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Pacific Theater of Operations, WW II

patdav007

This is really a tale of 3 brothers, although there were 4 that enlisted during the WW II era. This is (LtoR) Paul, James, and Charles Wishart of Warren Ohio. All these boys served in the Pacific Theater and they all enlisted originally thru the 37th Ohio National Guard Buckeye Division. I'm searching for records on James in particulat but I'm also missing documents for Charles & Paul. I have a pretty good timeline of "known", "unknown", and "most likely scenarios" for all 3 men. By the way, Paul and Charles are twins.

19Feb1938 James, enlists Ohio Nat'l Guard (no record, family history from living daughter and brother Charles while he was living.

30Jan1941 Paul and Charles enlist in Ohio (have record). They ask to be sent to Camp Shelby where their older brother James who is already a sergeant with the 37th Div. This too is family history from Charles' stories. He may be slightly off on timing though. The history books say that the 37th did not arrive at Camp Shelby until Feb 1941. The 38th Div arrived in 1940.

Sometime in 1941 Family photo archive, James in New Guinea dated 1941.

May1941 Newly enlisted Paul & Charles arrive at Camp Shelby. According to Charles, the brothers were both assigned to the 37th Div 145th Infantry Regt Co F. As the story goes, all 3 men were at Camp Shelby Dec 7th when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. They participated with the 37th in the Louisiana Maneuvers between Jun and Sep 1941. This would have been the 32nd, 37th, 34th & 38th Divisions between Camp Livingston, Camp Claiborne & Camp Polk LA. 

In Nov1941 the twins went to Indiantown Gap PA for further training but it is unknown whether or not James was there.

Feb1942 James enlists at Camp Shelby but is listed as branch immaterial or warrant officer. I was told this most likely means he was "unassigned". I have no story of James being a warrant officer.

Apr1942 the 32nd Div (that was at the Louisiana Maneuvers) deployed to the PTO.

May1942 the 37th Div deployed to the PTO departing San Francisco for Fiji Islands with Charles and Paul. Charles' story is James was supposed to go with his brothers & the 37th but last minute did not go but got assigned to the 32nd Div with an unknown Engineering Battalion. I don't know if James left in April with the 32nd nor do I have any details. The only other record I have of James & the 32nd is a newspaper article from the Warren Tribune dated Apr 1945. The article tells how James received a Presidential Commendation for building a bridge under enemy fire with the 32nd Div Combat Engineer Battalion......Back to the timeline:

June1942 Paul & Charles arrive at Fiji, and by Jul1943 they are in the 1st big battle with the 37th while assisting the 43rd Div at Munda Airfield.

Aug1943 Paul is killed in action in a foxhole next to his brother Charles. Charles is wounded by the same mortar round that killed his brother. Both men received medals for this campaign. The brothers had served side by side from beginning to end. Charles continues on....

March1944 James appears again in hometown news. He & 5 other men saved the day when the camps gas dump caught fire. The story lists James as a Lieutenant, in New Guinea & received recognition for his actions here as well. 

Apr1944 James is admitted to the hospital for shrapnel & released back to duty (have record).

Jun1944 Charles is wounded at Bougainville, Hill 700 with the 37th Div. He too remains in active duty.

Jul1944 James is admitted to the hospital for Malaria & scrub typhus, released back to duty.

Apr1945 Bridge under fire incident with James and the 32nd Eng Com Bn.

So....James Wishart with the 32nd Div Unknown Eng Com Bn. Two major campaigns; Luzon & New Guinea. Paul & Charles Wishart with the 37th Div 145th Inf Reg Co F. Two major campaigns; Munda Airfield & Bouganville which Paul died at Munda so only Charles saw both battles.

Now to the records.....This has been very complicated. Early on I created a spread sheet of NAID#'s and the info within. That was helpful because I could literally "see" that NAID# prefix "374" (for example-374 960 622) is mainly Field Artillery. I am looking for an Engineer. I'm guessing that I'm looking for a construction or combat engineer, not general service engineer. James was also an engineer in his civilian life after the war. The majority of my search has been Record Group 64 between the numbers 371 201 008 to 437 447 566. Series: Muster Rolls and Rosters, Operation Reports and Morning Reports. I have by no means opened every file unit between these numbers but I have opened 367 of them. I take a stab at a file unit, take note of what's in it, and record short detail in my spread sheet. I have hit the most 37th Div at 375 841 495 and 375 841 544 with no record of Paul and Charles found. In the 400's (operation reports) I've found 32nd Div records and there are many. I have only went through 5 of them. Another thing I can see in the spreadsheet is chronological order of the regt and battalions (up or down). From the 129th Inf (376 152 037) to 140th (376 217 711) for instance. That's the last number I can find in the series & it's the 140th.....i need the 145th!! Taking the chronological order as a clue, I have avoided file unit numbers that are distant from the divisions, regiment and battalion numbers I am looking for. Specifically the 32nd Div, 37th Div and 145th Inf. The only Eng Bn I have actively sought is the 114th. This is because of the history books. Originally, the 32nd Div Eng were the 107th Bn. Early in 1942, the 107th was sent to Ireland ahead of it's division to prepare for the rest of the troops arrival in Europe. Mid Ocean, orders were changed. Rather than re route the 107th, they were reassigned for the duration of the war to a division in Europe and the 114th Eng Bn was put together to replace the 107th for the 32nd Div in the Pacific. Whether James was assigned to the 114th is speculation on my part. I'm also speculating that James was picked up by the 32nd Div way back in 1941 when the Louisiana maneuvers occured although in Feb 42 he was still listed as either unassigned or a warrant officer. 

I've hit the main points here but there are lots of small details in between these dates. I have researched deep enough to know what Infantry, field artillery, signal co, ordance, med det co, etc that were assigned to both divisions, the changes made, and the locations. I have the order of battle for both divisions. I still have no actual records of my grandfather James or my great uncles Paul and Charles....not a roster, hospital list, mention in any operations report ..... nothing, nada, nil!!! It's maddening. 

I believe there are 5 Purple Hearts, 2 Silver Stars and at least 2 Presidential Commendations between these 3 brothers. If anyone has the tiniest bit of information, clues, or input based on what I have posted here, I would be so very grateful. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes looking at the info will see something new. I'm getting kind of stale, not sure which direction to go next. I do have a couple basic questions outside of the very complicated (and much appreciated access to...) records at national archives. I must say, I do love building a timeline of events for a person of honor.....

Questions:

If James is "unassigned" would he be listed with whatever regiment he was training with? I guess the question is, who's list does an unassigned guy land on? 

How can I find out if he was a warrant officer? 

Is an Engineer considered "special troops"? My military friends and family say that engineers (depending on what type) go out first to pave the way for the rest of the troops, may have access to different types of explosives, foreknowlege of tactical operations, etc....

If you've taken the time to read all this I thank you very, very much. Any and all input is valuable. 

 

Parents
  • 0

    Hello,

    Ref James Edward "Eddie" Wishart SN 20502516:

    How can I find out if he was a warrant officer?

    His grave marker (VA issued? on Find A Grave) shows "SGT US Army WWII," so it does not appear he was a W.O. or officer.

    Is an Engineer considered "special troops"?

    No, Special Troops in a US Army infantry division included: a signal company, an ordnance company, a quartermaster company, an MP platoon, the division band, etc. Not the engineer units.

    You mention that in "March1944 James appears again in hometown news. He & 5 other men saved the day when the camps gas dump caught fire. The story lists James as a Lieutenant, in New Guinea & received recognition for his actions here as well." 

    I believe that the reference above may refer to this incident vic Saidor, New Guinea:

    "During the night of 6 April 1944, a solitary Japanese G4M ‘Betty’ twin-engine bomber, flying at an extremely low altitude, raided the 32D Division’s position at Saidor. The bombs exploded in the assembly area of the 114TH Engineer Combat Battalion, killing nineteen Soldiers and wounding dozens more. [added 8 May ’13, TPB]

    Those KIA or DOW as a result of the bombing on 6 April included [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]:

    Pvt. Gerald D. Acton, from Cambria Co., PA and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn., was KIA in the attack. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pfc. Thomas H. Antle, from Middlesex Co., MA and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn., was WIA in the attack and DOW on 7 April. He was a member of the Mass. Nat. Guard when mobilized on 16 Jan. ’41. [added 9 Nov. ’14, TPB]

    Sgt. William H. Boynton, Jr., from Groton, MA and assigned to 114TH Engr., was WIA in the attack and DOW later that day. He was a veteran of the fighting at Buna-Sanananda. [added 9 Nov. ’14, TPB]

    T/5 Leon O. Lewis, from Los Angeles Co., CA, and assigned to Co. C, 114TH Engr. Bn. He was a veteran of the fighting at Buna-Sanananda. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. James P. McNaughton, from Dauphin Co., PA, and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. Derrell (Derell) W. Peacock, from Brevard Co., FL, and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. John E. Rabovsky, from Mahoning Co., OH and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn., was WIA in the attack and DOW on 7 April. [added 9 Nov. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. Charles A. Rymes, from York Co., ME, and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    1st Sgt. Henry H. Roberts, from Waltham, MA, and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. He was a S. Sgt. in Mass. Nat. Guard at Cambridge, MA when 114TH Engr. Regt. was mobilized on 16 Jan. ’41. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. Fred Winet, from Cuyahoga, OH and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. He entered active service with Ohio Nat. Guard at Cleveland, OH when they were mobilized 15 Oct. ’40. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Between 2 January and 6 April, there were at least 60 men killed, 135 men WIA, and 16 men MIA at Saidor. Most, but not all of them were from the 32D Infantry Division. [added 25 Oct. ’14, TPB]"

    Source:

    https://www.32nd-division.org/history/history-of-the-32d-red-arrow-infantry-division/world-war-ii-history-of-the-32d-red-arrow-infantry-division/history-of-the-division-during-wwii/new-guinea-campaign-saidor/

    If this is the case, it does suggest that James may have been assigned to the 114th Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB) at this time. I have been unable to find any kind of roster, either through 32nd ID or 114th ECB resources, that would confirm that. You may only be able to confirm (or discount) this by obtaining the HQ Co, Co A, Co B and Co C, 114th ECB, morning reports for the month of April 1944, which should show him listed once or more as a result of him being wounded by artillery shrapnel/fragments during that month and his return to duty in same month.

    Dan

Reply
  • 0

    Hello,

    Ref James Edward "Eddie" Wishart SN 20502516:

    How can I find out if he was a warrant officer?

    His grave marker (VA issued? on Find A Grave) shows "SGT US Army WWII," so it does not appear he was a W.O. or officer.

    Is an Engineer considered "special troops"?

    No, Special Troops in a US Army infantry division included: a signal company, an ordnance company, a quartermaster company, an MP platoon, the division band, etc. Not the engineer units.

    You mention that in "March1944 James appears again in hometown news. He & 5 other men saved the day when the camps gas dump caught fire. The story lists James as a Lieutenant, in New Guinea & received recognition for his actions here as well." 

    I believe that the reference above may refer to this incident vic Saidor, New Guinea:

    "During the night of 6 April 1944, a solitary Japanese G4M ‘Betty’ twin-engine bomber, flying at an extremely low altitude, raided the 32D Division’s position at Saidor. The bombs exploded in the assembly area of the 114TH Engineer Combat Battalion, killing nineteen Soldiers and wounding dozens more. [added 8 May ’13, TPB]

    Those KIA or DOW as a result of the bombing on 6 April included [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]:

    Pvt. Gerald D. Acton, from Cambria Co., PA and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn., was KIA in the attack. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pfc. Thomas H. Antle, from Middlesex Co., MA and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn., was WIA in the attack and DOW on 7 April. He was a member of the Mass. Nat. Guard when mobilized on 16 Jan. ’41. [added 9 Nov. ’14, TPB]

    Sgt. William H. Boynton, Jr., from Groton, MA and assigned to 114TH Engr., was WIA in the attack and DOW later that day. He was a veteran of the fighting at Buna-Sanananda. [added 9 Nov. ’14, TPB]

    T/5 Leon O. Lewis, from Los Angeles Co., CA, and assigned to Co. C, 114TH Engr. Bn. He was a veteran of the fighting at Buna-Sanananda. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. James P. McNaughton, from Dauphin Co., PA, and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. Derrell (Derell) W. Peacock, from Brevard Co., FL, and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. John E. Rabovsky, from Mahoning Co., OH and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn., was WIA in the attack and DOW on 7 April. [added 9 Nov. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. Charles A. Rymes, from York Co., ME, and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    1st Sgt. Henry H. Roberts, from Waltham, MA, and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. He was a S. Sgt. in Mass. Nat. Guard at Cambridge, MA when 114TH Engr. Regt. was mobilized on 16 Jan. ’41. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Pvt. Fred Winet, from Cuyahoga, OH and assigned to 114TH Engr. Bn. He entered active service with Ohio Nat. Guard at Cleveland, OH when they were mobilized 15 Oct. ’40. [added 16 Oct. ’14, TPB]

    Between 2 January and 6 April, there were at least 60 men killed, 135 men WIA, and 16 men MIA at Saidor. Most, but not all of them were from the 32D Infantry Division. [added 25 Oct. ’14, TPB]"

    Source:

    https://www.32nd-division.org/history/history-of-the-32d-red-arrow-infantry-division/world-war-ii-history-of-the-32d-red-arrow-infantry-division/history-of-the-division-during-wwii/new-guinea-campaign-saidor/

    If this is the case, it does suggest that James may have been assigned to the 114th Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB) at this time. I have been unable to find any kind of roster, either through 32nd ID or 114th ECB resources, that would confirm that. You may only be able to confirm (or discount) this by obtaining the HQ Co, Co A, Co B and Co C, 114th ECB, morning reports for the month of April 1944, which should show him listed once or more as a result of him being wounded by artillery shrapnel/fragments during that month and his return to duty in same month.

    Dan

Children
  • 0 in reply to DanielMcKone

    DAN THE MAN!!! Oh Thank You...Thank You....Thank You!!!! I'm so grateful for the knowledge base you have.....This is absolutely fabulous!! So many clues here to go on, my confidence level is much better now! Ironically, I did find (last night in morning reports) the very early records of James and his brothers at Camp Shelby in 1941. The Louisiana Manuevers are there, I'm carefully going through each page word by word!! Just in 400 pages James has moved around twice and Paul has been promoted so hopefully the records will continue to lead me through his military career. Then....YOU!! I think you have nailed the later part of his history. Thank you again so very much for sharing with me and taking your personal time to help the rest of us learn....I am so grateful to you. His daughter is really going to be over the moon when I send her this stuff!!! She has looked for years, I've only been digging deep for 2 months.

  • 0 in reply to DanielMcKone

    You wouldn't have an idea what LB #3 is??????? No date on back.

  • 0 in reply to DanielMcKone

    I honestly didn't even connect the two records....the littlest things. Thank you again. You are amazing.

  • 0 in reply to patdav007

    So far, Morning Reports have served me well albeit time consuming. I have added the fourth brother to the mix and just about tied him neatly in place from the beginning to the end of his military career. He was assigned to a Destroyer Repair Unit and actually spent most of his time in Hollandia New Guinea keeping those ships afloat and fighting, and providing materials and repairs to anything the ground forces might need to keep going. 

    James' timeline has tightened up and I have some new records on him as well, mainly early records.

    Oct1940  James appears on a roster, Co F 145th Inf, Warren Ohio

    Oct23  He arrives at Camp Shelby, MS

    Mar1941 Sargeant J Wishart has the measles and the entire camp is under quarantine for measles.

    June1941 Sgt J Wishart duty to AWOL 5:30AM......AWOL to duty 8:45AM (late for work!)

    June16-27  Maneuvers in Louisiana. This would have been his first contact with the 32nd Inf Div

    Aug11  duty to DS Casual Det 37D, left at 7:00PM

    Aug22 DS Casual Det to Hon Dishch.

    Sep1941  Maneuvers continue with war games, 32nd & 37th Div VS 34th & 38th Div

    Dec7/1941 Pearl Harbor Attack

    Feb1942 Enlistment at Camp Shelby (unassigned)

                   * Also Feb, Charles & Paul went to Indiantown Gap, PA. By May, they were activated and left                   PA for San Francisco. Departed SF and landed in New Zealand 1st, then Fiji.

    Mar1943  He appears again, Lt Wishart in New Guinea where he received a Pres. Commendation

    Apr1944  Shrapnel at Luzon

    Jul1944  Malaria, Scrub Typhus       

    It's a small time frame. James disappears between Feb 1942 and May 1942. It's only four months. I do know that the 32nd Div was activated & deployed April 1942; the 37th Div was activated & deployed May 1942. 

    Questions:

    The Louisiana maneuvers took place in 3 stages. Jun 16-27 included the 32nd & 37th Divisions.  July/August, the 34th & 38th Divisions were added to the mix. In September, the maneuvers concluded with war games, 32nd & 37th VS 34th & 38th. Now right off in the middle of being in the Louisiana swamp (Aug 11), James is "detached service" to a "casual co". The record states he left camp at 7:00PM, This is the 1st place that I can find that the 32nd Div and James cross paths. The record is written as such: dty to DS Casual Det 37D, left at 7:00PM. I'm reading it as if he is moved for detached service to a different division casual det company (still attached & unassigned to the 37th Div). Am I correct? Is it a reasonable assumption that the division he was likely "loaned to" is the 32nd? And furthermore what is a casual co? it's purpose? On the surface, a casual co looks like a holding tank of men who the higher ups aren't sure where they are going to use them.

    I don't believe James completed the maneuvers with the 37th Div in Louisiana, and I don't think he was at Indiantown Gap. His brothers literally left Pennsylvania for California and according to Uncle Charlie, James did not go with them.....maybe he completed them with the 32nd.

    I'm trying to pin down records of James being attached & assigned, attached & unassigned, or detached service directly with the 32nd Division. Continuing on, Aug 22 1941 James is "relieved fr DS Cas. Det. to Hon. Dishch."  The in Feb 1942, he enlists at Camp Shelby, still unassigned and no "attachment" mentioned in this record. I think I get it, the Hon Dishch effectively ends his DS w/ the Casual Co. It seems like a complicated way of transferring or moving men around if you ask me!

    Any thoughts about the path I'm on? Any ideas or clues beyond what we already know?

    Pat