Albert Anthony Grdanc

During the battle of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, the 5th Marines manned positions in Defense Sector 5 along the southwestern edge of the Lunga Perimeter. Although the area was relatively quiet, the regiment sent daily patrols to watch for Japanese activity along a footpath called the “East-West Trail.” On 25 October 1942, three platoons from the Second Battalion set out for a routine patrol along the trail towards “Grassy Knoll” – Mount Austen, the highest point on Guadalcanal. One of these platoons, from Easy Company, included PFC Albert Grdanc.

Around 0950 hours, the sound of “a good deal of automatic weapons fire” erupted near the base of Grassy Knoll. The shooting continued for nearly two hours before Major Lew Walt decided to recall his patrols – “to fight their way back in” if necessary A four-man group managed to reach one platoon but were fired on by a much larger Japanese force and quickly returned. They reported 30 enemy troops well positioned on a ridge about 500-600 yards from the trail.

Half of the Easy Company patrol returned at 1220, reporting an ambush by Japanese troops. PFC Grdanc was killed in the firefight, and two men, including Private Anthony F. Gallo, were missing. The rest of the patrol reached friendly lines at 1407, confirming Grdanc’s death and Gallo’s missing status.