Calvin Kenneth Kasel
Private Calvin K. Kasel served with Item Company, Third Battalion, 5th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 8 October 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 347229
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 3, 1925
at Jacksonville, FL
Parents
Oswald Albert Kasel
Alma Zeltha Kasel
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Dairy worker
Family farm
Service Life
Entered Service
January 8, 1942
at Orlando, FL
Home Of Record
247 East 15th Street
Jacksonville, FL
Next Of Kin
Parents, Oswald & Alma Kasel
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
I/3/5th Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Calvin’s older brother, Milton, served with C/1/5th Marines on Guadalcanal.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Seventeen-year-old Private Calvin Kasel served in Item Company, 3/5 during the Guadalcanal campaign. From August to September 1942, he participated in heavy combat along the island’s north coast; most objectives centered around control of the Matanikau River.
On 7 October, 3/5 set out to support another operation aimed at crossing the river. Item Company led the way, intending to establish defensive positions along the eastern bank. Instead, they ran into an entrenched Japanese force about 500 yards from their objective. It took the Marines most of the day to reach the river, but Item Company had a dangerous gap on their right flank that could not be closed by nightfall. The Japanese broke through their lines after dark, inflicting heavy casualties on Item Company in a confusing melee. “It was mayhem first class,” said Ore Marion of L/3/5, “with bayoneting, screaming, shouting, and the constant crackle of small-arms fire in that black night.” An Item Company machine gun crew was overrun, and their weapon captured by the rampaging Japanese troops.
In the morning, Item Company took stock of their losses. Seven Marines were killed in action; three more were reported missing later in the day. Only three of the bodies could be transported back to the cemetery.
Private Kasel lost his life to gunshot wounds in the head and chest. His remains could not be recovered from the field.
Burial Information or Disposition
Not recovered; disposition of remains unknown.
One of Calvin Kasel’s identification tags was found on Guadalcanal in 2009, and returned to his family.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Wartime address of parents, Oswald and Alma Kasel.
Previously, the Kasels owned a dairy farm on Lem Turner Road outside of Jacksonville.
Location Of Loss
Private Kasel was killed in action near the eastern bank of the Matanikau River.
