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| Sgt. Donald Wolf fought at the Battle of Edson's Ridge and was awarded the Navy Star in a later Guadalcanal engagement. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70931192/donald-william-wolf https://taskandpurpose.com/75-years-battle-guadalcanal-1st-marine-raiders-legacy-endures |
Donald William Wolf never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on February 7, 1919 in Hart, Michigan. His parents John and Julie were also both born in Michigan. His father worked as a drayman and later as a store owner. Donald had an older brother and sister and a younger brother. He excelled in football and track during his four years of high school.
He volunteered for the US Marines on December 5, 1939. He rose to the rank of sergeant in Company E, 1st Marine Raider Battalion. The 1st MRB captured Tulagi during the opening days of the Guadalcanal campaign. The Raiders moved to Guadalcanal to bolster the defense of Henderson Field.
During the night of September 13-14, the 1st MRB played an important role in defeating a major effort of the Japanese to break through and recapture the airfield. They were low on ammunition but still managed to repel the Japanese through the night. The Japanese lost three-fourths of their officers and more than a thousand killed and wounded. The Marines stopped one of the best chances the Japanese had to turn the Guadalcanal campaign in their favor.
Between October 6 and October 9 the Marines crossed the Matanikau River to attack newly landed Japanese forces. Sgt. Wolf was killed on October 9, 1942.
He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. His citation reads as follows:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Donald William Wolf (278342), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, FIRST Marine Raider Battalion in action against enemy Japanese forces near the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 8 - 9 October 8 - 9, 1942.
When his battalion moved into a defensive position along the Matanikau River, Sergeant Wolf and other members of his platoon bore the brunt of the heavy enemy assault against their hastily prepared positions. Approximately 150 Japanese, stealing through the dense jungle growth under cover of smoke, fiercely attacked the small group of Marines with automatic weapons, hand grenades, and bayonets. Fighting desperately in hand-to-hand combat against the overwhelming hostile forces, Sergeant Wolf refused to be dislodged from his position and after a tremendous toll of the enemy, heroically died at his post.
His indomitable fighting spirit and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Sergeant Wolf gallantly gave his life for his country.
His grave is at Hart Cemetery in Hart, Michigan
DESMOND DOSS
Born on the same day as Donald Wolf was another American hero, Donald Doss. Doss was born in Virginia and was raised a devote Seventh-Day Adventist.
Although eligible for a deferment because of his shipyard job, Doss joined the US Army. He refused to carry a gun so he was trained to be a medic with the 77th Infantry Division. Doss earn a Bronze Star in both Guam and the Philippines for rescuing wounded soldiers under fire. During the Battle of Okinawa, Doss saved as many as 100 men while being wounded four different times. He is the only soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor who was also a conscientious objector.
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| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Doss |
Last year on this date I profiled Robert Araujo, 14th Armored Division and his brother Leonard. You can read about the Araujo brothers here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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