2nd LT. Lonnie D. McCurry's 6 months of training through the Reserve Officers Corps (ROC) in Quantico, VA was cut short after Pearl Harbor. He entered Arty school in Quantico for a couple of months and then transferred to the West Coast to join 2nd Marine Division, which was split to form 3rd Marine Division. While 2nd went to Guadalcanal, the LT, a battery commander for 105MM Howitzer battery (Mike Battery, 4th Bn. 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division) went to New Zealand for further training.
From this training, he went to Bougainville, a key battleground in the Soloman Islands campaign for his first combat action.
In her report, "The Battle of Bougainville" by JO1 Lorraine Ramsdell, USNR, the reason for Bougainville's importance is explained.
The following paragraphs are copied from her report. Please click on the above title for full report.
The objective of the Solomon Islands campaign was to cut off Japan's major forward air and naval base at Rabaul, on the island of New Britain. Rabaul was the hub of Japanese air power in the south Pacific--a stopping point for planes coming from New Guineain the southwest and Truk, the home of the Japanese Combined Fleet, in the south central Pacific. Bougainville was key to neutralizing Rabaul.
The actual landing by the 3rd Marine Division at Empress Augusta Bay took place at dawn Nov. 1. The bay, located at some distance from the heavily defended airfields at either end of the island, had what appeared to be the most suitable beaches for a landing. The plan was to establish a beachhead, then bring in supplies and equipment to build a landing strip for fighters. Invasion forces consisted of 14,321 troops (including the 1st Marine Dog Platoon with their 24 Dobermans and German shepherds) in 12 transports, preceded by a minesweeper group. Destroyer Squadron 45, four minelayers and two salvage tugs provided further support.
Join us again as we continue to trace this historical battle as well as others in the weeks to come as a part of the "Blood Is Thicker Than Water" series.
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