Barney Stanley Mikus
PFC Barney S. Mikus served with Charlie Company, First Battalion, 7th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 27 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 354208
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 16, 1916
at New York Mills, NY
as Bronislaw Mikus
Parents
John Mikus
Theresa (Gantris) Mikus
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Textile mill doffer
A. D. Juilliard & Co
Service Life
Entered Service
January 21, 1942
at Syracuse, NY
Home Of Record
50 Greenman Avenue
New York Mills, NY
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. John Mikus
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
C/1/7th Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 27 September 1942, a combined American force consisting of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, the Second Battalion, 5th Marines, and Company C, 7th Marines, renewed their attempts to cross Guadalcanal’s Matanikau River. An assault across the river mouth on the previous day had been bloodily repulsed, and the Marines now attempted a three-prong attack aimed at the mouth, a small bridge upstream, and an amphibious assault landing behind Japanese lines.
Charlie Company of the 7th Marines was attached to the Raiders for the attack across “One Log Bridge” or “Nippon Bridge” – barely more than a fallen tree across the river. The Japanese were well-prepared here, too, and sent out a hail of rifle and machine gun fire that kept the Marines pinned to the east bank of the Matanikau. Casualties mounted quickly; Charlie Company lost four men wounded (one of whom later died) and one killed in action.
PFC Barney Mikus, a mill worker from upstate New York, was the unlucky C/1/7 Marine to die in the Nippon Bridge attack.
Burial Information or Disposition
Mikus was reportedly buried in the field shortly after his death; the location was noted as “North Coast, Guadalcanal” and “only grave in vicinity.”
One Log Bridge was the scene of continued fighting for months after Mikus’ death; it is likely that any marker placed over his grave was later destroyed. His remains have never been recovered or identified.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. John Mikus.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of “One Log Bridge,” Guadalcanal.
