Aleutians (Alaska-Attu and Kiska) 1942

Davis, Alton Joseph

Rank and Name, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Alton Joseph Davis.

Unit/Placed in, Patrol Squadron 41, (VP-41) United States Navy.

Alton is born approx. on 4 Jan. 1920 in Louisiana.

Father, Luther Davis.

Mother, Laura Davis.

Sister(s), Mammie and Marie Davis.

Brother(s), John, Elbert, Woodie and Edward Davis.

Alton enlisted the service in Louisiana with service number # 2744074.

Alton‘s Crew-members on-board the plane a PBY-5 Catalina were,

LtJg. Jean C. Cusik Pilot

Ap1. Clarck W. Morrison

Rm3. John F. Collins

Amm2. Alton J. Davis

Amm2. Burdette B. Siler

Arm2. Louis B. Yurek

Ens. Wyllie M. Hunt POW

Aom3. Carl Q. Creamer POW

Sea2. Joseph W. Brown POW

Alton was KIA when they took off on Patrol Mission and got shot by the Japanese, crashed in Dutch Harbor, (3 survived) on 3 June 1942, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Alton is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

Alton also has a Memorial Grave at Jena Cemetery, Jena, La Salle Parish, Louisiana, VS.

Thanks to, https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/pby/cusick.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

La Bar Jr. , John W.

Name and Rank, Private John W. La Bar Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 36th Bomber Squadron, 28th Bomber Group (Heavy).

John was born approx. on Aug. 27, 1921 in Columbus, Indiana.

Father, John W. La Bar.

Mother, Esta M. La Bar.

Sister, Katherine L. La Bar.

John entered the service from Indiana with service number # 15099278.

John W. La Bar Jr. was a Tail Gunner/Crew (B-17) in the 36th Bomber Squadron .

John’s crewmembers and their positions on the plane a B-17 were:

Capt. Thomas M. Manfield Pilot

2nd Lt. Irving Bergman Co-Pilot

1nd Lt. Francis C. Cornwell Navigator

1st Lt. Lyle A. Slocum Bombardier

Sgt. Paul V. Orval Engineer

Cpl. Edgar L. Rogers Jr. Radio Operator

Pvt. Edwin T. Bottelson Left Waist Gunner

Pvt. Wilfred M. Hellebrand Tail Gunner

Pvt. John W. La Bar Jr. Right Waist Gunner

John W. La Bar Jr. was KIA they were hit by AA from the Japanese Ship Takao, and they crashed near Dutch Harbor, Alaska on June 4, 1942, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Badge, Marksman Ship Badge, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

John is buried at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii.

Courts of the Missing.

He is also Mentioned at Memorial To The Missing, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, Alaska, USA.

Thanks to https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-9084.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

The pilot of his plane was Thomas F Mansfield. On June 4, they attacked the Japanese cruiser Takao, which was part of a 7 ship fleet (including aircraft carriers) trying to make an air attack on Dutch Harbor. The B-17 took a direct hit as Mansfield tried to make a very low level attack (almost at deck level) on the cruiser. The B-17 burst into flames and then smashed into the water just short of the Takao and sank immediately. Nobody could get out of the plane before it sank. The attack was witnessed by the crew of a second B-17.

Alleckson, Theodore Aleck

Rank and Name, Private Theodore A. Alleckson.

Unit/Placed in, 36^th Bomber Squadron, 28^th Bomber Group (heavy).

Theodore is approx. born on 1917 in North Dakota.

Father, Alleck J. Alleckson.

Mother, Anna E. (Strand) Alleckson.

Sisters, Teresa E. GeraldineA. And Anette Alleckson.

Brother, Erling A. Alleckson.

Theodor enlisted the service in North Dakota with service number # 37611263.

Theodore’s Crew-members and position on-board the plane a B-17 were,

Major Jack S. Marks Pilot

2^nd Lt. John R. Giddens Co Pilot

1^st Lt. Harold E. Mitts Navigator

S/Sgt. John B. Cane Bombardier

Cpl. Edward P. Dwelis Engineer

Cpl. Hubert D. Smith Radio Operator

Pvt. Concetto Castagna Jr. Top Turret Gunner

Pvt. Robert G. Brown Waist Gunner

Pvt. Theodore A. Alleckson Tail Gunner

Sgt. Bill V. Diehl Photographer

Theodore was KIA when the plane was in diving position and on fire, exploded nobody bailed out and crashed near Rat Island on July 17, 1942, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Theodore is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

Thanks to https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-9126.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Arvan, Herbert Joseph

Rank and Name, Mess Attendant Second Class Herbert Joseph Arvan.

Unit/Placed in, USS Grunion (SS-216) Submarine, United States Navy.

Herbert is born approx. on 1 May, 1924 in Louisiana.

Father, Delton J. Arvan.

Mother, Leona Arvan.

Brother(s), Fulton Arvan.

Herbert enlisted the service in Louisiana with service number # 6441053.

Herbert was KIA when the Sub was attacked by the armed Japanese Freighter Kano Maru near the Harbor Entrance from Kiska on July 30, 1942, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Herbert is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

Thanks to, http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/45a.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Cooper, Charles Herbert

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Charles Herbert Cooper.

Unit/Placed in, 36^th Bomber Squadron, 28^th Bomber Group (Heavy).

Charles is born approx. on July 4, 1940 in South Carolina.

Father, Broader Cooper.

Mother, Lula Cooper.

Sisters, Margaret, Frances and Jean Cooper.

Brothers, Wilbur, Jean and Wayne Cooper.

Charles enlisted the service in South Carolina with service number # 0-426871.

Charles ’s Crew-members and position on-board the plane a B-17 were,

1^st Lt. Albert J. Wilsey Pilot

1^st Lt. Raymond L. Adair Co Pilot

2^nd Lt. Charles H. Cooper Navigator

2^nd Lt. John W. Sheppard Bombardier

Cpl. Paul W. Lyden Unknown

Pvt. Charles M. Kantner Unknown

Pvt. Rudolph S. Olesnovich Unknown

Pvt. Harold W. Knutson Unknown

Pvt. Donald W. Brown Unknown

Charles was KIA on a Bombing Mission to Kiska, the way back the Pilot became disorientated by the bad weather and flew in a other direction on Aug. 25, 1942, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Charles is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

He also got a Grave in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Thanks to Jean Louis Vijgen, ABMC, https://abmc.gov

P.O.W. info, Wes Injerd and Dwight Rider, http://www.mansell.com/pow-index.html Air-Force, Rolland Swank NavyLog, http://navylog.navymemorial.org Familysearch.com, https://www.familysearch.org

Philippine Scouts Heritage Society,http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Marines Info Geoffrey Roecker, https://missingmarines.com/

Medals Info, http://www.honorstates.org

Hendriks Webdesign, https://hendrikswebdesign.nl/

http://www.wwiimemorial.com/Registry/Search.aspx

Allen, Daniel Emery

Rank and Name, Signalman Third Class Daniel Emery Allen.

Unit/Placed in,USS Grunion (SS-216) Submarine, United States Navy.

Daniel is born on Feb. 3, 1923 in Canton, Indiana.

Father, John Allen.

Mother, Hannah Allen.

Sister, Maggie Allen.

Brothers, Willie, George and Harald Allen.

enlisted the service in Indiana with service number # 2874211.

Daniel was KIA when the American submarine USS Grunion was sunk, during a confrontation with the armed Japanese freighter Kano Maru, near the entrance to Kiska Harbor, Alaska. on July 30, 1942, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Daniel is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

Thanks to http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/allen-d-e.htm Jean Louis Vijgen, ABMC, https://abmc.gov Info P.O.W.

Wes Injerd, Dwight Rider: http://www.mansell.com/pow-index.html

NavyLog, http://navylog.navymemorial.org Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, Sean Conjenos, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Familysearch.com, https://www.familysearch.org Navy Marines Info Geoffrey Roecker, https://missingmarines.com/ Medals Info, http://www.honorstates.org Website, https://hendrikswebdesign.nl/

Allan, James A.

Rank and Name, Sergeant James A. Allen.

Unit/Placed in, 206^th Coast Artillery Regiment.

James is born 1920 in Hornor Township, Arkansas.

Father, William M. Allen.

Mother, Clema Allen.

Sisters, Frances M. and Dorothy N. Allen.

Brothers, Gearge E. and Jessie C. Allen.

James enlisted the service in Arkansas with service number # 20757767.

James died defending Aleutian soil against the Japanese Occupation on Oct. 19, 1942, he is honored with the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

James is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

Thanks to http://www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/Image-Gallery/Historical-Paintings/Heritage-Series/Defense-of-the-Aleutians/ Jean Louis Vijgen, ABMC, https://abmc.gov Info P.O.W.

Wes Injerd, Dwight Rider: http://www.mansell.com/pow-index.html

NavyLog, http://navylog.navymemorial.org Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, Sean Conjenos, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Familysearch.com, https://www.familysearch.org Navy Marines Info Geoffrey Roecker, https://missingmarines.com/ Medals Info, http://www.honorstates.org Website, https://hendrikswebdesign.nl/

Abele, Mannert Lincoln

Rank and Name, Lieutenant Commander Mannert Lincoln Abele.

Unit/Placed in on, USS Grunion (SS-216) Submarine, United States Navy.

Mannert is born in 1903 in Massachusetts.

Father, Franciscus I. Abele.

Mother, Addie (Tupper) Abele.

Mannert enlisted the service in Massachuchsetts with service number # 0-060162.

Mannert was KIA when the Sub was attacked by the armed Japanese Freighter Kano Maru near the Harbor Entrance from Kiska on July 30, 1942, Lieutenant Commander Mannert L. Abele is honored with a Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, Submarine Warfare Insignia, American Defense Medal with bronze star, Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon, Purple Heart, The Navy Cross, Combat Action Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with star and the WWII Victory Medal.

Mannert is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA.

Courts of the Missing.

Mannert also has a Memorial Grave at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thanks to http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/45a.htm Jean Louis Vijgen, ABMC, https://abmc.gov Info P.O.W.

Wes Injerd, Dwight Rider: http://www.mansell.com/pow-index.html

NavyLog, http://navylog.navymemorial.org Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, Sean Conjenos, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Familysearch.com, https://www.familysearch.org Navy Marines Info Geoffrey Roecker, https://missingmarines.com/ Medals Info, http://www.honorstates.org Website, https://hendrikswebdesign.nl/

TLCDR Mannert Lincoln Abele (SS) USN enlisted in the Navy August 12, 1920 and was appointed to the Naval Academy in June, l 1922. He was commissioned an Ensign June 3, 1926 and after the normal assignments to surface sea duty, entered training at Submarine School at New London in 1929. Prior to World War II, he commanded R-13 and S-31. On April 11, 1942 he assumed command of the USS Grunion SS-216 when she was commissioned. For the first war patrol she was assigned to the Western Aleutian Islands. On station, Grunion sunk two Japanese 300 ton Patrol Boats and heavily damaged a third. After severe depth charge attacks she was ordered to leave the Kiska Island area and report to a safe anchorage at Dutch Harbor. She never arrived, and was eventually reported missing and presumed lost.

Her fate remained a mystery for many years until LCDR Abele’s sons underwrote a search in the outer Aleutian Islands, were they discovered Grunion at a depth of 3,000 feet off Kiska Island.

According to one report, a confrontation with the Armed Japanese Freighter, IJN Kano Maru off Kiska Island took place and Grunion attacked with torpedoes. IJN Kano Maru was said to have lost electric power and communications capability after a torpedo strike damaged the starboard engine room. A second strike below the bridge was a dud as were two other torpedo strikes. The IJN Kano Maru then counter-attacked the surfaced submarine with a deck gun and sank the Grunion.

The IJN Kano Maru, damaged in the exchange of weapons, was later sunk by aircraft on September 15, 1942.

The USS Mannert L. Abele DD-733 is named for LCDR Abele.

NAVY CROSS CITATION

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Mannert Lincoln Abele USN, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Grunion SS-216, during its First War patrol, in Alaskan Waters. Lieutenant Commander Abele conducted an aggressive and successful submarine war patrol from 30 June 1942 to 24 July 1942. He pressed home all attacks in such a skillful and resolute manner that he attacked and sank in one day, three enemy destroyers of the Towlekju Class. Despite severe anti-submarine measures, Lieutenant Commander Abele brought his ship safely through these counter attacks but was subsequently lost from an unknown cause. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Submitted by Doug Bewall RMCM USN Ret.

Sources:

Naval historical Center, Washington D.C.

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

The Destroyer History Foundation website

PacificWrecks.com (1995-2012)

Abbott, Chase

Rank and Name, Corporal Chase Abbott (Navigator).

Unit/Placed in on, 42^nd Troop Carrier Squadron, .

Chase is born in 1918 in Scituate Town, Massachusetts.

Father, Augustus Abbott.

Mother, Eva A. Abbott.

Chase enlisted the service in Massachusetts with serial # 11037418.

Chase died in a accident crash (no Record) at Ft. Randall, Alaska making a supply delivery on Oct. 19, 1942 , Corporal Chase Abbott is honored with a Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

Chase is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA.

Thanks to Jean Louis Vijgen, ABMC, https://abmc.gov Info P.O.W.

Wes Injerd, Dwight Rider: http://www.mansell.com/pow-index.html

NavyLog, http://navylog.navymemorial.org Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, Sean Conjenos, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Familysearch.com, https://www.familysearch.org Navy Marines Info Geoffrey Roecker, https://missingmarines.com/ Medals Info, http://www.honorstates.org Website, https://hendrikswebdesign.nl/