World War II Honoree

William Ritchie Aumock

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Detroit, Michigan

Honored By

William S. Stegall

Relationship

Fellow Marine

ASSIGNED WITH THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION AT NEW RIVER MARINE CAMP, NORTH CAROLINA 1942. WENT INTO ACTION FOR AMERICA'S FIRST LAND OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE JAPANESE AT TULAGI AND GUADALCANAL ON AUGUST 7, 1942. PARTICIPATED IN 'BLOODY RIDGE' BATTLE ON THE CANAL. AFTER 6 MONTHS REST AND REFITTING IN AUSTRALIA, HIS BATTALION STAGED UPON GOODENOUGH ISLAND FOR THE CAPE GLOUCESTER, NEW BRITAIN INVASION. NEW BRITAIN WAS ASSAULTED THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS 1943. REINFORCED FROM FINSCHHAFEN, NEW GUINEA, PREPARED FOR THE ASSAULT ON THE PALAU ISLANDS IN THE WESTERN CAROLINAS GROUP. THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION INVADED PELELIU (THE SOUTHERN MOST ISLAND OF THE PALAU ISLANDS) ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1944. HIS A COMPANY, 1ST MARINE COMBAT ENGINEERS, PARTICIPATED IN THE FIGHT FOR THE JAPANESE AIRSTRIP NEAR UMURBROGOL MOUNTAIN LATER REFERRED TO AS 'BLOODY NOSE RIDGE'. AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (WITH 2ND AWARD), THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND RIBBON WITH 5 BATTLE STARS (SILVER STAR ATTACHMENT), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. SERVICE NUMBER 313270.