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William Arthur Price

PFC William A. “Billy” Price served with King Company, Third Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on 11 November 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 311537

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains Not Recovered

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

March 4, 1923
at Laurel, MT

Parents

Reese Joseph Price
Catherine Josephine (Reardon) Price

Education

Laurel High School

Occupation & Employer

High school student

Service Life

Entered Service

June 21, 1941
at Denver, CO

Home Of Record

301 3rd Avenue
Laurel, MT

Next Of Kin

Father, Mr. Reese Price

Military Specialty

Primary Unit

K/3/8th Marines

Campaigns Served

Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

PFC Billy Price arrived at Guadalcanal on 4 November 1942; his unit – K/3/8th Marines – spent a few days acclimatizing to the island. Unfortunately, they received “inadequate indoctrination in combat methods” specific to the Solomons, and as a result “many of the lessons [were] learned the hard way.” Their first operation – a general attack west of the Matanikau River, part of the offensive to take the village of Kokumbona – started on 10 November, and the recently-arrived Marines struggled with heavy packs, little water, and intense heat.

The attack continued at 0800 on 11 November (Armistice Day), and was met by “heavy mortar, sniper, and machine gun fire from their front and left flank.”  By noon, 3/8th Marines had gained only 400 yards – and within hours were ordered to withdraw back to the Matanikau River.

Six Marines from 3/8 were killed or reported missing on 11 November – including PFC Price, who was fatally wounded by machine gun fire at 0700 hours. He may have been participating in a combat or reconnaissance patrol in advance of the main attack.

Burial Information or Disposition

Price’s body was not recovered after the attack. An overlay was prepared to show the exact location – however, a 1945 check of his records failed to find any such document, and his burial site was never found.

Memorials

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

Namesake of  VFW “Billy Price” Post 3177 in Laurel, Montana

Next Of Kin Address

Address of father, Mr. Reese Price.

Location Of Loss

Approximate area where Price was last seen on Guadalcanal.

Related Profiles

Members of the Third Battalion, 8th Marines non-recovered from Guadalcanal
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