Thomas Stephen Pilleri
PFC Thomas S. Pilleri served with King Company, Third Battalion, 1st Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 14 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 354727
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 15, 1922
at Cambridge, MA
Parents
James Vincent Pilleri
Angelina (Beneduce) Pilleri
Education
Rindge High & Latin School
Rindge Technical School (1940)
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
January 9, 1942
at Boston, MA
Home Of Record
14 Second Street
Boston, MA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Angelina Pilleri
Military Specialty
—
Individual Decorations
Silver Star
Purple Heart
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
In mid-September 1942, the Third Battalion 1st Marines was positioned along the eastern flank of the Lunga Perimeter on Guadalcanal. Among their tasks was guarding an important thoroughfare called the “Overland Trail,” which led directly to 1st Marine Division headquarters and Henderson Field. Japanese attacks on Edson’s Ridge and a naval bombardment alerted the battalion to the likelihood of an attack along their route.
On the evening of 13 September, Lieutenant Joseph Tarzi volunteered to establish a listening post in case the Japanese tried advancing down the trail. He took five enlisted Marines armed with Thompson submachine guns out into the jungle and set up a position near the banks of the Tenary River. Shortly before midnight, the lead elements of Major Eiji Mizuno’s Kuma battalion appeared in the darkness. The Marines opened fire with their Thompsons, throwing the Japanese force into confusion and alerting the rest of the defenders.
However, six men did not stand much chance against an entire battalion. The Japanese troops reorganized, charged, and scattered Terzi’s little band. The last survivors reached friendly lines on 17 September 1942 – and reported the death of one of their party. PFC Thomas S. Pilleri, listed as missing in action since 13 September, was killed in action during the initial fracas with the Kuma troops.
Six of us ran into a company of Japs. Pilleri, Mixter, Laurence, Jabo, Joe Terzi and myself. Heard ’em coming and shot hell out of some of ’em. They tossed about 20 or 30 grenades at us and we withdrew to the Ilu River. We stayed [in] the river under an overhanging bank while the Japs beat along both banks shooting and screaming. We stayed in the river about three hours, and damn near froze to death. Then we climbed up the bank and stayed there ’til dawn….
The night was the worst I’ve ever spent, and it’s only a miracle that I am here writing this today…. Mixter and Jabo came back about four days later. Laurence had made it back to our lines the night the fire-fight started. The Lieutenant and I came back the morning after. Pilleri didn’t come back at all. We’re leaving Tom on this island. He died there that night. But we didn’t find out till four days later. Tom was a good friend and a swell guy!
Two members of the patrol – Lieutenant Terzi and PFC Pilleri – received the Silver Star Medal for gallantry at the listening post.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Thomas Pilleri (MCSN: 354727), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, in connection with operations against the enemy at Guadalcanal on 13 and 14 September 1942. Private First Class Pilleri was manning a machine gun for the all-volunteer, forward element listening post when a Japanese Battalion initiated a full scale assault to overrun the Marine control of Henderson Field. In the ensuing heavy fire fight, Private First Class Pilleri heroically remained at his station to cover the ordered withdrawal to the unit perimeter. Due to the lethal fire he provided against the enveloping enemy the other members of the post were able to withdraw, the Japanese surge was checked and the defensive positions were altered to maximum readiness. Private First Class Pilleri’s actions ultimately cost him his life, but helped saved the lives of other members of his unit and also helped the 11th Marines to repulse the Japanese attack. By his initiative courageous actions and complete dedication to duty, Private first Class Pilleri reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Burial Information or Disposition
Muster rolls and casualty cards report that PFC Pilleri was buried in the field on 17 September, and make reference to a “descriptive chart” showing the location. However, this chart was missing from Pilleri’s files as of 1945, and no further record of the location is known to survive.
There is some evidence that Pilleri was considered as a possible match for Guadalcanal Unknown X-112, but dental evidence was inconclusive. Furthermore, X-112 was discovered near Point Cruz, on the opposite end of the Marine perimeter from Pilleri’s listening post. It is likely that Piller’s remains are still on Guadalcanal, buried somewhere between the Ilu and Tenaru Rivers.
To see the Overland Trail battlefield today, visit Dave Holland’s channel “Guadalcanal – Walking A Battlefield.“
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Angelina Pilleri.
Location Of Loss
Approximate area of K Company’s positions, 13 September 1942.
