15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion

Last updated
15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
Active
  • 1 Oct 1942 [1] – 25 Nov 1944 [2]
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
BranchFlag of the United States Marine Corps.svg United States Marine Corps
TypeAir Defense/Coastal Defense
Size~1100 men
Nickname(s)First:Fifteenh [3]
Engagements World War II
Commanders
Current
commander		N/A
Notable
commanders		 Francis B. Loomis Jr.

The 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (15th AAA Bn) was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1942 as the 1st Airdrome Battalion. Its original mission was to provide air defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion took part in combat operations in the Marshall. The battalion was one of the first defense battalions to be decommissioned on November 25, 1944.

Contents

History

Organization

1st Airdrome Battalion Table of Organization: [4]

LSTs 476 & 479 unloading 15th Defense Battalion equipment on Roi-Namur in February 1944. LST-476 and LST-479 land vehicles and supplies at Roi Island, circa in early February 1944 (80-G-54417).jpg
LSTs 476 & 479 unloading 15th Defense Battalion equipment on Roi-Namur in February 1944.

The 1st Airdrome Battalion was commissioned on October 1, 1942 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. It was one of two airdrome battalions formed by the Marine Corps specifically to defend airfields in the China Burma India Theater. Those airfields were overrun by the Japanese before the battalions deployed so the Marine Corps quickly changed their tasking to missions in the Pacific Theater. [4] The battalion arrived at Pearl Harbor on September 18, 1943 and based out of Camp Catlin and Camp Beaumont near Nānākuli. From October 1943 through January 1944 the battalion trained on Oahu. During this period the battalion was re-designated as the 15th Defense Battalion on October 10, 1943 {Auth Letter from Commanding General MarFor, Serial No. 43108, dated 20Oct43} No other Marine Corps unit has carried the battalion's lineage and honors since it was decommissioned.

Roi-Namur

On January 15, 1944 the battalion began loading LSTs-476, 477, and 479. It was assigned as part of the Northern Landing Force for the upcoming attack on Kwajalein Atoll and departed on January 22. [5] The 15th came ashore on Roi-Namur on February 2, 1944. The battalions antiaircraft assets were in place prior to the island being secured. [6] Many of the units guns were emplaced in craters leftover from the American shelling and bombing of the airfield. [7] Marines from the 15th Defense Battalion and the Seacoast Artillery Group also formed an ad hoc "Burial Unit" in order to bury the scores of enemy dead on the small island. [8] As the garrison force for Roi-Namur, the battalions motor transport assets were critical to clean up efforts and new construction projects. [6] [9] The battalion's antiaircraft guns went into action against the first Japanese air raid against Roi-Namur on February 12, 1944. Through the creative use of window, which fooled the 15th's radars, Japanese seaplanes from Ponape got through unscathed and bombed the island setting off one of the ammo dumps in the process. [6] It turned out to be the most destructive Japanese air raid against the United States since the attacks on Pearl Harbor. 26 Marines were killed, 130 wounded and 80% of the islands supplies and 20% of the construction equipment were destroyed. [10] During the seizure of Roi-Namur the 15th Defense Battalion had five Marines killed in action and forty wounded in action. [11]

Return to Hawaii and decommissioning

On April 19, 1944 the battalion was re-designated as the 15th Antiaircraft Battalion. Just under a month later, on May 7, their designator was changed for the final time to the 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. [2] [3] On October 18 the 52nd Defense Battalion arrived at Roi-Namur to replace the 15th. [12] The relief in place was complete by October 22. The battalion loaded onto the USS Winged Arrow (AP-170) and departed Roi-namur bound for Hawaii. It arrived in Hawaii on November 8, 1944. The 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was decommissioned just over two weeks later on November 25, 1944.

Unit awards

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. The 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion has been presented with the following awards: [13]

StreamerAwardYear(s)Additional Info
Streamer APC.PNG Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer 1944 Kwajalein
Streamer WWII V.PNG World War II Victory Streamer 1941–1945 Pacific War

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine defense battalions</span>

Marine Defense Battalions were United States Marine Corps battalions charged with coastal and air defense of advanced naval bases during World War II. They maintained large anti-ship guns, anti-aircraft guns, searchlights, and small arms to repel landing forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion</span> Military unit

3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control and air defense unit that is optimized for operations in the first island chain. The battalion is based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division.

The 2nd 90mm Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that was active during the 1940s & 1950s. Originally formed during World War II as the 9th Defense Battalion, the battalion took part in combat operations on Guadalcanal, Rendova, Munda Point, and Guam. Like most other Marine defense battalions, the unit was re-designated in September 1944, becoming the 9th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. Returning to the United States in 1946, the battalion was again re-designated, this time as the 1st Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. The battalion received its final designation as the 2nd 90mm Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion on August 21, 1950. It was later decommissioned on September 15, 1956 at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of ground based air defense in the United States Marine Corps</span>

The History of ground based air defense in the United States Marine Corps dates back to the early 1930s with the establishment of the Advanced Base Force. World War II would be the high-water mark for air defense units when 20+ defense/anti-aircraft battalions were formed with many seeing significant action throughout the Pacific Theater. Following the war, the Marine Corps divested itself of most of its air defense capability at a time when the service was facing deep personnel cuts and fighting for its institutional survival. Beginning in the early 1950s the Marine Corps aligned itself with the Navy and their development of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). The Marine Corps retained both flak weapons and SAMs throughout the 1950s until the fielding of the MIM-23 Hawk Missile System in 1960. The HAWK Missile was employed by Light Antiaircraft Missile (LAAM) battalions and remained a mainstay of Marine Corps ground based air defense for the next four decades.

The 2d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 2d Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended Hawaii, Tutuila in American Samoa and Guam and took part in combat operations at Tarawa Atoll and Okinawa. The battalion returned to the United States after the war and was decommissioned at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California on 28 November 1945.

The Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station Midway was a United States Marine Corps detachment responsible for security at Naval Air Station Midway following World War II. The unit was originally formed in March 1941 as the 6th Defense Battalion with the mission of providing air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion is most noted for defending Midway Atoll against Japanses air raids during the Battle of Midway. The 6th Defense Battalion garrisoned Midway for the remainder of the war and was later re-designated as the Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station Midway on 1 February 1946. Marine Barracks Midway was decommissioned on 31 October 1949

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion</span> Military unit

The 8th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 8th Defense Battalion, its original mission was the air and coastal defense of advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended Tutuila in American Samoa, Wallis Island and Apamama and took part in combat operations at Okinawa. The battalion returned to the United States after the war and was decommissioned on 28 November 1945.

The 16th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 16th Defense Battalion, its original mission was the air and coastal defense of advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended Johnston Island, Hawaii and Tinian and took part in combat operations at Okinawa. The battalion returned to the United States after the war and was decommissioned on 30 November 1945 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion</span> Military unit

The 12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 12th Defense Battalion, its original mission was providing air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended the Russell Islands and took part in combat operations at Woodlark Island, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu. The battalion remained on Peleliu for the duration of the war and was finally decommissioned on Guam on 22 September 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite)</span> Military unit

The 2d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite) (2d AAA Bn [Composite]) was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1943 as the 3d Airdrome Battalion, its original mission was strictly providing air defense. On 1 October 1943 the battalion was redesignated the 18th Defense Battalion. During the war the battalion provided air defense for the Saipan and Tinian area of operations. The battalion returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after the war receiving its final designation on 16 May 1946. The battalion was decommission in September 1947.

The 4th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 4th Defense Battalion, its original mission was providing air and coastal defense of advanced naval bases. It was one of first five defense battalions deployed in support of the color-coded war plans that called for the defense of Hawaii and other outlying United States possessions in the Pacific Ocean. These five battalions were nicknamed the "Rainbow Five." During the war the battalion took part in combat operations during the attack on Pearl Harbor and at Vella Lavella. The battalion was decommissioned on 9 June 1945 before the end of the war.

The 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 5th Defense Battalion, its original mission was providing air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. Prior to World War II the battalion deployed to Iceland as part of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade in order to defend the neutral country from possible German attack. Following the Iceland deployment and a period of rest and refitting at home the battalion again deployed overseas to provide air defense for Funafuti in the Ellice Islands from September 1942 through February 1944. Also in 1942, two batteries from the 5th were dispatched to support operations on Tulagi during the Guadalcanal Campaign. These two batteries were later reorganized as part of the newly formed 14th Defense Battalion. The 5th Defense Battalion was re-designated as the 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in April 1944 and took part in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After the war the battalion returned to the United States where it was decommissioned in November 1945. Because the 14th Defense Battalion was formed from batteries belonging to the 5th Defense Battalion the two units retained close ties throughout the war. The 14th was nicknamed "Five:Fourteenth" and after the war the battalions formed a single alumni association.

The 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 7th Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. It was one of first five defense battalions deployed in support of the color-coded war plans that called for the defense of Hawaii and other outlying United States possessions in the Pacific Ocean. These five battalions were nicknamed the "Rainbow Five." During the war the battalion defended Tutuila, Upolu, Savai'i and Nanumea and took part in combat operations at Anguar. The 7th was decommissioned before the end of World War II on 2 August 1945.

The 10th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 10th Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion took part in combat operations in the Russell Islands and at the Eniwetok. The battalion's tank platoon also saw extensive action on New Georgia and Arundel Island. The battalion was decommissioned before the end of the war on 25 November 1944.

The 11th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 11th Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended took part in combat operations in the Solomon Islands. The battalion's tank platoon also saw extensive action on New Georgia and Arundel Island. The battalion was decommissioned before the end of the war on December 15, 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">17th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion</span> Military unit

The 17th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1942 as the 2d Airdrome Battalion and has the distinction of being the last defense battalion formed in the Marine Corps during the war. Its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion spent significant time defending Nukufetau and took part in combat operations at Tarawa and Tinian. The battalion was decommissioned on December 6, 1945.

The 14th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1943 as the 14th Defense Battalion. Its mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion took part in combat operations in the Solomon Islands and on Guam. The battalion was decommissioned on June 30, 1945. Since then no other unit has carried the lineage and honors of the 14th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite)</span> Military unit

The 3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite) (3d AAA Bn (Composite)) was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1943 as the 52d Defense Battalion, one of the first African American units in the Marine Corps. Its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion served as garrison forces on Roi-Namur, Majuro, and Guam. The battalion returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after the war. It was the last of the defense battalions before it was re-designated as the 3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in May 1946. The battalion was decommissioned on May 15, 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">51st Defense Battalion</span> World War II American coastal defense unit

The 51st Defense Battalion was an antiaircraft and coastal defense unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in August 1942 and was the first African American unit in the Marine Corps. Its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion served in the Ellice and Marshall Islands, in the Pacific Theater. The 51st returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after the war and was decommissioned on January 31, 1946. To date, no other Marine Corps battalion has carried the lineage and honors of the 51st Defense Battalion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Provisional Antiaircraft Artillery Group</span> Military unit

The 1st Provisional Antiaircraft Artillery Group was a provisional unit that served as the headquarters for all United States Marine Corps antiaircraft battalions that participated in the Battle of Okinawa. The group was formed on Kauai, Territory of Hawaii in November 1944 under the command of the III Marine Amphibious Corps. For the Battle of Okinawa, the group was under the command of the 53d Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade of the Tenth United States Army and was responsible for air defense of the area surrounding Yontan & Kadena Airfields. Following the end of the war, the group returned to the United States and was decommissioned on December 5, 1945. To date, no other Marine Corps unit has carried the group's lineage and honors

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Rottman 2002, pp. 216.
  2. 1 2 Rottman 2002, pp. 217.
  3. 1 2 Melson 1996, pp. 32.
  4. 1 2 Rottman 2002, pp. 215.
  5. ↑ Heinl & Crown 1954, pp. 19–20.
  6. 1 2 3 Heinl & Crown 1954, pp. 109.
  7. ↑ Melson 1996, pp. 21.
  8. ↑ Heinl & Crown 1954, pp. 108.
  9. ↑ Rottman 2004, pp. 67.
  10. ↑ Sherrod 1952, pp. 231.
  11. ↑ Heinl & Crown 1954, pp. 170.
  12. ↑ Nalty 1995, pp. 18.
  13. ↑ Updegraph 1972, pp. 98.

Bibliography

Web

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.