Carl Wesley Brock
Corporal Carl W. Brock served with King Company, Third Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on 11 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 294793
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 9, 1918
at Lodge Grass, MT
Parents
John Wesley Brock
Margaret Lavina (Waddell) Brock)
Education
Topeka High School
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
September 12, 1940
at Kansas City, MO
Home Of Record
1411 Harrison Street
Topeka, KS
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Elizabeth J. (McGrath) Brock
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
Corporal Carl Brock 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 Corporal Brock, who was killed by machine gun fire at 0800 hours, just as the attack began. His death was witnessed by the company commander, Captain Scott S. Corbett, Jr.
Burial Information or Disposition
Brock’s body was not recovered after the attack. He was last seen near coordinates (67.3 – 200.4) on Guadalcanal Map #104; there is no record of any burial during the war.
However, Corporal Brock’s casualty card records that he was buried in “Grave #1, Florida Island” – and the Graves Registration team assigned to his case in 1949 actually followed up on this lead. However, this was clearly an error, and no such grave existed. The team later searched the coordinates where Brock was last seen with negative results.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Elizabeth “Betty” Brock.
Location Of Loss
Approximate area where Brock was last seen on Guadalcanal.
