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Official War Diaries are usually dry affairs.
One War Diary is different in that it praises a soldier from a different army.
In January 1943 the 55th Battery, 2/5th Royal Australian Artillery Reg't had been detached to support to the American thrust along the Papua coast.
Official War Diaries are usually dry affairs.
One War Diary is different in that it praises a soldier from a different army.
In January 1943 the 55th Battery, 2/5th Royal Australian Artillery Reg't had been detached to support to the American thrust along the Papua coast.
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In 1919 a boy named Carl J. Patrinos was born in the quiet community of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
His parents were a Greek immigrant tavern keeper, Tony, & his wife Helga.
Tony had emigrated on the RMS Carpathia, the ship that had rescued the survivors from the 'Titanic' in 1912.
In 1919 a boy named Carl J. Patrinos was born in the quiet community of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
His parents were a Greek immigrant tavern keeper, Tony, & his wife Helga.
Tony had emigrated on the RMS Carpathia, the ship that had rescued the survivors from the 'Titanic' in 1912.
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At high school young Carl excelled in sports.
In 1940 he chose to join the Wisconsin National Guard.
He had nearly completed his yearlong tour of duty when Pearl Harbor occurred.
He found himself in 1st Platoon, Company G, 1st Battalion 127th Regiment, 32d Infantry Division.
At high school young Carl excelled in sports.
In 1940 he chose to join the Wisconsin National Guard.
He had nearly completed his yearlong tour of duty when Pearl Harbor occurred.
He found himself in 1st Platoon, Company G, 1st Battalion 127th Regiment, 32d Infantry Division.
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By late September of 1942 the 32d Division were the first major American Army unit to arrive in Papua New Guinea, a place they had never heard of.
Carl’s 127th Regiment was the last of the division’s three infantry regiments to be deployed into the battle zone.
By late September of 1942 the 32d Division were the first major American Army unit to arrive in Papua New Guinea, a place they had never heard of.
Carl’s 127th Regiment was the last of the division’s three infantry regiments to be deployed into the battle zone.
By Jan 1943 his battalion was part of “Warren Force” heading north along the Papuan coast towards almost 10,000 Japanese troops dug in securely at the Buna-Sanananda Beachhead area.
The American advance become stalled, along a narrow stretch of beach between sea and fetid swamps.
The American advance become stalled, along a narrow stretch of beach between sea and fetid swamps.
Despite help from the Australian veterans of the 18th Brigade, the advance to Sanananda Point was blocked for days.
Since July, the Japanese had carefully prepared a meticulous network of bunkers.
On Jan. 17 Sgt Patronis opted to crawl forward with 2 men, armed mainly w/grenades.
Since July, the Japanese had carefully prepared a meticulous network of bunkers.
On Jan. 17 Sgt Patronis opted to crawl forward with 2 men, armed mainly w/grenades.
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Under fire, Sgt Patronis destroyed enemy bunkers at very close range, and succeeded in moving his small sector of front and his MG forward by 50 yards.
A remarkable advance due to one man's initiative and bravery.
Lt Marr, attached Australian artillery observer, watched this.
Under fire, Sgt Patronis destroyed enemy bunkers at very close range, and succeeded in moving his small sector of front and his MG forward by 50 yards.
A remarkable advance due to one man's initiative and bravery.
Lt Marr, attached Australian artillery observer, watched this.
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The next day a few officers and men of the Australian 55th Battery, in support of the 127th American Regiment, moved up to observe why the American advance was blocked.
Battery Commander, Major Hall, was impressed with the American sergeant's "lone hand" initiative & courage.
The next day a few officers and men of the Australian 55th Battery, in support of the 127th American Regiment, moved up to observe why the American advance was blocked.
Battery Commander, Major Hall, was impressed with the American sergeant's "lone hand" initiative & courage.
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This incident as noted in the Australian 55th Battery's War Diary occurred at Giruwa, between Buna and Sanananda.
The last disease-ridden and starving Japanese were eliminated a week later, on January 22nd.
The stench of hundreds of rotting bodies in the area was overpowering.
This incident as noted in the Australian 55th Battery's War Diary occurred at Giruwa, between Buna and Sanananda.
The last disease-ridden and starving Japanese were eliminated a week later, on January 22nd.
The stench of hundreds of rotting bodies in the area was overpowering.
10/
Due to Major Hall's ardent commendation, Sergeant Carl Patrinos was awarded the Silver Star.
So due to an Australian, a sergeant of the United States Armed Forces was awarded the third-highest American decoration for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
Due to Major Hall's ardent commendation, Sergeant Carl Patrinos was awarded the Silver Star.
So due to an Australian, a sergeant of the United States Armed Forces was awarded the third-highest American decoration for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
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After leave in Australia, he returned as a Lieutenant to join the 32d in fighting along New Guinea's north coast.
He earned 2 Purple Stars in the Philippines campaign.
Post-war he joined the local police force, then had a long career as a distributor w/Pabst Brewing Co.
END.
After leave in Australia, he returned as a Lieutenant to join the 32d in fighting along New Guinea's north coast.
He earned 2 Purple Stars in the Philippines campaign.
Post-war he joined the local police force, then had a long career as a distributor w/Pabst Brewing Co.
END.
