Eugene Wilson Wade
PFC Eugene W. “Wilson” Wade served with Dog Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on 13 January 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 320600
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 23, 1919
in Bloomington, IL
Parents
Frank Wade (d. 1944)
Annette (Marques) Wade
Education
Normal Community High School (1938)
Illinois State University (ex-1942)
Occupation & Employer
Restaurant manager
Steak ‘n Shake
Service Life
Entered Service
August 29, 1941
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
Normal, IL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Anette Wade
Military Specialty
—
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
In the first weeks of 1943, American troops began preparations for what they hoped would be the last drive against Japanese forces on Guadalcanal. The 25th Infantry Division kicked off a major offensive on 10 January, with the 8th Marines scheduled to join in three days later.
At 0530 on 13 January, 1/8th Marines started the advance to the west. They ran into Japanese machine gun positions within minutes, and the fighting revolved around eliminating these emplacements one by one. Shotguns, flamethrowers, demolition charges, heavy machine guns, and mortars were used with varying degrees of success, and no sooner had one gun been knocked out than another opened fire.
PFC Eugene Wade and Private Joseph J. Diamond, both of D/1/8th Marines, were killed in action at approximately 0900 hours. The exact circumstances of their deaths aren’t known; it is likely they were heavy machine gunners attached to one of the assault companies.
Burial Information or Disposition
PFC Wade was reportedly buried in the field at (69.5-199) on the standard Map 104 of Guadalcanal’s northern coast. The grave could not be located by post-war searches.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Annette Wade.
Wilson’s older brother, Sidney Scott Wade, retired from the USMC as a major general.
Location Of Loss
Approximate area where PFC Wilson was buried, now part of Honiara.
