43rd Div,103rd Inf. Co. H

Seeking information on 43rd Div, 103rd Inf. Co. H. My father was a Mortar Gunner in Co. H and would like to know what Islands the unit were on.

 

Whats his name. I got my dads 43rd Div. photo book while at Camp Shelby 1942. I'll look to find his pic and scan it for you.

 

His name was Ben Goldman and he was from Flint Michigan. Thanks

 

In H Co. I'm showing Privates in the Gs Godbout, Edward G. and Goss, Everett F. I'll keep checking elsewhere. My dad Jones, Jewitt D is listed in Co C, however he ended up with Co A, 1st platoon, 43rd Cavalry Recon Troops. His best friend Fred Halverson, I hav'nt found him yet. Co H Commanding officer was a Capt. Roland A. Tardiff. I'm going to have to take the whole book and make a list where I can more easily look for names.

 

My dad was in the 43rd Div, 103rd Inf. Co. G. He tells me he was in the Phillippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Japan. I too am looking for more information.

 

Whats his name, I'll see if I can find his photo in said book.

 

I'm looking for any information on the 43rd Cavalry Recon Troopers who served in the Pacific during World War II. I am posting entries from my late father's service journal at www.frozenprose.com along with the few photos I have from his time there. I will warn you in advance that the journal is becoming quite graphic and contains descriptions of fellow soldiers being wounded in action.
My father, John Steve Moses, was inducted in the U.S. Army on May 18, 1942 and went to Camp Shelby from Camp Custer, Mich. He sailed aboard the Grant to New Zealand. Unfortunately, he usually only used last names in his journal. He was moved to the 43rd Cavalry Recon Troop in Sept. 1942 just before shipping out. He was evacuated on a P.T. boat in October 1944 and sent home.
His journal is cryptic in parts and I'm trying to fill in the blanks and see if anyone has a photo of him.
I have a photo of a soldier only identified as Baglio and would like to know his first name.

John R. Moses, Juneau, AK

 

John Moses, thanks for sharing your website. It's really neat.--Ray

 

John, I'm reminded of several book. For one is Jim Jones book _The Thin Red Line_ which is known for its gritty frankness. Much of Jones' books are banned, but I just can't imagine kids really understanding them. Secondly is Sloan's _The Man In the Grey Flannel Suit_, which portrayed PTSD quite well. You can only imagine the number of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Merchantmen, Coast Guard, and others who suffered such and continued to suffer the rest of their lives. We're only now hearing about it, but negatively so. I was in combat for nearly a year, under sniper fire, indirect harassing fire, almost continuously, but relatively safe. It was annoying, dangers were there, but you got used to it. Getting used to it is the key to maintain stability, focus, and endurance. The other factors that your father suffered are unbelievable: the unknown, the weather, the sicknesses/ailments, the enemy, the dangerous conditions of equipment and negligent/careless personnel. Hard to imagine today and I don't know if I could take it. As a country what did we do for those veterans? I remember those who were captured and suffered injuries while in enemy POW camps were not afforded benefits from those injuries until President Nixon changed some of the rulings. President Nixon for crying out loud. I'm still reading your postings.--Ray

 

Welcome John,

Excellent and rare father's GI journal. Many thanks for posting and bringing it to our attention.

Like many I am more familiar with the US Army in Europe. I know the Army in the Pacific differed, first by the early deployment of divisions and then by the nature the terrain. I could recall the Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop in Europe and did not remember any AT Guns, but then I checked an early war T/O found they differed significantly.

http://niehorster.orbat.com/013_usa/42_org/div-inf_42/di_recon.html


Still motorized but without the M-8 armored cars -- just as well, won't need those until the Philippines.

Ah, P & D - Pioneer and Demolition (far right on the link page, shows Section [two dots] could be Squad [one dot])

Turned in the Scout Cars before the Munda operation -- I'm not sure if they will even need the jeeps there.

Great stuff.

Again Welcome!

 

Thanks for the feedback, and for solving the mystery of P & D.