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81st Infantry, 322 Regiment.."Wildcats"

Discussion in 'Land Warfare in the Pacific' started by snipeforever, Jun 25, 2010.

  1. WILD DUKW

    WILD DUKW Active Member

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    HOPI CODE TALKERS

    It is not widely know that Hopi Code Talkers served in combat with the 322nd Infantry. It is also possible some of these men were also assigned to the 323rd on Peleliu during the later phase of the fighting there. As with all code talkers in the US Army, they served in ad hoc code talker units. The Hopi code talkers saved many lives using their language as an unbreakable secret code.
     
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  2. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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  3. Ryan McGrantham

    Ryan McGrantham New Member

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    Hi Karen,

    I just found out today that my great grandfather actually began in the 322nd, Company K, as a Second Lieutenant and not Company I as I originally thought. He was transferred to Company I on October 20, 1944 and served in Company I the rest of the war. I have a bunch of morning reports for Company K up to the point that my great grandfather was transferred, if you’re interested.

    If you or anyone else with a connection to the 322nd regiment Companies K or I is interested in these, I’d be happy to share, just let me know your email address. Because I ordered documents specific to my great grandfather they are limited to the times that he served in Companies K and I, respectively, but perhaps it can be helpful.


    Ryan McGrantham
     
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  4. Andrew H

    Andrew H New Member

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    My grandfather was in Company M of the 323rd Infantry Regiment. His name was Roy N. Hearne, Jr. I’m trying to find out about his WWII service. He didn’t talk much about it to my dad. After he passed away, my dad found a small Japanese flag and a few pictures and letters that I guess he took off of Japanese bodies.
     

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  5. eastonlax

    eastonlax New Member

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    Facebook Group: 81st Wildcat Association
    81st Wildcat Association

    Peleliu 75th Anniversary
    "Mark your calendars for 13-15 September in Columbia, South Carolina for a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the 81st Wildcats' landing on Anguar and Peleliu Islands. We have historians who can share the history of the Wildcats and their actions in World War Two. Think about bringing your historical pictures, uniforms, and artifacts to share though show-and-tell of your families' personal histories!"
     
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  6. AUSNK

    AUSNK New Member

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    Details for the 75th Anniversary of Peleliu and Anguar event Listed above In Columbia SC Sept 13-15 -
    I will be attending the event and looking to learn more about the 81st. .

    81st Wildcat Association

    We will be holding our Wildcat Reunion and 75th Anniversary Commemoration at the 81st Readiness Division's building, Building 1525, 81 Wildcat Way on Fort Jackson (Columbia, South Carolina). We will provide directions to Fort Jackson and the building, as well as instructions for getting on post, closer to our event. Security officials might ask us to provide a list of attendees' names in advance to facilitate screening at the entrance gates. We will let you know.

    The first day starts on Friday 13 September at 1pm. We will start by focusing on the Wildcats in World War One. Closer to the end of the afternoon, we will switch to World War Two with an overview and commemoration of the Wildcats' attack on Angaur and Peleliu Islands; current employees of the 81st Readiness Division will be invited to join us for this. We will end the day at the Basic Combat Training Museum of Fort Jackson.

    On Saturday 14 September, we will begin at 9am. The focus of this day will mainly be the Wildcats in World War Two. We will also have time for a film, for attendees to talk about their research and\or their family members' service, and for Q&A with the historians and any vets who are able to attend.

    Sunday 15 September will begin at 10am with a 75th Commemoration Service. We expect wrap up around noon.

    We don't plan on charging a registration fee. People will simply cover the cost of their own meals when we break for lunches and suppers at local restaurants. We hope the hotel information provided previously has proven helpful for everyone! All major airlines fly into Columbia, SC, usually from a major hub (American, Delta, United for sure); the airport code is CAE.

    We ask that people intending to come let us know with your name, name of anyone accompanying you, and a brief explanation of your connection to the Wildcats. If you wish space to display pictures or artifacts, please confirm. Also let us know if you would like to give a talk to our attendees about your research or family.
     
  7. Eric Neece

    Eric Neece New Member

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    My grandfather Randolph M. Parker also known as Doc was also in Co M of the 323rd. From the very limited records I have he was with a heavy machine gun squad. I have a couple of pictures as well that I would be glad to share if you are interested.
     
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  8. Eric Neece

    Eric Neece New Member

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    My grandfather Randolph M. Parker also known as Doc was with the 81st Infantry Div, 323rd Infantry Reg and I believe Company M. He served with a heavy machine gun group. He never talked about the war so I do not know much of it through his eyes.
     

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  9. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Great pics Eric.
     
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  10. AUSNK

    AUSNK New Member

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    Thanks for sharing, Your middle picture with his ribbon, Do you know what the first one is? I thought it might be Legion of Merit but it does not have the white stripe on each side. If you have any other pics please post them up. My Grandfather was in the 323rd HQ company.
     
  11. Eric Neece

    Eric Neece New Member

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    After looking at the picture again and closer, I determined that the two ribbons on top were not actually my grandfather's Army ribbons from WWII but from my uncle who was in the Navy during Vietnam. The solid red one is a Navy good conduct ribbon and the red/white/yellow is a National Defense Service ribbon. (the blue stripe on the red is faded out)
     
  12. AUSNK

    AUSNK New Member

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    That would be why I could not find it under army ribbons :) . Again thanks for sharing.
     
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  13. Eric Neece

    Eric Neece New Member

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    Here are a couple of more pictures that I found. Unfortunately besides my grandfather I do not know anyone else in the pictures.
     

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  14. AUSNK

    AUSNK New Member

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  15. B. Nechamkin

    B. Nechamkin New Member

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  16. B. Nechamkin

    B. Nechamkin New Member

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    My father George Nechamkin was also in HQ Company 323d. listed as Cpl on his Discharge Papers. He was awarded the CIB, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Theater Ribbon with Two Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with One Star. He re-enlisted and was part of the occupation force of Japan! Later he was sent to fight in Korea as a Sargent. He never spoke about his war time experience. I was told by an uncle he used a flamethrower on Peleliu. During his final days my father said he could never forget the awful smell of what the flamethrower did to the enemy... it bothered him his entire life.
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2020
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  17. Eric Neece

    Eric Neece New Member

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    After I posted the picture of the ribbons I realized that the top two ribbons were my uncles. He was in the Navy during Vietnam.
     
  18. Eric Neece

    Eric Neece New Member

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  19. Eric Neece

    Eric Neece New Member

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    I found a few more pictures of my grandfather Randolph M. (Doc) Parker who was in the 323rd Infantry Regiment. I do not know the other men in the pictures sadly.
     
  20. AUSNK

    AUSNK New Member

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    Thank you for sharing. Peleliu was a terrible battle, I know my grandfather would not talk about it either.

    Was your father in the 1st or 2nd battalion 323rd HQ Company? If he was in the 2nd battalion HQ it might be worth going through my photos to see if he is any of them.
    81st Wildcat Division

    I got to meet another member of 323rd 2nd bat HQ company this past summer by the name of Wendall Clift. It is possible that he might have known your father.
     

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