PFC John "Jack" E. Pease, Special Weapons Group, 2d Defense Battalion, 2d Marine Division.
By Susan Pease, daughter of Jack
My father's special Weapons Group was detached from the 2d Defense Battalion and sent in with the assault waves. He was transported on the USS Biddle and landed on Red 2 during the morning of D+1 and made his way to the airstrip. His unit set up their machine guns to protect the airstrip. Even though his ExO, Captain Robert W. Rose, is shown on the casualty list as killed in action, there is no mention anywhere in any of the books. There are no details surrounding Rose's death or even an acknowledgement that he existed even though he is one of seven captains killed. Although other defense battalions have received credit during assaults and my father has his Presidential Unit Citation, I can find no reference to any combat support role played by detached units of the 2d Def. Battalion. I think this unit deserves to be recognized in history.
Susan Pease is doing more research on her father and his unit.
She will hopefully make this
available when it is completed to Tarawa on the Web.
Any
information on this unit or on Capt. Rose please forward to the editor.
Email - Jonathan.E.Stevens@wheaton.edu
copyright 2000 Wheaton, Illinois
Created 17 November 2000 - Updated 7 September 2003
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