The Battle of Guadalcanal started August 7, 1942 beginning the first U.S. offensive of World War Two. Within 24 hours, more than 11,000 Marines had landed on Guadalcanal and began moving inland to secure Henderson Field. After months of bitter fighting, the Japanese suffered 25,000 casualties, leading to their evacuation of the island in February 1943. 6,300 Marines died or were wounded during the seven month long battle. New Jersey residents, such as Vincent Kramer, fought to secure victory during this first, crucial offensive. The Rutgers Oral History Archives has interviewed Rutgers Alum and New Jersey residents who took part in this early battle.
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Francis S. Gentile
- Information
- Military Branch & Unit: Marine Corps
- Marine Corps Other: VMTB 232
- Battle of Guadalcanal: Quote: "Well, [on] every island we were bombed by the Japanese. The first time had to be Guadalcanal"
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Edward S. Hoe III
- Information
- Military Branch & Unit: Army
- US Army Division: 43rd Infantry
- US Army Regiment: 103rd Infantry
- US Army Battalion: 1st Battalion
- US Army Company: C Company
- Battle of Guadalcanal: Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Battle of Guadalcanal: Quote: "On the way over we had to stop at Guadalcanal. They needed some replacements. One of our ships had been sunk and there was a whole team that was going to Guadalcanal ... I think they only lost one man, he drowned, but the whole team ... they lost all their equipment and everything. So, they called us..."
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Vincent Kramer
- Information
- Military Branch & Unit: Marine Corps
- Marine Corps Other: CIA
- Battle of Guadalcanal: Highest Rank: Major
- Battle of Guadalcanal: Quote: "[With Malaria] You ran a fever of 106 degrees. And you still had to try to stay, and stay with your position. You had dengue fever, which is even worse than malaria. Men that were scratched with coral became infected with a rundown condition. It was a war of attrition, mostly, for the Marines"
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Frederick Wesche III
- Information
- Military Branch & Unit: Army Air Forces
- Battle of Guadalcanal: Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Battle of Guadalcanal: Quote: "We did a lot of our bombing... at night for the very reason that I mentioned, the Japanese never did develop an efficient night fighter."
