Capt. Gilbert B Doolittle, 6th Infantry Division, C.O.-Comp. A, 98th CMB. May 28, 1915-Feb. 1, 1945

In Memoriam
PFC LeMann E. Berg - General Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
2nd Lt Wallace J. Carl - Seymour, Australia
Pvt Bing F. Chin - Luzon
Pvt William A. Condry - Luzon
Cpl Lantz O. Cross - Luzon
Capt Gilbert B. Doolittle - Luzon
T/5 Francis E. Heil - Oro Bay, New Guinea
S/Sgt Maurice Johnson - General Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
PFC Richard J. Kumor - Luzon
Sgt Max Monteith - Oro Bay, New Guinea
PFC Frank J. Puchoras - Luzon
2nd Lt Joseph P. Russell - Biak, New Guinea
T/4 Winfred A. Tillotson - Luzon
Sgt David Wetzel - Oro Bay, New Guinea

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In December, the airfields at Leyte and Mindoro were made reasonably operational and the stage was set for the push to Luzon.

In the meantime, the Bastard Boys had found a home in the SIXTH Army and their presence was not only tolerated, but welcomed. The unit, now reborn as the 98th Chemical Mortar Battalion, left its comfortable camp at Wabron Baroe and was thus divided:

Companies A and D staged at Sansapor with one half of the battalion headquarters component. Major Robert Preston and Captain Gilbert Doolittle were the staff officers attached. Company A, with Captain Frank Stubbs commanding, was attached to the U.S. Navy to man the 4.2 inch mortars which were mounted on the LCIs (M) for close-in beach bombardment.

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As Captain Stubbs had been hospitalized with wounds as a result of the "E" boat attack, Captain Gilbert Doolittle was ordered to command Company A. The two platoons loaned to the Navy were returned to duty and by S+3, Lieutenant Bell's provisional platoon had been returned to Company D.

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Captain Doolittle, CO of Company A, 98th CMB, was aware of the panicky situation developing and obtained permission to take command of Company G, 20th Infantry Regiment. He was able to maneuver the reserve platoon into position for covering fire and collected the available infantrymen to man a defensive perimeter. The 3rd platoon was ordered to cover the enemy positions with WP and the other platoons were ordered to go into position and do the same. The 1st and 2nd platoons had been mobile loaded in order to move forward with the anticipated infantry advance.

Behind a smoke screen, Company G successfully evacuated its casualties and reorganized. Captain Doolittle was recommended for the Silver Star and his radio operator the Bronze Star.

The three platoons fired 1,850 rounds of HE and WP on the enemy in this engagement.

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Capt Gilbert Burton Doolittle (1915 - 1945) - Find A Grave Memorial


Valor awards for Gilbert B. Doolittle

Sixth Infantry Division