Grayson County TXGenWeb

World War II
William Manuel Bales
Petty Officer - Pharmacists Mate 2nd cl.
Navy - kia
Rendova Island Invasion
30 Jun to 2 Jul 1943
The Japanese attacked the island and forces to try and knock them
out, they had set up with howitzers, motor torpedo boats and were
attacking a Japanese air and naval base on New Georgia Island.
There were many ships involved and I couldn't establish which one
he was on or if he died on the Island or evacuating the injured.
The landing boats would take the wounded back to ships if able.
All of our "Forces" were used, Army, Marines, Navy, Sea-bees and air forces
64 were killed on 2 Jul 1943, the day of the heaviest fighting.
The Navy carried all the landing crafts, men, equipment and supplies
to the island.
The landing crafts carried men, armored tanks, trucks and artillery
and all the supplies they needed.


See Photos

Story of this battle


Two YouTube films about Rendova
Rendova WWII     

Lest We Forget “The Price of Rendova” (1943-Restored)

There are many more on YouTube, run a search.

He was a pharmacists mate.
 Abbreviated as PhM

also called
Medical Corps
William Manuel Bales was born in Denison, Texas and his wife was Loretta Katherine Hargis Bales
They lived at 128 Gandy St, Denison
He appears on this page of Grayson County Servicemen

He died July 2, 1943
Rendova Island, Solomon Islands, Pacific

I did not find his story but found
a story of a sailor and his experience
during this battle, you can feel the

battle through his words.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
24 Jul 1943
This is the insignia he would have
worn for the Pharmacists Mate 2nd Cl.


Fort Worth - Telegram
6 Aug 1943



MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL - MANILA, PHILIPPINES

 Grayson County Military Page
Susan Hawkins
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