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| PFC Herman Arnold earned the Navy Cross during the Battle of Edson's Ridge on Guadalcanal. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81504394/herman-franklin-arnold https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/npswapa/extcontent/usmc/pcn-190-003117-00/sec3a.htm |
Herman Franklin Arnold never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on March 6, 1920 in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents Richard and Mary were also both born in Maryland. His father worked as a launch boat engineer and later as a policeman. Herman had two younger brothers. By 1940 Harold was still living at home. He had completed one year of high school and worked as a movie theater usher.
He enlisted in the US Marines on August 29, 1941. He became a private first class in the HQ Company of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, where he was a radio operator. The 1st MRB was created in February 1942, patterned after the British Commando units. The original marines in the unit were all handpicked from volunteers.
The 1st MRB first saw action when it helped to take Tulagi on August 7, 1942. Next it was assigned to protect Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
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 in what became known as the Battle of Edson's Ridge. They were low on ammunition but still managed to repel the Japanese throughout 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. PFC Arnold played an important role in this battle which was recognized by a posthumously awarded Navy Cross.
PFC Arnold's Navy Cross citation reads as follows:
After he had become separated from his own platoon and was unable to reestablish contact in the darkness, Private First Class Arnold with resolute determination and courageous initiative, made his way to the front lines. There, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, he entered into the thick of the fight and was killed in action.
He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country.
Thank you PFC Arnold for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Herman.
Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Flying Cross hero and P-51 fighter ace Richard Deakins. You can read about Richard 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.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
His grave is at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Brooklyn Park, Maryland.
Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Flying Cross hero and P-51 fighter ace Richard Deakins. You can read about Richard 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
It is Cedar Hill Cemetery
ReplyDeleteThanks, I fixed the spelling. Don Milne
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