VMD-154 Presidential Unit Citation

The Secretary of the Navy

W A S H I N G T O N

4 February 1943

Cited in the Name of

The President of the United States

THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION, REINFORCED


Under command of

Major General Alexander A. Vandergrift, U.S.M.C.


CITATION:

"The officers and enlisted men of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, on August 7 to 9, 1942, demonstrated outstanding gallantry and determination in successfully executing forced landing assaults against a number of strongly defended Japanese positions on Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, Florida and Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, completely routing all the enemy forces and seizing a most valuable base and airfield within the enemy zone of operations in the South Pacific Ocean. From the above period until 9 December, 1942, this Reinforced Division not only held their important strategic positions despite determined and repeated Japanese naval, air and land attacks, but by a series of offensive operations against strong enemy resistance drove the Japanese from the proximity of the airfield and inflicted great losses on them by land and air attacks. The courage and determination displayed in these operations were of an inspiring order."



Frank Knox

Secretary of the Navy.



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Subject: Aviation units covered by Presidential Unit Citation of First Marine Division, Reinforced.

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 142
Marine Fighting Squadron 212
Marine Fighting Squadron 223
Marine Fighting Squadron 224
Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 231
Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 232

4. The following Marine Corps aviation units had personnel on detached duty on Guadalcanal during the period covered:

Headquarters Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 11
Headquarters Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 25
Service Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 25
Marine Utility Squadron 152
Marine Photographic Squadron 154
Marine Observation Squadron 251
Marine Utility Squadron 253

5. The following Army Air Force units had personnel on detached duty at Guadalcanal during the period covered:

5th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
11th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
13th Troop Carrier Squadron
67th Fighter Squadron (SE)
68th Fighter Squadron (SE)
70th Bombardment Squadron (Medium)
339th Fighter Squadron (TE)

6. The information on Navy units involved will be forwarded to you as soon as it is furnished by Editorial Research Unit DCNO (Air).

WARREN H. GOODMAN
Captain, U.S.M.C.R.




Attached to and serving with VMD-154, FMAW, when that organization was a part of the Presidential Unit Citation in accordance with Navy Department General Order No. 222.

J. R. Christensen
Lt. Col., USMC

Service Record Book
William Earl Bauer




Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions:
13 Nov 42 to 9 Dec 42 participated in the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, B.S.I.

Honorable Discharge from the
United States Marine Corps
Emil Fredrick Naschinski