Benny Myron Babcock
PFC Benny M. Babcock served with Easy Company, Second Battalion, 5th Marines.
He was killed in action near Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on 2 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 283733
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 16, 1920
at Glens Falls, NY
Parents
Benjamin Babcock (d. 1924)
Jennie (Connors) Babcock
later Mrs. Jennie Pittman
Education
Miami High School (1940)
Occupation & Employer
Enlisted after graduation
Service Life
Entered Service
July 26, 1940
at Savannah, GA
Home Of Record
20 West 19th Street
Hialeah, FL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Jennie Connors
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
E/2/5th Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
The “November Offensive” push to the west of Guadalcanal’s Matanikau River began badly for the 5th Marines. On 1 November, determined Japanese troops in well-fortified positions near Point Cruz slowed, then stopped 1/5th Marines with heavy casualties. A heavily-armed bivouac near the base of the Point offered the most resistance; plans for 2 November required the First and Third Battalions to hold the enemy in place, and distract them from the movements of Second Battalion.
At 0715, 2/5 moved out from their foxholes on a ridge south of Point Cruz and began advancing towards the beach, hoping to surround the bivouac and cut off lines of reinforcement or retreat. The Japanese met the attack with machine guns emplaced in coral bunkers; Marines responded with small arms and mortars. By late afternoon, 2/5 had a flank placed on the beach and the encirclement was complete. Reduction of the “Pocket” would wait until the next day.
The day’s action cost the lives of four 2/5 Marines. Among them was PFC Benny Babcock, a twenty-two year old from Hialeah, Florida. No specific information about his death was recorded in any official documentation.
Burial Information or Disposition
Privates First Class Babcock’s remains were “interred locally” – buried in the field – somewhere near Point Cruz. A sketch overlay was reportedly stored with his service record book and may provide important clues as to his resting place.
Babcock was declared non-recoverable in 1949.
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
American Legion Post 32 (Babcock-Sullivan), Hialeah, Florida
Namesake of Benny Babcock Park, Hialeah, Florida
Next Of Kin Address
Home address of mother and stepfather, Jennie and William Pittman.
Location Of Loss
Babcock was killed in action near Point Cruz, Guadalcanal.
