Joseph Allen Gaylord

Private Joseph Gaylord spent the first part of his war on garrison duty in Samoa before deploying to the South Pacific with his regiment in November 1942. As comparatively fresh troops, the 8th Marines were committed to assisting the Army’s advance along Guadalcanal’s north coast – already the scene of repeated heavy fighting.

At 0630 on 24 November, the Second Battalion, 8th Marines passed through the lines of 3/164th Infantry and advanced towards Japanese positions on Hill 83. Their morale was boosted by a heavy artillery barrage, but the relief was short-lived. “Japanese machine guns and mortars were so well emplaced in rock and coral that the artillery preparation… had very little effect,” noted the regiment’s daily operations report. “When our assault companies reached the edge of the wooded draw to their front, they were met with heavy machine guns, mortars, and hand grenade fire.” George Company was particularly hard hit as its platoons became separated in the thick trees. A dispiriting report reached the 8th Marines command post at 1215: “Send 6 litters and all available medical personnel… Co “G” 1st platoon is lost from them – went down the draw to the right. Co “G” 2d platoon got back with 14 men.” The survivors eventually returned to friendly lines, and the battalion dug in along its starting point. The assault was over.

When the casualty list was tallied, George Company reported three confirmed KIAs – platoon leader 2Lt. Glen Burnham, Sergeant Raphael R. McGauran, and Private Robert W. Callahan – and five others missing in action. Among them was Private Joe Gaylord. He was never seen alive again, and was officially declared dead on 24 February 1943.