Marine Raider pics

Dear Sgt. Grit,

A couple of pictures from my father and the info about them.

Regards,
Kevin F Hunt
2549181

First picture - Members of D Company, 1st Raiders.  This picture appeared in two papers; the first is the “The Marine Sentry, Quantico, VA, Friday, October 1, 1943” on page 9 with the following caption:

LEATHERNECKS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE – Among the first photographs of Marine Raiders who occupied Enogai Inlet, New Georgia, is this scene around a jungle campfire. Note the crude shelter with camouflaged covering, Picture, left to right are Robert A. Deforges, Ware, Mass; Ernest Carson, St. Paul, Minn; Edward M. Voytovich, Greensburg, PA; Wilfred A. Hunt, Brooklyn NY; John J. Koehler, Rockville Center, NY; Fred J Borseso, Jersey City, NJ; George F. Lemester, Syracuse, NY; and Arthur J Schmitz, Clarksburg, W. VA (official U.S. Marine Corps Photo.)

Second, it appeared in the “Brooklyn Eagle, Monday, Sept. 27, 1943” with the following caption: CHOW TIME IN THE SOLOMONS – Any resemblance to a picnic is purely coincidental. The Marines at this jungle campfire on New Georgia Island were returning to there base after raiding a Jap post when the picture was taken. Fourth from the left is Wilfred A. Hunt of 451 Court St. and next to him is John J. Koehler of Rockville Centre. Hunt won the Navy Cross for rushing an enemy machine-gun position on Tulagi and wiping it out with hand grenades, Aug 7.

The two Marines directly behind the campfire are Wilfred A. Hunt and John J. Koehler. My father had written “Larson” with an arrow pointing to the Marine second from the left I assume that was his name instead of Carson.  As you can see there are 9 Marines in the picture but only 8 names. I believe the Marine in the back on the left is the one without a name. The only ones I know for sure are my father and John Koehler whom I have met.
 
Second picture: This picture actually predates the raiders. My father was with 1/5 before the war and this is dated Sept 1941. He was in “C” Company then. Notice the WW1 helmets and the Springfield rifles.

Posted by Sgt Grit Staff