![]() ![]() The 1st Marines were to assault the beaches on the left, which were designated White 1 and White 2, and push through the enemy toward the northwestern peninsula of the island. On that day, the 1st Marine Division planned to land on the western beaches of Peleliu three regiments abreast. D-Dayĭ-Day on Peleliu was set for 15 September 1944. Mueller, USA, commanded the 81st Infantry Division. Hanneken and 11th Marines commander Col William H. Harris, 7th Marines commander Col Herman H. “Chesty” Puller, 5th Marines commander Col Harold D. Under his command were 1st Marines commander Col Lewis B. Rupertus, USMC, commanded the 1st Marine Division. Geiger, USMC, commanded the III Amphibious Corps, comprised of ground troops from the 1st Marine Division (Peleliu) and the Army’s 81st Infantry Division (Angaur). Wilkinson, USN, commanded the Third Amphibious Force. commanders of the campaign were assigned as follows: Peleliu would be the primary target of the operation, which was code-named Stalemate II. Nimitz, USN, issued the first planning orders for the assault on the Palau Islands of Peleliu and Angaur. On, the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet/Pacific Ocean Areas, Admiral Chester W. While it is still debated whether the capture of the Palaus was necessary to protect Gen MacArthur’s flank, the battle of Peleliu was one of the toughest to be fought during the entire Pacific war. ![]() The Palau Islands were stepping stones in Army General Douglas MacArthur’s plan to invade the Philippines. ![]() The fall of Japan’s first line of defense in New Guinea, the Marshalls and the Marianas allowed the Allies to move on to strongholds in Japan’s second defensive line. If you or someone you know has any photographs, documents, or stories about the 449 th Bomb Group please contact the 449 th Bomb Group Association by visiting their website at or send an email to. Thank you, Donald Beck, for your service! Don’s signature added to several signatures from fellow 449 th Bomb Group veterans, and more will be added as the 449 th Bomb Group Association continues its tour of the country, meeting veterans like Don and collecting their shared history along the way. The prints were of “Maximum Effort,” an original oil painting by James Dietz, which depicts a 15 th Air Force bomb group at the beginning of Operation Point Blank in February 1944. Lastly, the group presented Don with three lithographic prints to sign. ![]() Don was even kind enough to donate a few items to the group for their archives! Three representatives from the group interviewed and recorded Don’s story, which was supplemented by an impressive collection of Don’s documents, photographs, and other memorabilia (see below). Both Don and his wife, Helene, have lived at Luther Acres for 21 years.Įarlier this month, Don sat down with members of the 449 th Bomb Group Association, a national group dedicated to preserving the history and stories of 449 th Bomb Group veterans. After the war, Don remained in the Air Force Reserves for another 20 years, and continued to serve his community as a high school chemistry and physics teacher in both Downingtown and Quarryville. A Luther Acres resident who served in World War II holds many memories of his days as a B-24 pilot, and was honored to share them recently with an organization looking to document his stories for future generations.ĭonald “Don” Beck was a B-24 pilot in the United States Fifteenth Air Force during World War II as part of the 449 th Bomb Group, otherwise known as the “Flying Horsemen.” In his time, he flew 23 missions over Europe, and earned an Air Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, and six Battle Stars for his efforts. ![]()
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