Last week, I traveled to Arizona to visit with James Gann, who served in the 182nd Infantry during World War II. He joined Company G in 1943 on Fiji, survived the Battle of Hill 260, and finished the war (Leyte, Cebu, and Japan) in the Wire Section of 182nd Regimental Headquarters. James was kind enough to allow me to interview him about his experiences, and we recorded 90 minutes of his detailed first hand accounts of the war. He also allowed me to digitize his photographs from the war, which include many of the men of Company G in various Pacific locations. Some years ago, James had sent me photocopies of these pictures, but now we have the ability to share them in digital high resolution. Of particular importance to me was to get a good scan of his photos of James “June” Edwards, one of the men who was killed in action during the war.
I’ve included a few of James’ photos on this page. In the future I hope to upload either a transcript of the full interview, or perhaps the interview itself to YouTube. I’m still working out the best strategy on that, so please stay tuned.
My grandfather was in this 182nd infantry and I have one of the group photos pictures on this page. My mother is under the impression he was brought home by the Marines and she thought the rest of the group had died in battle. My grandfather died in 2007. His name was Thomas O’Day.
Dave did you ever get the full interwiew posted. I would love to read it. Thanks
Hi Terry! I am sorry to say I haven’t had a chance yet. I had some technical difficulties switching between an older camera and a new computer.
I hope to see the interview soon. I am fascinated by these people since my grandmother who passed away in 2016 had a first hand account coming across these soldiers as a young girl in Cebu and it always left the impression of happiness when they get to see Americans finally return after four years of terror and hardship. Her dad even fixed some of the soldiers’ spectacles since he was optometrist. I enjoyed listening to her wartime stories very much but unfortunately she was a busy woman who worked until her late 70s and never had the time to write her experience.
My father, Norman K Miller , 33099549, was in the 182nd, Headquarters Company in Guadalcanal 1942. If anyone has pictures or records of the 182nd at this time please contact me. I have his honorable discharge papers and some photographs, even found one of him while searching thru the web recently. Doing research to pass down to my children to keep his legacy and memory. Thank you so much.
My father WILLIAM J CONOLE ,was in this division he was drafted in 1940 for one year but after 11 1/2 months pearl harbor . I would appreciate any pictures or info that is available.
Trying to find some info on my wife’s grandfather Joseph Leonard. He would not talk much about what happened before he passed… we want to pass along, information of him and his buddy’s , to his grandchildren
Thanks for the message! Do you have any information about what unit he was assigned to? Do you think he was with the 182nd for some reason?
My Dad served in the Navy on New Caledonia.
He never talked about the war but I believe he may have had something to do with retrieving or processing dead soldiers returned there from Guadalcanal.
If anyone could steer me to more information., I would greatly appreciate.
His brother told me this just before his death in 9/22.
My Dad’s name was William L Brown