Claude Gay Childers
Private Claude G. Childers served with Able Company, First Battalion, 1st Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 14 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 320888
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 13, 1923
at Horseneck, VA
Parents
Sherman Cleveland Childers
Bessie (Cornell) Childers
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
September 9, 1941
at Charleston, WV
Home Of Record
Horseneck, WV
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Sherman Childers
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
A/1/1st Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On the morning of 14 September 1942, Able and Charlie Companies of the First Battalion, 1st Marines, mounted a combat patrol heading south along the Lunga River. Their objective was to find and intercept any Japanese troops withdrawing from the unsuccessful assault on Edson’s Ridge.
At about 1100 hours, the patrol ran into an enemy force about the size of a reinforced company. Japanese machine gunners kept the Marines in check for an hour, at which point the patrol withdrew on orders from Division HQ. Able Company took the worst of the fire. “I think the time I was most scared was on the Lunga River patrol,” remarked Private William Sparks. “It was an ambush. Childers was killed, I was shot in the hand, and Humphries was hit in the foot and lost a big toe.”
Private Claude Childers was reportedly buried in the field at Guadalcanal; the location was marked on a map overlay. Any subsequent searches, failed to find any trace of his remains.
Burial Information or Disposition
“Buried 14 September 1942 at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.”
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Sherman Childers.
Location Of Loss
Private Childers was killed in action near the Lunga River, Guadalcanal.
Any other information on Claude G. Childers? Anything at all? thanks…