William Martin Held
PFC William M. Held served with Love Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 8 October 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 346331
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
June 7, 1918
at Sioux Falls, SD
Parents
William Martin Held
Emma (Christensen) Held
Education
Washington High School (1936)
Occupation & Employer
Grocery Clerk
Red Owl Foods
Service Life
Entered Service
January 6, 1942
at Minneapolis, MN
Home Of Record
614 South Main Avenue
Sioux Falls, SC
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Emma Held
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
L/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 7 October 1942, the Third Battalion, 2nd Marines led an attack against Japanese positions along the Matanikau River. Slight resistance was encountered near their chosen crossing site, a narrow span called “One Log” or “Nippon Bridge,” and the battalion bivouacked on the eastern bank for the night. Heavy rains soaked Marines and Japanese alike.
The downpour showed no sign of abating the next morning as Love Company crossed the bridge and began climbing a steep ridge in Japanese territory. They secured their objectives and were holding position when a Japanese machine gun opened fire. Four L/3/2 Marines went down, including platoon leader 2Lt. Stanley Satkowski. Two Japanese “snipers” were killed, but the Marines lost two dead in turn: PFC William Held and Private Lloyd E. Hanson.
Burial Information or Disposition
Neither Hanson nor Held were recovered from the field; the exact location of their graves – if they received a burial – is not currently known.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Emma Held.
Location Of Loss
Approximate area of L/3/2 positions near Hill 66.
