Christmas at Guadalcanal 80 Years Ago

The Battle for Guadalcanal, which took place 80 years ago, was still in doubt. On August 7, 1942, the United States launched Operation Watchtower [the invasion and capture of Guadalcanal by the Japanese]. The 1st Marine Division’s assault on Guadalcanal was the first major amphibious landing in WWII. The main objective was to capture the island’s partially-finished airfield, denying the Japanese a strategic base that could cut off vital supply routes to Australia or New Zealand.

Six months later, on February 23, 1943 the island was secured by seven major naval battles. There was also almost continuous air combat in the area. The Navy had lost so many men and ships that they pulled out of Guadalcanal after only two thirds of the Marine assault force had arrived. The Marines that were left behind had no ammunition or supplies, but they managed to take over the airfield quickly. The airfield was renamed Henderson Field after Loy Henderson who was a naval aviator who died at the Battle of Midway. The Japanese bombarded American troops on the island for six months and sent numerous troop ships to reinforce their defenders. The Navy was able to intercept the majority of Japanese transports and prevented a major Japanese counter-attack.

The U.S. launched an attack on the Japanese base on Munda on New Georgia Island on Christmas Eve. The attack enabled U.S. supply ships with ammunition and supplies to safely return to Guadalcanal. The Christmas of 1942 was a memorable one for the Marines at Guadalcanal.

One of those Marines was PFC Joseph V. Maloney. Born in 1914, he was the son of Irish immigrants in Rye (New York). He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as a rifleman for Company A, 1st Special Weapons Battalion 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Maloney and his 1st Marine Division attacked Guadalcanal on August 22, 1942.

Joseph V. Maloney III received a shoebox with letters from his father that were written during World War II many years later. After his father’s death, an uncle gave the letters to Joseph V. Maloney III. One of those letters was written December 26, 1942.

“December 26, 1942. Christmas is over and Christmas has gone. I can’t say it was just another Christmas. This Christmas is one I will never forget. On Christmas Eve, I went to confession and midnight Mass. Although the Chaplain’s tent wasn’t as extravagant as the church in my hometown, it created a calm atmosphere. The tent had small, electric Christmas lights that were topped by tinsel and rope around the Crossbeams. Many men couldn’t enter the tent. Men held candles at mass throughout this overflow. This was quite an impressive sight considering the circumstances. Even a choir sang Christmas songs during the Mass.

PFC Joseph V. Maloney, together with the rest 1st Marine Division were able to survive Guadalcanal. They were then evacuated to Australia. It took over a year for the division to recover from its destruction.

Maloney and his 1st Marine Division attacked Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on Christmas Day 1943. It rained continuously for four months during the battle. Marines were required to fight both the Japanese and many tropical diseases. Casualties from each side were almost equal.

PFC Joseph V. Maloney returned home in November 1944. Mabel Gorkey was his wife. In February 1948, they had one child, Joseph V. Maloney III. Maloney’s hometown, Rye in New York was where the family lived. He was a captain with the Rye Fire Department and the New York Telephone Company.

Joseph V. Maloney, 39 years old, died in 1954. He suffered from the ravages and complications of tropical diseases, as did many Marines. Joseph V. Maloney III was five years old when he lost contact with his father. It was a wonderful gift to receive the shoebox so many years later.

John Vick

Author’s Note: Christmas away is not easy for our soldiers. For soldiers and sailors caught in the conflict, thousands of miles away from home, celebrating Christmas was very special. They had precious memories of Christmases past that provided a link back home to their family and friends. Let us remember and honor the brave souls who gave their lives so that we can enjoy Christmas in peace.

[Sources: Wikipedia, ryevets.org, Youtube video, Guadalcanal 1942 – A Christmas Story”,directed and produced by Jay Maloney and Patty Butler Spiers, with Joseph V. Maloney III]

The post Christmas at Guadalcanal 80 Years Ago was first published on The AndalusiaStar-News.