PFC Vernal McMurtrey of Company B, 88th Glider Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division was killed on 23 February 1945 near the Lechería Hills, Columba, Laguna Province, Philippines.
The 1st Battalion, 188th Glider Infantry Regiment was “part of a special task force” providing a diversion and security while the 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne went on their mission to liberate the 2,147 American and Allied prisoners held at the Japanese Los Baños Internment Camp.
The 188th Glider Infantry Regiment of Colonel Robert Soule had perhaps the most daunting task; trying to stave off a potential counterattack from the main highway. Bivouacked across the San Juan River were some 8,000-10,000 Japanese troops of the 8th "Tiger" Division, commanded by Lt. Gen. Shizuo Yokoyama.
Early the morning of the 23rd, the diversionary force of the 188th Glider Infantry Regiment and Company C of the 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion, together with elements of the 472nd and 675th Field Artillery Battalions under Soule, rolled out into Highway 1 and attacked across the San Juan River. They ran into Japanese opposition near the Lechería Hills where casualties were taken, but by mid-morning they had cleared the area and were marching towards Los Baños and cutting off the road between the Japanese 8th Tiger Division and Los Baños. The 188th performed an essential mission by blocking any potential Japanese reinforcements from hindering the rescue and protecting the prisoners evacuation. All 2,147 prisoners were rescued.
Two 188th Glider Infantry Regiment soldiers from Company B, John T. Doiron and Vernal Ray McMurtrey, were killed at the Lecheria Hills engagement.
(Obit courtesy Steve S)
The 1st Battalion, 188th Glider Infantry Regiment was “part of a special task force” providing a diversion and security while the 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne went on their mission to liberate the 2,147 American and Allied prisoners held at the Japanese Los Baños Internment Camp.
The 188th Glider Infantry Regiment of Colonel Robert Soule had perhaps the most daunting task; trying to stave off a potential counterattack from the main highway. Bivouacked across the San Juan River were some 8,000-10,000 Japanese troops of the 8th "Tiger" Division, commanded by Lt. Gen. Shizuo Yokoyama.
Early the morning of the 23rd, the diversionary force of the 188th Glider Infantry Regiment and Company C of the 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion, together with elements of the 472nd and 675th Field Artillery Battalions under Soule, rolled out into Highway 1 and attacked across the San Juan River. They ran into Japanese opposition near the Lechería Hills where casualties were taken, but by mid-morning they had cleared the area and were marching towards Los Baños and cutting off the road between the Japanese 8th Tiger Division and Los Baños. The 188th performed an essential mission by blocking any potential Japanese reinforcements from hindering the rescue and protecting the prisoners evacuation. All 2,147 prisoners were rescued.
Two 188th Glider Infantry Regiment soldiers from Company B, John T. Doiron and Vernal Ray McMurtrey, were killed at the Lecheria Hills engagement.
(Obit courtesy Steve S)
PFC Vernal McMurtrey of Company B, 88th Glider Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division was killed on 23 February 1945 near the Lechería Hills, Columba, Laguna Province, Philippines.
The 1st Battalion, 188th Glider Infantry Regiment was “part of a special task force” providing a diversion and security while the 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne went on their mission to liberate the 2,147 American and Allied prisoners held at the Japanese Los Baños Internment Camp.
The 188th Glider Infantry Regiment of Colonel Robert Soule had perhaps the most daunting task; trying to stave off a potential counterattack from the main highway. Bivouacked across the San Juan River were some 8,000-10,000 Japanese troops of the 8th "Tiger" Division, commanded by Lt. Gen. Shizuo Yokoyama.
Early the morning of the 23rd, the diversionary force of the 188th Glider Infantry Regiment and Company C of the 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion, together with elements of the 472nd and 675th Field Artillery Battalions under Soule, rolled out into Highway 1 and attacked across the San Juan River. They ran into Japanese opposition near the Lechería Hills where casualties were taken, but by mid-morning they had cleared the area and were marching towards Los Baños and cutting off the road between the Japanese 8th Tiger Division and Los Baños. The 188th performed an essential mission by blocking any potential Japanese reinforcements from hindering the rescue and protecting the prisoners evacuation. All 2,147 prisoners were rescued.
Two 188th Glider Infantry Regiment soldiers from Company B, John T. Doiron and Vernal Ray McMurtrey, were killed at the Lecheria Hills engagement.
(Obit courtesy Steve S)
The 1st Battalion, 188th Glider Infantry Regiment was “part of a special task force” providing a diversion and security while the 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne went on their mission to liberate the 2,147 American and Allied prisoners held at the Japanese Los Baños Internment Camp.
The 188th Glider Infantry Regiment of Colonel Robert Soule had perhaps the most daunting task; trying to stave off a potential counterattack from the main highway. Bivouacked across the San Juan River were some 8,000-10,000 Japanese troops of the 8th "Tiger" Division, commanded by Lt. Gen. Shizuo Yokoyama.
Early the morning of the 23rd, the diversionary force of the 188th Glider Infantry Regiment and Company C of the 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion, together with elements of the 472nd and 675th Field Artillery Battalions under Soule, rolled out into Highway 1 and attacked across the San Juan River. They ran into Japanese opposition near the Lechería Hills where casualties were taken, but by mid-morning they had cleared the area and were marching towards Los Baños and cutting off the road between the Japanese 8th Tiger Division and Los Baños. The 188th performed an essential mission by blocking any potential Japanese reinforcements from hindering the rescue and protecting the prisoners evacuation. All 2,147 prisoners were rescued.
Two 188th Glider Infantry Regiment soldiers from Company B, John T. Doiron and Vernal Ray McMurtrey, were killed at the Lecheria Hills engagement.
(Obit courtesy Steve S)
Inscription
Idaho, PFC 188 Glider Inf 11 Abn Div, World War II, PH
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