SOMMERKAMP, Dudley J, Cpl, 653

Enlisted USMC: 18 Jul 1941 Savannah, Georgia

Killed in Action: 01 Jan 1944 (Bougainville, British Solomon Islands)

Interred: Unknown, remains not recovered.

Headquarters, Southern Recruiting Division, New Orleans, LA

Jul 1941 Pvt, HQ, SRD, New Orleans, LA “18Jul41; Acc & enl at DHS Savannah, Ga.., tr to MB, Parris Island, SC”

4th Recruit Battalion, Recruit Depot, MB, Parris Island, SC

Jul 1941 Pvt, 4thRecBn, RD, MB, Parris Island, SC “18Jul41; Jdenl fr DHS, Savannah, Ga.”

Aug 1941 Pvt, 4thRecBn, RD, MB, Parris Island, SC “RI.”

Oct 1941 Pvt, 4thRecBn, RD, MB, Parris Island, SC “14, to RadCo, PostSigBn, Post”

Radio Company, Post Signal Battalion, Marine Barracks, Quantico VA

Oct 1941 Pvt, RadCo, Post SigBn, MB, Quantico, VA”15, Jdfr 4thRecBn, RD, MB, Parris Island, S.C.; 15-31, stud Rad School”

Jan 1942 Pvt, RadCo, Post SigBn, MB, Quantico, VA “1, to HqCo, PostSigBn, MB, Quantico, Va.”

Apr 1942 Pvt, Co B, The Training Center, MB, Quantico, VA “1, jdfr HqCo, PostSigBn, Post; 13-30, under instn MVeh Operators Course.”

1st Marine Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Division, FMF, In the Field

Jul 1942 Pvt, Hq Co, 1st ParaBn, 1st MarDiv, FMF, In the Field

Aug 1942 Pvt, Hq Co, 1st ParaBn, 1st MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Gavutu-Tanambogo, Solomon Islands)

Sep 1942 Pvt, Hq Co, 1st ParaBn, 1st MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands)

Oct 1942 PFC, Hq Co, 1st ParaBn, 1st MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Camp Kiser, Tontouta, New Caledonia)”21, Pro.”

1st Marine Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment, 1st MAC, FMF, In the Field

Jan 1943 PFC, Hq Co, 1stParaBn, 1stMarParReg, 1stMAC, FMF, In the Field “ 1, to Co C, 1st ParaBn”

Jan 1943 PFC, C Co, 1stParaBn, 1stMarParReg, 1stMAC, FMF, In the Field “ 1, jdfr HqCo, 1stParaBn, Post”

Apr 1943 PFC, C Co, 1stParaBn, 1stMarParReg, 1stMAC, FMF, In the Field “Para”

Jul 1943 Cpl, C Co, 1stParaBn, 1stMarParReg, 1stMAC, FMF, In the Field “Para; 3, Pro(OW)”

Aug 1943 Cpl, C Co, 1st ParaBn, 1stMarParReg, 1stMAC, FMF, In the Field “Para”

Sep 1943 Cpl, C Co, 1st ParaBn, 1stMarParReg, 1stMAC, FMF, In the Field “Para”

Nov 1943 Cpl, C Co, 1st ParaBn, 1stMarParReg, 1stMAC, FMF, In the Field “Para”

Jan 1944 Cpl, C Co, 1st ParaBn, ”Para; 1, KIA at 1430, GSW stomach; remains not recovered for interment. Killed in the vicinity of coordinates 135.40-210-00; IMAC Hasty Terrain Map, sheet #180, 2nd Edition-1943””

Based on this service record, I believe that we can confidently state that he rates the following awards for WWII:

Bronze Star Medal

Purple Heart Medal

Combat Action Ribbon

Navy Presidential Unit Citation

American Defense Service Medal

American Campaign Medal

Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal-2 stars

World War II Victory Medal

Sommerkamp, Dudley J, Cpl