantry, Combat Interview, both in CI-4; Curran, oral history; Dye interview, both at MRC; Stewart, unpublished memoir, pp. 60-63, USAMHI; Captain Amos Cahan, "Battalion Surgeon, Infantry," Infantry Journal Infantry Journal, May 1945, pp. 19-20; Tregaskis, "House to House, Room to Room," pp. 101-02. The evidence of self-inflicted wounds is recorded in the 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, journal, October 16-20, 1944. All accounts and records agree that veterans were more susceptible to combat fatigue than new men.
10 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S3 Journal, October 15 and 16, 1944, both at National Archives; 26th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview, CI-4; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, unit journal, October 15 and 16, 1944; Lieutenant Colonel John Corley, "Farwick Park, Aachen," p. 1, Box 89; Curran, oral history, both at MRC; Runey, "Chaos, Cohesion and Leadership," pp. 69-78; Charles Whiting, 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S3 Journal, October 15 and 16, 1944, both at National Archives; 26th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview, CI-4; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, unit journal, October 15 and 16, 1944; Lieutenant Colonel John Corley, "Farwick Park, Aachen," p. 1, Box 89; Curran, oral history, both at MRC; Runey, "Chaos, Cohesion and Leadership," pp. 69-78; Charles Whiting, b.l.o.o.d.y Aachen b.l.o.o.d.y Aachen (New York: Playboy Press, 1976), pp. 152-55. (New York: Playboy Press, 1976), pp. 152-55.
11 634th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Daily Reports, RG 407, Box 23602, Folder 1; 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S2 Journal, October 18 through 20, 1944; S3 Journal, October 18 through 20, 1944, all at National Archives; 26th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview, CI-4; F Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, "Battle of Aachen"; "Employment of Armored Vehicles in Street Warfare as seen by an Infantryman," both in Box 89; Daniel, "Aachen," pp. 11-12; Corley, "Farwick Park," pp. 3-4, all at MRC; Stewart, unpublished memoir, pp. 63-65, USAMHI; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, unit journal, October 18 through 20, 1944; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Runey, "Chaos, Cohesion, and Leadership," pp. 80-84; Tregaskis, "House to House, Room to Room," p. 102. 634th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Daily Reports, RG 407, Box 23602, Folder 1; 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S2 Journal, October 18 through 20, 1944; S3 Journal, October 18 through 20, 1944, all at National Archives; 26th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview, CI-4; F Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, "Battle of Aachen"; "Employment of Armored Vehicles in Street Warfare as seen by an Infantryman," both in Box 89; Daniel, "Aachen," pp. 11-12; Corley, "Farwick Park," pp. 3-4, all at MRC; Stewart, unpublished memoir, pp. 63-65, USAMHI; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, unit journal, October 18 through 20, 1944; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Runey, "Chaos, Cohesion, and Leadership," pp. 80-84; Tregaskis, "House to House, Room to Room," p. 102.
12 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S3 Journal, October 21, 1944, both at National Archives; 26th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview; "Experiences of Two American Prisoners of War Held in Aachen, Germany," Combat Interview, both in CI-4; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, unit journal, October 21, 1944; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Runey, "Chaos, Cohesion, and Leadership," pp. 85-87; Keebaugh, "Offensive Action in Cities," p. 10; Frederich Koechling, "The Battle of Aachen Sector," Foreign Military Studies, Box 9, Folder A-989; Stewart, unpublished memoir, pp. 63-64, both at USAMHI; MacDonald, 26th Infantry Regiment, AAR; S3 Journal, October 21, 1944, both at National Archives; 26th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview; "Experiences of Two American Prisoners of War Held in Aachen, Germany," Combat Interview, both in CI-4; 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, unit journal, October 21, 1944; "Aachen: 26th Infantry, Operations in Urban Terrain"; Runey, "Chaos, Cohesion, and Leadership," pp. 85-87; Keebaugh, "Offensive Action in Cities," p. 10; Frederich Koechling, "The Battle of Aachen Sector," Foreign Military Studies, Box 9, Folder A-989; Stewart, unpublished memoir, pp. 63-64, both at USAMHI; MacDonald, The Siegfried Line Campaign The Siegfried Line Campaign, pp. 316-20.
Chapter 4.
1 99th Infantry Division, After Action Report (AAR), December 1944, Record Group (RG) 407, Entry 427, Box 14120, Folder 1, National Archives, College Park, MD; 99th Infantry Division, "The German Breakthrough," Combat Interview (CI) #209, located in author"s personal collection; Hugh Cole, 99th Infantry Division, After Action Report (AAR), December 1944, Record Group (RG) 407, Entry 427, Box 14120, Folder 1, National Archives, College Park, MD; 99th Infantry Division, "The German Breakthrough," Combat Interview (CI) #209, located in author"s personal collection; Hugh Cole, The United States Army in World War II: The Ardennes The United States Army in World War II: The Ardennes (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, 1965), pp. 19-47; Walter E. Lauer, (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, 1965), pp. 19-47; Walter E. Lauer, Battle Babies: The Story of the 99th Infantry Division in World War II Battle Babies: The Story of the 99th Infantry Division in World War II (Nashville, TN: The Battery Press, 1950), pp. 1-12; Charles B. MacDonald, (Nashville, TN: The Battery Press, 1950), pp. 1-12; Charles B. MacDonald, A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge (New York: Bantam Books, 1984), p. 83. For more on the ASTP program, see Louis Keefer, (New York: Bantam Books, 1984), p. 83. For more on the ASTP program, see Louis Keefer, Scholars in Foxholes: The Story of the Army Specialized Training Program in World War II Scholars in Foxholes: The Story of the Army Specialized Training Program in World War II (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., Inc., Publishers, 1988). (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., Inc., Publishers, 1988).
2 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Recommendation for Unit Citation, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14199, Folder 1, National Archives; Lloyd Long to Roger Foehringer, December 15, 1992, World War II Questionnaire #7320, 394th Infantry Regiment Material, Box 2; Milton Kitchens to Roger Foehringer, December 16, 1992, World War II Questionnaire #7065, 394th Infantry Regiment Material, Box 2, both at the United States Army Military History Inst.i.tute (USAMHI), Carlisle, PA; Major William Kempton, S3, 394th Infantry, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox, January 30, 1945, CI-209; Captain Wesley Simmons, "The Operations of Company K, 394th Infantry (99th Infantry Division), in Defensive Action Near Elsenborn, Belgium, 16-21 December 1944, Personal Experience of a Company Commander," Advanced Infantry Officer"s Course, 1949-1950, Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia. 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Recommendation for Unit Citation, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14199, Folder 1, National Archives; Lloyd Long to Roger Foehringer, December 15, 1992, World War II Questionnaire #7320, 394th Infantry Regiment Material, Box 2; Milton Kitchens to Roger Foehringer, December 16, 1992, World War II Questionnaire #7065, 394th Infantry Regiment Material, Box 2, both at the United States Army Military History Inst.i.tute (USAMHI), Carlisle, PA; Major William Kempton, S3, 394th Infantry, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox, January 30, 1945, CI-209; Captain Wesley Simmons, "The Operations of Company K, 394th Infantry (99th Infantry Division), in Defensive Action Near Elsenborn, Belgium, 16-21 December 1944, Personal Experience of a Company Commander," Advanced Infantry Officer"s Course, 1949-1950, Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia.
3 3rd Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview with Master Sergeant Forrest Pogue, January 29, 1945, CI-209; John Thornburg, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-2, World War II Questionnaire #7315, 394th Infantry Regiment Material, Box 3; John Kuhn, unpublished memoir, p. 157, World War II Questionnaire #7108, 394th Infantry Regiment Material, Box 2, both at USAMHI; Simmons, "The Operations of Company K"; Charles Roland, unpublished memoir, located in the archival collection of the National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA. He later published this under the t.i.tle 3rd Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview with Master Sergeant Forrest Pogue, January 29, 1945, CI-209; John Thornburg, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-2, World War II Questionnaire #7315, 394th Infantry Regiment Material, Box 3; John Kuhn, unpublished memoir, p. 157, World War II Questionnaire #7108, 394th Infantry Regiment Material, Box 2, both at USAMHI; Simmons, "The Operations of Company K"; Charles Roland, unpublished memoir, located in the archival collection of the National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA. He later published this under the t.i.tle My Odyssey Through History: Memoirs of War and Academe My Odyssey Through History: Memoirs of War and Academe (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 2004); William C. C. Cavanagh, (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 2004); William C. C. Cavanagh, The Battle East of Elsenborn & the Twin Villages The Battle East of Elsenborn & the Twin Villages (South Yorkshire, England: Pen & Sword Books, Limited, 2004), pp. 39-42. Although the Americans called the railroad station Buckholz Station, it was actually Losheimergraben Station. (South Yorkshire, England: Pen & Sword Books, Limited, 2004), pp. 39-42. Although the Americans called the railroad station Buckholz Station, it was actually Losheimergraben Station.
4 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Recommendation for Unit Citation, National Archives; 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview with Captain John Howe; 2nd Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview, both in CI-209; 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry, History, World War II Questionnaire #10226, 394th Infantry Material, Box 1; Combs is quoted in "The Fight for Losheimergraben," Richard H. Byers Papers, Box 1; Danny Dalyai to Charles, February 17, 1991, World War II Questionnaire #6789, 394th Infantry Material, Box 1; Bob Newbrough, unpublished memoir, p. 2, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, Box 4, Folder 2, all at USAMHI; Cavanagh, 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Recommendation for Unit Citation, National Archives; 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview with Captain John Howe; 2nd Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview, both in CI-209; 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry, History, World War II Questionnaire #10226, 394th Infantry Material, Box 1; Combs is quoted in "The Fight for Losheimergraben," Richard H. Byers Papers, Box 1; Danny Dalyai to Charles, February 17, 1991, World War II Questionnaire #6789, 394th Infantry Material, Box 1; Bob Newbrough, unpublished memoir, p. 2, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, Box 4, Folder 2, all at USAMHI; Cavanagh, Battle East of Elsenborn Battle East of Elsenborn, pp. 34-38; Cole, The Ardennes The Ardennes, pp. 82-86; MacDonald, A Time for Trumpets A Time for Trumpets, pp. 169-70; Lauer, Battle Babies Battle Babies, p. 23.
5 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Recommendation for Unit Citation, National Archives; 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview; 1st and 2nd Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interviews, all in CI-209; I SS Panzer Corps, AAR, MS #B-779, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, Box 8, Folder 4; Ralph Gamber to Raphael D"Amico-Geran, no date, World War II Questionnaire #1897, 394th Infantry Material, Box 1; Gamber to Joe Doherty, no date, Battle of the Bulge Historical Foundation Papers, Box 14, 99th Infantry Division Folder; John Hilliard to d.i.c.k Byers, February 26, 1990; William Kirkbride, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-3, both in Richard H. Byers Papers, Box 1; Kitchens to Foehringer; Harold Schaefer, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-5, World War II Questionnaire #6787, 394th Infantry Material, Box 3, all at USAMHI; Steve Kallas, oral history, Steve Kallas Collection, #110, Veterans History Project (VHP), American Folklife Center (AFC), Library of Congress (LOC), Washington, D.C. Cavanagh, 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Recommendation for Unit Citation, National Archives; 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview; 1st and 2nd Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, Combat Interviews, all in CI-209; I SS Panzer Corps, AAR, MS #B-779, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, Box 8, Folder 4; Ralph Gamber to Raphael D"Amico-Geran, no date, World War II Questionnaire #1897, 394th Infantry Material, Box 1; Gamber to Joe Doherty, no date, Battle of the Bulge Historical Foundation Papers, Box 14, 99th Infantry Division Folder; John Hilliard to d.i.c.k Byers, February 26, 1990; William Kirkbride, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-3, both in Richard H. Byers Papers, Box 1; Kitchens to Foehringer; Harold Schaefer, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-5, World War II Questionnaire #6787, 394th Infantry Material, Box 3, all at USAMHI; Steve Kallas, oral history, Steve Kallas Collection, #110, Veterans History Project (VHP), American Folklife Center (AFC), Library of Congress (LOC), Washington, D.C. Cavanagh, Battle East of Elsenborn Battle East of Elsenborn, pp. 73-86; Cole, The Ardennes The Ardennes, pp. 85-86, 90-94. Along the lines of screwups: During the retreat, Colonel Riley rashly ordered his men to abandon their vehicles, rather than reconnoiter, when they encountered machine-gun fire near the twin villages of Krinkelt and Rocherath. As it turned out, a battle was raging in the towns and some of the fire was friendly. The order had the effect of dispersing and disorganizing the survivors of the 394th. In a memoir that is housed in the World War II Museum Archives, Lieutenant Henry Reath, an artillery liaison officer, harshly criticized Colonel Riley for this order.
6 393rd Infantry Regiment, AAR, December 1944, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14190, Folder 2, National Archives; 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox, January 27, 1945; 2nd Platoon, B Company, 393rd Infantry, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox, January 27, 1945, both in CI-209; Sergeant Ben Nawrocki, "Battle of the Bulge, 1944," unpublished memoir, pp. 1-5, World War II Questionnaire #7895, 393rd Infantry Material, Box 2; Alvin Boeger, World War II Questionnaire #1637; Roy House, World War II Questionnaire #1499, both in 393rd Infantry Material, Box 1; Bernie Macay to Will Cavanagh, no date, Box 4, Folder 3, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, all at USAMHI; Lionel Adda, 393rd Infantry Regiment, AAR, December 1944, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14190, Folder 2, National Archives; 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox, January 27, 1945; 2nd Platoon, B Company, 393rd Infantry, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox, January 27, 1945, both in CI-209; Sergeant Ben Nawrocki, "Battle of the Bulge, 1944," unpublished memoir, pp. 1-5, World War II Questionnaire #7895, 393rd Infantry Material, Box 2; Alvin Boeger, World War II Questionnaire #1637; Roy House, World War II Questionnaire #1499, both in 393rd Infantry Material, Box 1; Bernie Macay to Will Cavanagh, no date, Box 4, Folder 3, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, all at USAMHI; Lionel Adda, The Bulge Bugle The Bulge Bugle, November 1990, pp. 16-17; Cole, The Ardennes The Ardennes, pp. 95-98; Dave Grossman and Loren Christensen, On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace (Portland, OR: PPCT Research Publications, 2007), pp. 30-46. (Portland, OR: PPCT Research Publications, 2007), pp. 30-46.
7 393rd Infantry Regiment, AAR, December 1944, National Archives; 3rd Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox, January 27, 1945, CI-209; Earl Wiseman to family, no date, World War II Questionnaire #7305; "History of Company M," World War II Questionnaire #2485, both in 393rd Infantry Material, Box 3, USAMHI; Robert Dettor, diary, December 16, 1944, 393rd Infantry Regiment, AAR, December 1944, National Archives; 3rd Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox, January 27, 1945, CI-209; Earl Wiseman to family, no date, World War II Questionnaire #7305; "History of Company M," World War II Questionnaire #2485, both in 393rd Infantry Material, Box 3, USAMHI; Robert Dettor, diary, December 16, 1944, The Bulge Bugle The Bulge Bugle, November 1994, p. 19; Cole, The Ardennes The Ardennes, pp. 96-97.
8 393rd Infantry Regiment, Unit History, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14189, Folder 2; AAR, December 1944, both at National Archives; Major Elmer Schmierer, S3, 393rd Infantry, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox; 2nd Platoon, B Company, 393rd, Combat Interview; 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry, Combat Interview; 3rd Battalion, 393rd Infantry, Combat Interview, all at CI-209; "History of Company M," USAMHI; James Langford, unpublished memoir, pp. 2-4, James Langford Collection, #7983, LOC; Allyn Vannoy and Jay Karamales, 393rd Infantry Regiment, Unit History, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 14189, Folder 2; AAR, December 1944, both at National Archives; Major Elmer Schmierer, S3, 393rd Infantry, Combat Interview with Captain William Fox; 2nd Platoon, B Company, 393rd, Combat Interview; 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry, Combat Interview; 3rd Battalion, 393rd Infantry, Combat Interview, all at CI-209; "History of Company M," USAMHI; James Langford, unpublished memoir, pp. 2-4, James Langford Collection, #7983, LOC; Allyn Vannoy and Jay Karamales, Against the Panzers: United States Infantry Versus German Tanks, 1944-1945 Against the Panzers: United States Infantry Versus German Tanks, 1944-1945 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers, 1996), pp. 238-39; Cavanagh, (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers, 1996), pp. 238-39; Cavanagh, Battle East of Elsenborn Battle East of Elsenborn, pp. 88-89; Cole, The Ardennes The Ardennes, pp. 99-100. The 1st Battalion of the 393rd withdrew later on December 17.
9 23rd Infantry Regiment, Unit History, December 1944, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 5366, Folder 1; 393rd Infantry Regiment, Unit History, AAR, December 1944, all at National Archives; all 393rd Infantry Combat Interviews, CI-209; Major General Walter Robertson, Combat Interview with Captain Francis Phelps, March 19, 1945; 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry, Combat Interview; Major Vernon Joseph, XO, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry, Combat Interview with Captain Francis Phelps, March 3, 1945, all at CI-20-21; Long Goffigan, Interview with Charles MacDonald, March 11, 1982, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, Box 2, Folder 3; Ewell Lee Smith to Charles MacDonald, June 23, 1975, Ewell Smith Papers, Box 1, Folder 2; Ewell Lee Smith to Colonel Cecil Roberts, September 10, 1985, Ewell Smith Papers, Box 1, Folder 3, all at USAMHI; Edward Bartkiewicz, oral history, Edward Bartkiewicz Collection, #18257, LOC; Charles MacDonald, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Unit History, December 1944, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 5366, Folder 1; 393rd Infantry Regiment, Unit History, AAR, December 1944, all at National Archives; all 393rd Infantry Combat Interviews, CI-209; Major General Walter Robertson, Combat Interview with Captain Francis Phelps, March 19, 1945; 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry, Combat Interview; Major Vernon Joseph, XO, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry, Combat Interview with Captain Francis Phelps, March 3, 1945, all at CI-20-21; Long Goffigan, Interview with Charles MacDonald, March 11, 1982, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, Box 2, Folder 3; Ewell Lee Smith to Charles MacDonald, June 23, 1975, Ewell Smith Papers, Box 1, Folder 2; Ewell Lee Smith to Colonel Cecil Roberts, September 10, 1985, Ewell Smith Papers, Box 1, Folder 3, all at USAMHI; Edward Bartkiewicz, oral history, Edward Bartkiewicz Collection, #18257, LOC; Charles MacDonald, Company Commander Company Commander (New York: Bantam, 1947), pp. 119-22; MacDonald, (New York: Bantam, 1947), pp. 119-22; MacDonald, A Time for Trumpets A Time for Trumpets, pp. 376-77.
10 23rd Infantry Regiment, Unit Journal, December 17, 1944, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 5368, Folder 1; 23rd Infantry Regiment, Unit History, December 1944; 741st Tank Battalion, AAR, December 1944; Unit Journal, December 17, 1944, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 16703, Folder 8, all at National Archives; 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Combat Interview, CI-20-21; Ewell Lee Smith, unpublished memoir, pp. 16-2 through 16-4, Ewell Smith Papers, Box 1, Folder 2; Smith to MacDonald, Smith to Roberts, Smith Papers; Ewell Smith to Charles MacDonald, March 26, 1982, Box 2, Folder 3; Hugh Burger to Charles MacDonald, Box 2, Folder 3; Goffigan interview, all in Charles B. MacDonald Papers, USAMHI; Bartkiewicz, oral history, LOC; Patrick Hargreaves, "With the Company Commander," 23rd Infantry Regiment, Unit Journal, December 17, 1944, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 5368, Folder 1; 23rd Infantry Regiment, Unit History, December 1944; 741st Tank Battalion, AAR, December 1944; Unit Journal, December 17, 1944, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 16703, Folder 8, all at National Archives; 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Combat Interview, CI-20-21; Ewell Lee Smith, unpublished memoir, pp. 16-2 through 16-4, Ewell Smith Papers, Box 1, Folder 2; Smith to MacDonald, Smith to Roberts, Smith Papers; Ewell Smith to Charles MacDonald, March 26, 1982, Box 2, Folder 3; Hugh Burger to Charles MacDonald, Box 2, Folder 3; Goffigan interview, all in Charles B. MacDonald Papers, USAMHI; Bartkiewicz, oral history, LOC; Patrick Hargreaves, "With the Company Commander," After the Battle After the Battle, Number 73, pp. 4-10; Cavanagh, Battle East of Elsenborn Battle East of Elsenborn, pp. 91-98; Vannoy and Karamales, Against the Panzers Against the Panzers, pp. 240-42; MacDonald, A Time for Trumpets A Time for Trumpets, pp. 378-80; MacDonald, Company Commander Company Commander, pp. 122-37. Most of the records list Smith as the commander of K Company during the battle, confirming his recollection that his CO was gone. However, MacDonald, in Company Commander Company Commander, a book he published in 1947 while the battle was fresh in his mind, wrote about interacting with K Company"s original commander throughout the battle. Yet, forty years later, in A Time for Trumpets A Time for Trumpets, MacDonald listed Smith as the CO. Because of these conflicting accounts, I have elected not to list the original K Company commander"s name.
11 38th Infantry Regiment, Unit Histories, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 5375, Folder 7, and Box 5376, Folder 3, both at National Archives; "The German Breakthrough, V Corps Sector," 2nd Infantry Division Combat Interview; 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, Combat Interview; Major William Hanc.o.c.k, Executive Officer, and Staff Sergeant Norman Bernstein, Operations Sergeant, Combat Interview with Captain Francis Phelps, March 17, 1945; Robertson interview, all at CI-20-21; Major General Walter Robertson, Record of Events, Box 2, Folder 3; Ralph Steele to Charles MacDonald, June 27, 1983, Box 2, Folder 3; Ralph Steele to Joe Doherty, April 8, 1982, Box 2, Folder 4, all in Charles B. MacDonald Papers, USAMHI; Cavanagh, 38th Infantry Regiment, Unit Histories, RG 407, Entry 427, Box 5375, Folder 7, and Box 5376, Folder 3, both at National Archives; "The German Breakthrough, V Corps Sector," 2nd Infantry Division Combat Interview; 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, Combat Interview; Major William Hanc.o.c.k, Executive Officer, and Staff Sergeant Norman Bernstein, Operations Sergeant, Combat Interview with Captain Francis Phelps, March 17, 1945; Robertson interview, all at CI-20-21; Major General Walter Robertson, Record of Events, Box 2, Folder 3; Ralph Steele to Charles MacDonald, June 27, 1983, Box 2, Folder 3; Ralph Steele to Joe Doherty, April 8, 1982, Box 2, Folder 4, all in Charles B. MacDonald Papers, USAMHI; Cavanagh, Battle East of Elsenborn Battle East of Elsenborn, pp. 107-11; MacDonald, A Time for Trumpets A Time for Trumpets, pp. 380-81.
12 Statement by First Lieutenant Roy Allen concerning "B" Company, 9th Inf engagement east of Rocherath, Belgium, on 17 and 18 December, 1944; 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Combat Interview; Hanc.o.c.k, Bernstein, Combat Interview, all at CI-20-21; Herbert Hunt, unpublished memoir, pp. 4-13; Herbert Hunt to Charles MacDonald, December 5, 1981, both in Box 2, Folder 5, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, USAMHI; Frank Royer, unpublished memoir, pp. 4-5, Frank Royer Collection, #3858, LOC; Cole, Statement by First Lieutenant Roy Allen concerning "B" Company, 9th Inf engagement east of Rocherath, Belgium, on 17 and 18 December, 1944; 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Combat Interview; Hanc.o.c.k, Bernstein, Combat Interview, all at CI-20-21; Herbert Hunt, unpublished memoir, pp. 4-13; Herbert Hunt to Charles MacDonald, December 5, 1981, both in Box 2, Folder 5, Charles B. MacDonald Papers, USAMHI; Frank Royer, unpublished memoir, pp. 4-5, Frank Royer Collection, #3858, LOC; Cole, The Ardennes The Ardennes, pp. 109-11; Cavanagh, Battle East of Elsenborn Battle East of Elsenborn , pp. 110-16; MacDonald, , pp. 110-16; MacDonald, A Time for Trumpets A Time for Trumpets, pp. 380-83; Vannoy and Karamales, Against the Panzers Against the Panzers, pp. 244-48. The accounts differ as to what kind of tanks attacked on the evening of December 17. Some claim they were Jagdpanzers; others refer to "Tigers"; still others claim that the Germans attacked with Mark V Panthers. Because of this confusion, I have elected to refrain from describing what sort of tanks attacked. Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention that large elements of the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Frank Mildren were in the twin villages that evening and helped stave off the enemy attack. For the sake of clarity and brevity, I have chosen to focus exclusively on McKinley"s 1st Battalion of the 9th Infantry.
13 Allen statement; 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, Combat Interview; Hanc.o.c.k, Bernstein, Combat Interview, all in CI-20-21; "AGF Report No. 559-Comments on Anti-tank Weapons," p. 4, Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia; Lieutenant Colonel Charles McMillan, "Manchus at the Crossroads: Defending the Northern Shoulder of the Bulge," Army War College Paper; Brigadier General John Hinds, Commander, 2nd Infantry Division artillery to Will Cavanagh, September 30, 1982, Box 2, Folder 3; Steele to MacDonald, Box 2, Folder 3; Hunt, unpublished memoir, pp. 13-15, Box 2, Folder 5; First Sergeant Henry Albin to Scotty, September 14, 1981, Box 2, Folder 5, all in Charles B. MacDonald Papers, USAMHI; Royer, unpublished memoir, p. 5, LOC; Edward Murphy, Allen statement; 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, Combat Interview; Hanc.o.c.k, Bernstein, Combat Interview, all in CI-20-21; "AGF Report No. 559-Comments on Anti-tank Weapons," p. 4, Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia; Lieutenant Colonel Charles McMillan, "Manchus at the Crossroads: Defending the Northern Shoulder of the Bulge," Army War College Paper; Brigadier General John Hinds, Commander, 2nd Infantry Division artillery to Will Cavanagh, September 30, 1982, Box 2, Folder 3; Steele to MacDonald, Box 2, Folder 3; Hunt, unpu