Evening star., 1945-04-09
Sergt J. A. OF Ieov, Former Star Emp|oye, Wins
Bronze Star for Heroic Action in Guam Attack


At Formal Ceremony
At Navy Yard /
T/Sergt. jeremiah A. OLeary, jr.,
Marine Corps combat correspondent,
a member of The Stars editorial
staff on military leave, was awarded
the Bronze Star medal at the Navy
Yard today for "heroic achievement
in action against the enemy at
Guam"
The medal was pinned on Sergt.
OLeary by Col. R. c. Kilmartin, jr.,
commanding officer of the Marine
barracks at the Navy Yard, at a
colorful ceremony on the parade
ground. A formal parade was held,
with a Navy band, detachment Of
Marines and detail of Marines of
the Womens Reserve taking part
AT the same time, a Bronze Star
was bestowed on Pfc. Anthony
Sokowlowski, jr., of Buffalo, N. Y,
for heroic conduct in fighting fires
aboard the aircraft carrier Prince
ton caused by enemy bombs.
Volunteered for Action.
Sergt. OLeary's citation pointed
out that, although his division had
just returned from combat, he left it
to volunteer for immediate action
on Guam.
Landing with assault waves of
the combat unit to which he had
been assigned" the citation added,
despite the fact that he was allowed
complete freedom of movement to
obtain material, with complete dis
regard for his own safety, he volun-
tarily joined those groups involved
in the most dangerous fighting, in
order to gather first-hand material
for his news stories. He was con-
stantIy exposed to enemy machine
gun, mortar and small arms fire. He
voluntarily left positions after they
became comparatively secure to OBJ
serve individuals and units involved
in heavier fighting.
His courage and professional skill
resulted in the production of out
standing news stories which, widely
circulated in the United States, ac-
quainted the American people more
fully with the combat phases of
amphibious warfare His conduct
was in keeping with the highest
traditions of the United States
naval service"
Signed by Gen. Smith.
The citation was signed by 1t.
Gen. Holland M. Smith.
Pfc. Sokowlowski's citation was
for distinguishing himself by heroic
achievement in connection with op-
erations against the enemy" while
serving aboard cruiser on October
"a. 1914.
while in action with the enemy
and under attack by enemy air.
craft" the citation said. "he volun-
tarily went board the U. S. S.
Princeton to fight fires caused by
an enemy bomb. Two internal ex-
plosions had already occurred on the
Princeton, and it had been ordered
abandoned. Ammunition was ex-
ploding the entire time he was
aboard, and third large explosion
occurred some time later. His cour-
age and disregard of his own safety
were at all times in keeping with
the highest traditions of the United
States naval service"
Sergt. O'Leary remembers a lot
of things about Guam, none OF them
pleasant. But he insisted he didn't
know, until the citation was read
to him, what he was being deco
rated for.
Sergt. James Moser, also on war
leave from The Stars editorial staff >,
also was a volunteer in the Guam
assault.
In Second Wave.
After pausing at Eniwetok in the
Marshalls for some rest and instruc-
ton, the Marines pushed on to
Guam, landing July 81. Sergt.
OLeary hit the beach with the sec
ond wave. Half Of those who shared
his landing craft were killed at some
time during the attack. Heavy
mortar fire from the hills sprayed
the beach. The Marines suffered
5000 casualties in the conquest OF
Guam.
Six days after they landed. the
Japs broke through in nine places.
They captured all the mortars the
2lst Regiment had been firing at
them. Sergt. O'Leary and his COM
rades discovered with daylight a
flock of Japs scattered through
their beachhead.
1--WE got 60 of them," he recalled.
They got only six of u.s.
It was the first time he could train
the sights of his carbine on an in
dividual Jap. And I missed" he
admitted. He saw five of the trap
ped enemies kill themselves.
Lands at Peleliu.
He had thought Guam was tough,
but a tougher battle waited over the
horizon. They sailed from Cape
Esperance late in August and landed
at Peleliu September IS. The island
was a dot on the map SKI miles,
but it proved blazing hell for the
1st Division. One regiment took the
southern tip in three days. Another
took the air strip and third went
into the hills. The regiment in the
hills was pinned down under the
most powerful mortar fire the boys
had seen-tossed out by 141-mm.
weapons. Reinforcements had to be
sent into the hills.
Some days We made 40 yards, I"
said Sergt. OLeary. "Other days we
didn't do SO we'll"
That one division had 5000 cas-
ualties. He got to going on sniper
patrols, although he was supposed