Okinawa Marines, June 14, 1945

DAVID S. MCDOUGAL, LTCOL, USMC ‘33

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

On this date in 1945 three alumni were killed in action during the ferocious fighting on Okinawa. LTCOL David McDougal '33 was commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Day '45 was a member of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines and 2LT Lloyd Wyatt, Jr. '45 the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines. In addition to Arthur and Lloyd being classmates, they were both in the 8th Company at the Naval Academy.

While Arthur and Lloyd had been Marines for barely a year, David had been stationed aboard ships and at Marine Barracks across the country. He served 22 months in the South Pacific, including on Guadalcanal when, as a Major, he took command of his battalion when his CO was wounded or killed. After a week in the role he was wounded (in October 1942); he was wounded again at Cape Gloucester in December 1943.

We remember all three of these men. To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_S._MCDOUGAL,_LTCOL,_USMC

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ARTHUR_C._DAY,_2LT,_USMC

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/LLOYD_K._WYATT,_JR.,_2LT,_USMC

ARTHUR C. DAY, 2LT, USMC, ‘45

LLOYD K. WYATT, JR., 2LT, USMC, ‘45

EDWARD E. DEGARMO, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Edward DeGarmo '40 in the Lucky Bag: "When he isn't holding bunk drill, you can find him playing bridge (his favorite indoor and outdoor sport), dragging, reading, working cross-words, or doing a little private jitter-bugging to some hot tune by T. Dorsey. The ability to turn a hopelessly lost debate into apparent victory by resort to a technical point not even remotely connected with the subject is his outstanding characteristic. A typical, smooth-talking son of Ohio, Ed (the walking dictionary) has been a friend to all, always ready to do or try anything. We wish him luck in the Service and hope to be as good shipmates as we have been pals and roommates."

Ed began his service aboard USS Enterprise, but it's unclear what his wartime experience was prior to early 1945. From at least February to June, however, he was the commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 82 aboard USS Bennington (CV 20). During these four short months he was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, and four Distinguished Flying Crosses. His squadron participated in the destruction of the battleship Yamato and her escorts. Twice in one day he led raids over Tokyo.

On June 3, 1945, Ed was shot down and severely injured by antiaircraft fire over Okinawa while flying a resupply mission to forward Marines.

He was survived by his wife, to whom he was engaged in 1942.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/EDWARD_E._DEGARMO,_LCDR,_USN

EDWARD E. DEGARMO, LCDR, USN

LCDR Edward Degarmo '40 in the Lucky Bag: "When he isn't holding bunk drill, you can find him playing bridge (his favorite indoor and outdoor sport), dragging, reading, working cross-words, or doing a little private jitter-bugging to some hot tune by T. Dorsey. The ability to turn a hopelessly lost debate into apparent victory by resort to a technical point not even remotely connected with the subject is his outstanding characteristic. A typical, smooth-talking son of Ohio, Ed (the walking dictionary) has been a friend to all, always ready to do or try anything. We wish him luck in the Service and hope to be as good shipmates as we have been pals and roommates."

Edward was lost on June 6, 1945 when his airplane was shot down near Okinawa.

He was commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 82.

He was awarded the Navy Cross for his "extraordinary heroism" and "inspiring leadership."

He was awarded two Silver Stars for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action".

He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses for "heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight."

He was survived by his wife, Beatrice, and is buried in California.

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/EDWARD_E._DEGARMO,_LCDR,_USN