WW2 Fallen - Navy Cross hero Roland Kachinsky + famous psychologist

Platoon Sergeant Roland Kachinsky served with the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion at the Battle of Gavutu.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94412564/roland-f-kachinsky
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tulagi_and_Gavutu–Tanambogo 

Roland F. Kachinsky never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on October 21, 1919 in Illinois. His parents Mike and Anna were both born in Lithuanian speaking Russia. His father worked as a dairy farmer. Roland was an only child.

He volunteered for the US Marines in February 1937. He served as a drummer for about a year and later saw service at Pearl Harbor and on the USS Hampton. When the war started he was stationed in San Diego. Roland reached the rank of platoon sergeant in Company A, 1st Marine Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

On August 7, 1942 the 1st MPB was part of amphibious assault on Gavutu and Tanambogo in support of the invasion of Guadalcanal. The Marines needed to eliminate the Japanese seaplane, ship refueling, and communications base the Japanese had set up here. While the landing at Guadalcanal went unopposed, the Japanese on Gavutu put up stiff resistance. 

The 1st MPB landed its nearly 400 men at noon. The Japanese manning their machine-guns were ready and inflicted at least 10 percent casualties during the initial landing. Sgt. Kachinsky was one of the wounded, but rather than leave his men, he dressed his own wound and stayed in charge of his platoon. His actions on this day helped win the battle, though it resulted in his death. 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 Roland F. Kachinsky (256111), Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the FIRST Parachute Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese forces at Gavutu, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. 

When the right flank of Company A was subjected to withering fire from a hostile machine gun, Platoon Sergeant Kachinski, on his own courageous initiative, launched a lone attack against the enemy. Effectively throwing grenades and engaging in perilous hand-to-hand combat, he fought with such tenacious determination and fearless aggressiveness that he was able to destroy the gun position before receiving fatal wounds. 

Platoon Sergeant Kachinsky's relentless fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

His grave is at Lithuania National Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.

Thank you Sgt. Kachinsky for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Roland.

JOHN HOLLAND
John Holland was born on the exact same day as Roland Kachinsky. Holland was born in Nebraska where his father was a advertising executive. Holland went to the University of Omaha and got a degree in psychology in 1942.

Holland served in the army during the war where he was put to work as a test administrator until 1946.

http://careerkey.blogspot.com/2008/12/dr-john-l-holland-1919-2008.html

After the war he got a PhD. from the University of Minnesota. He became well known in the psychology field for his work on personality and career choice. Those who work with helping people decide on a career are familiar with the Holland Codes that John Holland invented.

Holland died in 2008.

Silver Star hero and tank commander Wiliam John was born exactly one year earlier than Roland Kachinsky. You can read about William 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.

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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org