US NAVY
PACIFIC—1st Battalion, 7th Marines (Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis B. Puller) withdraws from Matanikau River, Guadalcanal, area in landing
craft; extraction of marines is covered by gunfire from destroyer Monssen (DD-436)
and SBD (VMSB). All available Higgins boats (24 in number) are sent to extract
the marines, under Signalman 1st Class Douglas A. Munro, USCG. Munro, with a
volunteer crew, interposes his boat so as to draw fire away from the five boats
that are embarking marines. Munro is killed, two of his three man crew are
wounded (one mortally). He succeeds in his object, but at the cost of his own
life. For his heroism, Munro is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
Japanese
land on Kuria, Gilberts.
ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Stephen Hopkins engages
German auxiliary cruiser Stier (Schiffe 23) and supply ship Tannenfels
in a surface gunnery action in the central South Atlantic on the shipping
lane between Capetown, South Africa, and Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana. Stier sinks
Stephen Hopkins but the German raider sinks after having received heavy
damage inflicted by the freighter's Armed Guard (Ensign Kenneth Willett, USNR)
and civilian volunteer (Cadet Midshipman Edwin J. O'Hara) gunners, 28°08'S,
20°01'W. Tannenfels rescues Stier's survivors (see 27 October
1942). Ensign Willett will receive a posthumous Navy Cross.
US ARMY AIR FORCE
TWELFTH AF—Following a series of command changes between 16
and 27 Sep, Col Thomas W Blackburn becomes CO XII Fighter Command. War Department
assigns to XII Air Support Command the units which are to constitute its force
for the invasion of N Africa, a fighter wing (2 groups), a bomb wing (1 Light
Bomber group and 1 observation group), and 10 signal, service, and engineer
units of various sizes.
US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s are dispatched to
attack an 8,000-ton vessel at Bengasi. No bombs hit target but several straddle
a jetty in the harbor.
TENTH AF—4 B‑25’s over SW China blast Mengshih, claiming
about 30 trucks and 400 troops destroyed. The Medium Bombers also bomb
Tengchung, leaving it aflame. 3 flights of P‑40’s strafe targets of opportunity
along Burma Road, claiming 15 trucks destroyed and 5 barracks groups damaged.
FIFTH AF—A‑20’s continue to pound forces N of Ioribaiwa in
area between Kagi and Efogi and in Myola and Menari areas. Japanese abandon
Ioribaiwa Ridge and are in full retreat under heavy pressure from Australian
ground forces.
ELEVENTH AF—Shore and harbor areas of Kiska are bombed: 8 B‑24’s
and 1 B‑17, escorted by 1 P‑38, 13 P‑39’s and 4 P‑40’s take off first, and are
followed by 6 unescorted B‑24’s. Weather turns back 13 of the fighters. An LB-30
flies photo-weather reconnaissance over Attu, Buldir, the Semichis, Agattu, and
Amchitka.
US ARMY
GUADALCANAL—1st
Raider Battalion attempts to attack enemy strongpoint in Matanikau village area
from rear but is unable to cross river. 2d Battalion of 5th Marines attacks
frontally at river mouth but cannot force crossing. 1st Battalion of 7th
Marines lands near Pt Cruz and takes ridge inland from beach but is prevented by
fire from advancing farther; with naval and air support, returns to shore and
re-embarks for Kukum. 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, covers withdrawal of 1st
Raider Battalion and returns during night to Lunga perimeter.
NEW GUINEA—Japanese abandon Ioribaiwa Ridge under Australian
pressure and are in full retreat.
US MARINE CORPS
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