William Paul Duckworth
PFC William P. “Bill” Duckworth served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 5th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 26 September 1942. on [date].
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 344037
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 13, 1918
Puxico, MO
Parents
David Alexander “DA” Duckworth
Myrtle May (Tate) Duckworth
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Filling station attendant
Service Life
Entered Service
January 8, 1942
at Louisville, KY
Home Of Record
Crossville, IL
Next Of Kin*
Father, Mr. D. A. Duckworth
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
F/2/5th Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
* William Duckworth married Glennie Viola Hall in April 1938. Their son, Ramon, died in 1944.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC William Duckworth participated in the campaigns for the Solomon Islands as a member of F/2/5th Marines. By mid-September 1942, he was a veteran of landings on Tulagi, combat patrols on Guadalcanal, and the battle for Edson’s Ridge.
On September 25, Duckworth’s battalion was ordered to saddle up and head into the boondocks to support a friendly combat patrol. They were placed under the temporary command of LtCol. Lewis “Chesty” Puller, and patrolled west towards the Matanikau River. The next morning, Easy Company led the way north towards the river’s mouth, where they would attempt to cross.
The Japanese stayed quiet until the first Americans crossed a sandbar – and then opened fire with mortars and machine guns. Puller deployed 2/5 along the eastern bank and repeatedly tried to force a crossing – always with the same bloody result. The action would become known as the Second Battle of the Matanikau. Bill Duckworth was one of three Fox Company Marines killed in action on 26 September 1942.
Burial Information or Disposition
During a lull in the battle, Dombroski’s remains were recovered and buried “about 300 yards east of the Matanikau River on the Beach Trail, between a coconut grove and a small trail.” He was the third man interred there, beside fellow Fox Company Marine Private Charles B. Dombroski and PFC Kenneth J. Whelan (Easy Company).
Unfortunately, sustained heavy fighting in the vicinity probably destroyed any markers denoting the exact location. Whelan, Dombroski, and Duckworth were never recovered or identified.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. D. A. Duckworth.
Location Of Loss
Approximate burial site, 300 yards east of Matanikau River.
“Beach Trail” is now Mendana Avenue / Kukum Highway
This was my grandmother’s brother. She never got over the loss of Bill. I dont think this date of birth is correct, however.
Laura, you’re quite right – I sent you an email regarding this correction. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.