Orlin Harold Gisvold

Orlin Gisvold was born in Galesburg, North Dakota, on 20 February 1919. His parents, Erick and Karoline Julia Gisvold, were Norwegian immigrants who raised a family of nine; Orlin grew up in a family of railroad workers and farmers.

After eight years in Galesburg schools, Orlin joined the workforce. He owned and operated his own dray line in Galesburg for a time, and shortly before the war moved to tiny Erie to build grain elevators.

At some point in his youth, Orlin met Marjorie Jean Morrow, an Erie native living in Page, North Dakota. The details of their relationship aren’t known, but they were at least close friends – to the point that Orlin listed Marjorie as his emergency contact when he joined the Marine Corps.

On 9 January 1942, Orlin Gisvold traveled to the nearest recruiting station – Minneapolis, Minnesota – and volunteered for the United States Marine Corps. He was soon on his way to MCRD San Diego for boot camp, after which he joined Company K, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines for additional training as a machine gunner.

Gisvold spent his entire time in the service with “King Company.” They left the United States in June of 1942 sailed west across the Pacific, and by early August were involved in combat operations in the Solomon Islands.

The 2nd Marines aided in the taking of Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and Florida Islands, and would spend the next several weeks on garrison and guard duty while the campaign for Guadalcanal raged just across the waters of “Iron Bottom Sound.” Starting in September, the regiment was gradually brought into the battle.

Gisvold’s Third Battalion was the first to be deployed, and arrived on Guadalcanal itself on 15 September 1942. The battalion provided security for the command post, manned beach defenses, and guarded the banks of the Lunga River until early October.

On 7 October 1942, 3/2nd Marines joined in the latest American offensive to the west, crossing the Matanikau River and assaulting Japanese defenses in the jungles and ridges beyond. The aptly-named Third Battle of the Matanikau would last for two days – and Orlin Gisvold would become the only man in his company to die before it concluded.

A mortar shell killed Orlin as his company led the assault across the Matanikau. While his regiment’s war diary claims that he died on 7 October, most other official accounts report 8 October. His body could not be immediately recovered, and Orlin had to wait until 11 October for the limited dignity of burial in the field.

Unfortunately, although the location of his grave was recorded in a sketch overlay, the precise location was never located by post-war searches. Orlin Gisvold’s remains are likely still on Guadalcanal.

CENOTAPHS
Elm River Cemetery, Galesburg, North Dakota
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial