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IN MEMORIAM
Photographs of the Nissan Island cemetery show far more graves than we have accounted for. Most of those listed below died in
plane crashes over water or enemy territory and their bodies were never recovered. On the other hand, there are no listings of those
who died of natural causes: malaria being a common predator of troops and natives alike. Interesting,
there is also no mention of the inevitable results of some 20,000 men and an
arsenal crammed onto a steamy island.
The Seabees saw their second airstrip christened in blood; even as they were completing it, a heavily damaged Liberator attempted a landing, but crashed and disintegrated.
The number of Japanese who died in the Green Islands is unknown. Many leapt over the cliffs to avoid being captured and their bodies were washed out to sea. Bob Conner saw remains along the beaches during his roamings.
Many of those buried on remote islands were transferred to
Punchbowl cemetery in Hawaii after the war.
http://www.hnn.navy.mil/Archives/010126/seabeemem_0126.htm
Green Island Reconnaissance and Invasion
Jan 31: reconnaissance mission: U.S. coxswain and 2 gunners, O’Dowd, New Zealand
Feb. 16: 5 New Zealanders killed on Sirot Island
Feb 20: Capt. PRW Adams, New Zealand 3rd Div. at Tanaheran
93rd Naval Construction Battalion
June 10, 1944: 5 die in dynamite blast
Frank Sanchez
Mancel William Simmons
Joseph Henry Sowa
David John Walters (Page Listing)
John Dalton Walters (Index)
Lorn
Oct. 6, 1944: apparantly natural causes
Andrew Zorn Jr.
Nov. 26, 1944: (San Antonio, Samar) struck by stray enemy shell
Charles Lawrence Curtis
April 11, 1945: (Guiuan, Philippines)1 died in Himy crew blasting in Philippines
Donald Edward Shackelford
VMB-423
James P. McCullough 11/1/43
Charles E. Schwieman 11/1/43
Thomas S. Szymanski, Jr. 11/1/43
Irving R. Werner, Jr. 11/1/43
Anthony J. Gallo 3/3/44
James W. Lee, Jr. 3/3/44
Robert W. Lide 3/3/44
Bert C. Sanders 3/3/44
Henry E. Seeman 3/3/44
Thaddeus H. Banachowski 4/20/44
Alden R. Carlson 4/20/44
John T. Gunn 4/20/44
Raymond T. Marks 4/20/44
Reber H. Smith 4/20/44
Clyde E. Yates 4/20/44
John A. Donovan 4/22/44
Dwight D. Ekstam 4/22/44
Wayne R. Erickson 4/22/44
Laverne A. Lallathin 4/22/44
James A. Sisney 4/22/44
Walter B. Vincent, Jr. 4/22/44
John D. Yeager 4/22/44
Roderick H. Herndon 6/2/44
Thornwell Rogers 6/22/44
Clifford S. Buckley, Jr. 6/22/44
Jewel T. Hawkins 6/22/44
Vernon R. Kistner 6/22/44
Richard B. Lucy 6/22/44
Edwin J. McDowell 6/22/44
Winton G. Walk 6/22/44
Richard A. Edmonds 6/29/44
Dewett T. Greene, Jr. 6/29/44
Raymond M. Hallbauer 6/29/44
Roy H. Morrison 6/29/44
Nimrod C. Olinger 6/29/44
Loren N. VanBuskirk 6/29/44
Willie T. Phillips 12/23/44
VMSB- 341
Jan. 11, 1944: (from Munda) strike over Lakunai Airfield, Rabaul
Fred Farrelly
Lt. Carroll
Jan 17, 1944: (From Munda) strike over Simson Harbor at Rabaul
Lt. Tuck
Paul McCleaf
also lost fighters in another squad
Jan. 26 or Jan. 30, 1944 (From Bougainville) strike over Lakunai Airfield, Rabaul
Lt. Howard Coonley
PFC. Jack B. Thomann
May 2, 1944: hit by same AA strike on Tobera airfield at Rabaul
Sgt. Robert V. Anderson
1st Lt. William K. Harkins
S/Sgt Van Cicero (Dick) Swearingen
Capt. Walter L. Jordan
July 19, 1944: own bomb blast on New Ireland
Bob Heroux
37th NCB
3/3/44: Dozer operator found with throat slit: (source Conner Diary)
Black Cats VP-115 Squadron
May 20, 1944: Green Island Strike: Crashed and exploded in the water 3 miles east of Pinipel Island after take-off on an
operational mission from Green Island. All personnel killed:
Pilot Lt(jg) Steve Bolton Pitt A-V(N) USNR,
Ens Philip Frederick Reese A-V(N) USNR,
Ens Charles R. Marquois A-V(N) USNR,
Cap Robert Cassellman (AA) USN,
Acmm Thomas Wilson Miller (PA),
Aomb3c Howard Stanley Hasbrook,
Aom2c Basil Edward Whitney,
Rm2c John Harvey Mitchell,
Rm2c Elmer Allan Bowman,
Amm2c Andrew John Jelak,
Amm3c John Francis Sturtevant,
Amm2c James Fisher Steele,Jr.
Aom3c Tino Martinez Flores.
Jan. 12, 1945: Accident on take off and resulting fire
Rm3c F. Alesso USNR
VP101/VPB29
Joe Summers (and crew) pictured in Larry Katz Photos and
captions. Summers captured and beheaded by Japanese.(Larry Katz)
Unknown Units
March 29: First plane to land on bomber strip - a damaged Liberator -
Crashes and disintegrates, killing all crew.
July 8- 9, 1944: VMSB-341 searching for downed Corsair (Melvin Clark)
April 30, 1944: search for 4 downed F4U plots (VMSB-341 Album)
April or May - US PT boat bombed by US pilots (VMSB-341 Album)
3 died
April 7, 1944: strike over Rapopo
A TBF (reported in VMSB-341 Album)