Searching for info on Company K, 103rd Infantry, 43 Division

I am doing family genealogy and having been searching for info regarding my father's youngest brother who was KIA on July 27, 1943, somewhere in the Pacific theatre. He was an Army Private and belonged to the 103 Infantry, 43 Division, Company K.

His final pay voucher states he died at APO 43 San Francisco, Calif. I can only assume this means he probably shipped out from San Franciso since the voucher further states he is due pay for overseas service from June 1, 1943 to July 27, 1943. Voucher states he was last paid on May 31, 1943.

I have written to the National Archives, but his record was destroyed in the fire. The only thing they could provide was the final pay voucher mentioned above.

I would like to know any information about his Company, Division or anything anyone could provide since my family has never know the circumstances of his death or even where he was killed. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

bamamay

 

You should request his Individual Deceased Personnel File
from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command at
Fort Knox, Ky.

https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/media/default.asp


The IDPF is available without cost to family members
of WW II servicemen who died overseas.

Here is a sample letter to request one:


U.S. Army Human Resources Command
ATTN: FOIA Office
1600 Spearhead Division Avenue
Fort Knox, KY 40122

Dear Sirs,

IAW with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), I should like to
request a copy of the Individual Deceased Personnel File for my
uncle, , who died in World War II.

Below is his personal information:

- NAME:
- RANK: PFC
- ASN:
- UNIT:
- DATE OF DEATH:

I realize that this will take some time, and I will be patient.
Naturally, I am prepared to pay any costs necessary for the
production and mailing of the file.


You may have a 4-6 month wait to receive the IDPF.



Dave

 

By the way, CARL has digitized the history of the 43rd Infantry Division.

It is available in three parts for downloading.

History of the 43d Infantry Division, 1941 - 1945. :: World War II Operational Documents


Dave

 

The Combat Chronicles of the 43rd:

The 43d Infantry Division landed in New Zealand on 23 October 1942. The 172d Regiment arrived at Espiritu Santo, 26 October. The Division moved to Noumea, New Caledonia, in November and to Guadalcanal, 17 February 1943. Russell Islands were occupied without opposition, 21 February, and training continued. Elements landed on Vangunu and Rendova Islands against minor resistance, 30 June, but the enemy fought fiercely before relinquishing Munda and its airfield, 5 August. Vela Cela and Baanga were taken easily, but the Japanese resisted stubbornly on Arundel Island before withdrawing, 22 September. After training at Munda, the 43d moved to Guadalcanal and thence to New Zealand for rest and rehabilitation. On 19 July 1944, the Division assumed defensive positions at Aitape, engaged in patrols and reconnaissance at Tadji and along the Drinumor River, 25 July, and took the offensive, 8 August 1944, ending organized resistance on the 25th. On 9 January 1945, the 43d made an assault landing in the San Fabian area, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. Under enemy fire, the Division secured the beachhead and fought into the Lingayen Plain by 12 February. The offensive was resumed against the enemy north and west of Fort Stotsenburg, 27 February. After ending Japanese resistance in the Zambales Mountains, the 43d swung south against the Shimbu Line. On 6 May 1945, the attack continued in the Bulucan area. Ipo Dam was secured and enemy opposition smashed in the Ipo area, 19 May. Mopping-up activities continued until 30 June 1945. The Division left Manila, 7 13 September, for occupation duty in Japan until it left for home.

http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/cbtchron/cc/043id.htm

 

Your uncle was killed at New Georgia in the Solomons:

"On the morning of July 26, strong patrols searched the left flank fixing the main pill box positions. A tank reconnaissance was conducted in close contact with the patrols. At 1225, the 103d Infantry attacked with tanks and flame throwers. Resistance at Ilangana was reduced by mid-afternoon and the advance continued until 1700. Seventy-four pill boxes were found in depth on a 600 yard front. At this time our left had advanced to Kia, materially improving our position. Reconnaissance in force by the 172d Infantry during the day kept constant pressure on the enemy defenders, but proved costly in casualties on the approaches to the enemy's "Shimizu Mountain" stronghold. ​

"During the period July 27 to August our advances were slow, but gained ground steadily. On July 29 the 169th Infantry (less the 3d Battalion) was put into the line, giving the division a three regiment front. Constant aggressive action and small unit maneuver, combined with constant artillery and mortar action gradually forced the enemy back from his high ground defenses."

http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/northsol/northsol.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Georgia_Campaign

 

This U.S. Army Signal Corps' photo from the NARA II, College Park,
may give you a sense of the jungle conditions faced by the 103rd.







III-SC 185864, Credit NARA.

By the way, College Park has at least 20 SC photos of the Division in New Georgia.


Dave

 

Thank you so much for pointing me to the US Army Human Resources Command. Hopefully, this will yield the answers the family would like to have.

I did stumble on the digitized history of the 43rd Infantry Division you mention in your second reply and I have downloaded it - thanks again.

bamamay

 

I am so appreciative of the info you have provided regarding the 43 Division, 103 Infantry, Company K request I made.

Is there a master list anywhere on the forum that lists forum members who served in the 43 Division, 103 Infantry, Company K?

Is there a way to ask if there are any members out there who might have served in my uncle's unit?

You have been a wealth of info, thank you for your time.

bamamay

 

Couple more for you to try:

43d Infantry Division Research Site

43rd Infantry Division Unit History (LoneSentry.com)

World War II Divisional Combat Chronicles

 

My great uncle was with the 103rd, but he passed away a few years ago from cancer. I wish I had had the chance to visit with him, he was the talker of the 2 WWII surviving brothers, the other being my grandpa. I don't think I ever did find out what company he was in though. There is a book for the 43rd Division history, its an excellent read if you want an idea what they did during the war.

 

Just found my copy it is The History of the 43rd Division 1941-1945
Joseph E. Zimmer

my notes in the book point to my great uncle being in Company E

I hope you find out more about your uncle.
Krystal

 

You are welcome. It is probable that the IDPF will tell you how he died and where he died.


Dave

 

What was his name? I am working on a documentary/book on the 103d Infantry, 43d at Luzon...... I may can help, not sure.

Ronald Sisk
contact@AmericanDigitalFilms.com

 

The person I'm finishing the book on was in M Company, but went ashore with and fought with K Company (K company was a rifle company). The records are not perfect but his story is a step by step account that is very detailed. Because he was in charge of maps, the radio operator and also was one of the forward observers he was with the commander and knew most everyone.

Ronald Sisk
contact@AmericanDigitalFilms.com

 

Ronald, welcome to the Forum!

Unfortunately, the OP hasn't logged in since November 29th. Hopefully, they will check back and respond. It has happened before.

I hope you will keep us updated on your book/documentary. It sounds like it will be interesting. I have a relative who was with the 37th Division which fought alongside the 43rd Division a few times in the Pacific. I wish you well on that project.

 

In the event bamamay does stop by again, I found a few more links related to the original info provided:

Map: Capture of Munda Point 22 July - 4 August 1943 (click on map to expand)

Based on the date given, the OP's uncle was KIA during the assault on Munda Airfield on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands. The position of the 103d Infantry on 27 July would have been somewhere between the 22 July and 1 Aug lines of position according to the above map.

An account of the taking of the Munda Airfield can be read at:

CARTWHEEL: The Reduction of Rabaul - XIV Corps Offensive

Both of the above links are courtesy of HyperWar.


I also came across the following article on the fighting on New Georgia. The article is short, but it has a photo slide show featuring the 43d Division.

The Harsh Realities of Warfare

 

A quick combat chronology of the 103rd Infantry in the Pacific can be found here: http://www.me.ngb.army.mil/news/103d-RCT-On-Point.pdf

 

I don't suppose you have anything specifically on Company K? Just wondering since you have done some research on the 103rd.

 

I've actually got a picture of Company K on Luzon, but for some reason I can't get the photos to load on this site. I should be able to get you more info on the company's operations soon as well.

 

If you're trying to do a direct upload, it's probably the size limit of 500KB per post that is the problem. A lot of members use an image hosting site like ImageShack or PhotoBucket to get around the size limit. If you know how to downsize the pic without reducing the quality, try doing that. If those options don't work for you, let me know and maybe we can work something out.

Any thing you can share about Company K would be appreciated. There's not a lot of info online for Company level units. With more and more people taking an interest in the service of family members, it would be a great resource for them.