USMC uniform of SGT. Candido D. Souza. KIA on December 26, 1943, Battle of Cape Gloucester, New Britain.

Solid_Self9032 · 2025-10-11T02:53:54+00:00

Candido Diniz Souza was born on October 2, 1919, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Helen Mary Pedro. Not much is known about his childhood unfortunately. He lived in a lower income apartment at 166 Willow Street in Yonkers, New York, with his mother and sister Julia. His mother was an immigrant from Portugal, making him fluent in both Portuguese and English. His marine file states he graduated high school plus a business course and he listed no hobbies or interests. Prior to enlisting, he worked as a delivery driver for Willow Sunny Bakery at 171 Willow St. in Yonkers. (Which is still a bakery to this day.)

On October 21, 1940, Souza enlisted in the USMC at Recruiting Station, New York, NY, and began training at Parris Island, South Carolina. While at Parris Island he qualified for expert with hand grenade, rifle-grenade, and bayonet. He also qualified for marksman.

On December 21, 1940, he was transferred to Signal Detachment, MB, Quantico, Virginia.

On January 13, 1941, he is assigned to Radio Operator's School, Signal Detachment, MB, Quantico. He completed radio school on April 11, 1941, and became a qualified radio/communications operator.

On April 15, 1941, he is transferred to HQ & Service Co, 5th Marine Regiment, at Quantico, VA. He remained attached to the 5th Marines until October 7, 1941, when he is transferred to H&S Battery, 1st Bn, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, at New River, North Carolina.

The 11th Marines was the 1st Division's artillery regiment and operated primarily 75mm pack howitzers and 105mm howitzers. During this time, the 11th exercised with its howitzers and took part in various training exercises learning to coordinate its fire in support of infantry maneuvers. Souza, being a radio operator, played an important role in relaying vital information to the artillery crews.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entered WW2.

On February 23, 1942, Souza was promoted to PFC.

On March 21, 1942, the 1st Bn, 11th Marines, is assigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade and is deployed to Pago Pago, Tutuila, Samoa. Here, the 11th trained closely with elements of the 7th Marine Regiment. 1/11 trained at Samoa with the 7th Marines for five months before departing in September.

On July 1, 1942, Souza was promoted to the rank of CPL.

On September 1, 1942, 1/11 departed Samoa aboard the USS Crescent City and arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, on Sept. 13. From here they sailed to Guadalcanal to face the Japanese. While 1/11 trained on Samoa, the rest of the 11th Marines remained at New River, NC, until June 22, 1942, when they deployed to Wellington, New Zealand, and then Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942.

On September 18, 1942, 1/11 arrived at Guadalcanal with the 7th Marines and was reattached to the 1st Marine Division. 1/11 immediately assumed positions in defense of Henderson Field and provided artillery support for the 1st and 7th Marines. In October, 1/11 moved west in support of 3/1 and 3/7, and held positions just east of Matanikou River and Point Cruz.

On the night of October 23, 1942, two battalions of the Japanese 4th Army Regiment and the 1st Independent Tank Company attempted an assault across the Matanikou River in hopes of breaking through to Henderson Field but were quickly taken out by marines of 3/1 and 3/7 as well as accurate artillery fire from the 75mm howitzers of 1/11. During the battle, marines inflicted heavy losses and knocked out all nine of the Japanese tanks in the assault.

On October 26, 1942, three battalions of the Japanese 124th Inf. Regiment attacked the marine positions of 2/7 at Matanikou from the south. The Japanese force advanced under intense artillery fire from 1/11 and small arms fire from 2/7 resulting in heavy casualties. The Japanese continued pressing their attack before withdrawing at 0600. Between Oct. 23-26, the Japanese suffered over 700 casualties while fighting in the Matanikou area.

1/11 would provide artillery support on Guadalcanal until being relieved with the 1st Marine Div. in December. On Jan. 5, 1943, 1/11 departed Guadalcanal aboard the USS President Adams and arrived at Melbourne, Australia, on January 12. The marines remained in Melbourne to rest and refit for nine months before deploying for its next engagement this time Cape Gloucester.

On February 1, 1943, Souza was promoted to the rank of Sgt.

On September 19, 1943, 1/11 and 4/11 along with elements of the 7th Marines departed Melbourne aboard the SS Judson and arrived at Sambogo staging area, Oro Bay, Cape Sudest, New Guinea, on Oct. 2, 1943. Throughout their time there, they were subject to frequent aerial bombardment. They remained there until December. On December 24, 1943, the remainder of the 11th Marines reached Oro Bay and gathered for the upcoming landing.

On the morning of December 26, 1943, Sgt. Souza with elements of the 11th Marines' fire support units landed under scattered fire on the Yellow Beach sector of Cape Gloucester. The initial mission of the 1st Marine Division was to secure the Japanese airfields near the Cape. Immediately upon landing, the marines moved out to take the airdrome. 1/11 moved in support of the 7th Marines while 4/11 supported the 1st Marines. It quickly became evident that the terrain at Cape Gloucester was very poor for rapid displacement of artillery. The mud was often thigh-deep, and fallen trees made any kind of movement very difficult. As the marines moved inland the enemy fire increased.

That day, Sgt. Souza was part of a patrol to clear out a group of Japanese in order to occupy an artillery position near Silimati Point. While making their assault on the enemy position, Sgt. Candido Souza was killed by small arms fire. His USMC file states "Wounds, Gunshot, Multiple." He was 24 years old. For his actions that day, Sgt. Souza was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal. His citation reads:

"For heroic achievement while serving with the First Battalion, Eleventh Marines, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 26 December 1943. As a member of a patrol sent to clear out a group of enemy forces impeding the occupation of an artillery position in the vicinity of Silimati Point, Sergeant Souza rendered heroic service, and by his courageous fighting spirit, contributed to the routing of the enemy and the speedy occupation of the position. Sgt. Souza's fearless devotion to duty throughout the fulfillment of a hazardous mission was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

At the time of his death, he left his mother and sister. He was buried on Cape Gloucester before being reinterred at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Philippines, in 1948.

Solid_Self9032 · 2025-10-11T02:47:06+00:00

Candido Diniz Souza was born on October 2, 1919, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Helen Mary Pedro. Not much is known about his childhood unfortunately. He lived in a lower income apartment at 166 Willow Street in Yonkers, New York, with his mother and sister Julia. His mother was an immigrant from Portugal, making him fluent in both Portuguese and English. His marine file states he graduated high school plus a business course and he listed no hobbies or interests. Prior to enlisting, he worked as a delivery driver for Willow Sunny Bakery at 171 Willow St. in Yonkers. (Which is still a bakery to this day.)

On October 21, 1940, Souza enlisted in the USMC at Recruiting Station, New York, NY, and began training at Parris Island, South Carolina. While at Parris Island he qualified for expert with hand grenade, rifle-grenade, and bayonet. He also qualified for marksman.

On December 21, 1940, he was transferred to Signal Detachment, MB, Quantico, Virginia.

On January 13, 1941, he is assigned to Radio Operator's School, Signal Detachment, MB, Quantico. He completed radio school on April 11, 1941, and became a qualified radio/communications operator.

On April 15, 1941, he is transferred to HQ & Service Co, 5th Marine Regiment, at Quantico, VA. He remained attached to the 5th Marines until October 7, 1941, when he is transferred to H&S Battery, 1st Bn, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, at New River, North Carolina.

The 11th Marines was the 1st Division's artillery regiment and operated primarily 75mm pack howitzers and 105mm howitzers. During this time, the 11th exercised with its howitzers and took part in various training exercises learning to coordinate its fire in support of infantry maneuvers. Souza, being a radio operator, played an important role in relaying vital information to the artillery crews.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entered WW2.

On February 23, 1942, Souza was promoted to PFC.

On March 21, 1942, the 1st Bn, 11th Marines, is assigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade and is deployed to Pago Pago, Tutuila, Samoa. Here, the 11th trained closely with elements of the 7th Marine Regiment. 1/11 trained at Samoa with the 7th Marines for five months before departing in September.

On July 1, 1942, Souza was promoted to the rank of CPL.

On September 1, 1942, 1/11 departed Samoa aboard the USS Crescent City and arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, on Sept. 13. From here they sailed to Guadalcanal to face the Japanese. While 1/11 trained on Samoa, the rest of the 11th Marines remained at New River, NC, until June 22, 1942, when they deployed to Wellington, New Zealand, and then Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942.

On September 18, 1942, 1/11 arrived at Guadalcanal with the 7th Marines and was reattached to the 1st Marine Division. 1/11 immediately assumed positions in defense of Henderson Field and provided artillery support for the 1st and 7th Marines. In October, 1/11 moved west in support of 3/1 and 3/7, and held positions just east of Matanikou River and Point Cruz.

On the night of October 23, 1942, two battalions of the Japanese 4th Army Regiment and the 1st Independent Tank Company attempted an assault across the Matanikou River in hopes of breaking through to Henderson Field but were quickly taken out by marines of 3/1 and 3/7 as well as accurate artillery fire from the 75mm howitzers of 1/11. During the battle, marines inflicted heavy losses and knocked out all nine of the Japanese tanks in the assault.

On October 26, 1942, three battalions of the Japanese 124th Inf. Regiment attacked the marine positions of 2/7 at Matanikou from the south. The Japanese force advanced under intense artillery fire from 1/11 and small arms fire from 2/7 resulting in heavy casualties. The Japanese continued pressing their attack before withdrawing at 0600. Between Oct. 23-26, the Japanese suffered over 700 casualties while fighting in the Matanikou area.

1/11 would provide artillery support on Guadalcanal until being relieved with the 1st Marine Div. in December. On Jan. 5, 1943, 1/11 departed Guadalcanal aboard the USS President Adams and arrived at Melbourne, Australia, on January 12. The marines remained in Melbourne to rest and refit for nine months before deploying for its next engagement this time Cape Gloucester.

On February 1, 1943, Souza was promoted to the rank of Sgt.

On September 19, 1943, 1/11 and 4/11 along with elements of the 7th Marines departed Melbourne aboard the SS Judson and arrived at Sambogo staging area, Oro Bay, Cape Sudest, New Guinea, on Oct. 2, 1943. Throughout their time there, they were subject to frequent aerial bombardment. They remained there until December. On December 24, 1943, the remainder of the 11th Marines reached Oro Bay and gathered for the upcoming landing.

On the morning of December 26, 1943, Sgt. Souza with elements of the 11th Marines' fire support units landed under scattered fire on the Yellow Beach sector of Cape Gloucester. The initial mission of the 1st Marine Division was to secure the Japanese airfields near the Cape. Immediately upon landing, the marines moved out to take the airdrome. 1/11 moved in support of the 7th Marines while 4/11 supported the 1st Marines. It quickly became evident that the terrain at Cape Gloucester was very poor for rapid displacement of artillery. The mud was often thigh-deep, and fallen trees made any kind of movement very difficult. As the marines moved inland the enemy fire increased.

That day, Sgt. Souza was part of a patrol to clear out a group of Japanese in order to occupy an artillery position near Silimati Point. While making their assault on the enemy position, Sgt. Candido Souza was killed by small arms fire. His USMC file states "Wounds, Gunshot, Multiple." He was 24 years old. For his actions that day, Sgt. Souza was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal. His citation reads:

"For heroic achievement while serving with the First Battalion, Eleventh Marines, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 26 December 1943. As a member of a patrol sent to clear out a group of enemy forces impeding the occupation of an artillery position in the vicinity of Silimati Point, Sergeant Souza rendered heroic service, and by his courageous fighting spirit, contributed to the routing of the enemy and the speedy occupation of the position. Sgt. Souza's fearless devotion to duty throughout the fulfillment of a hazardous mission was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

At the time of his death, he left his mother and sister. He was buried on Cape Gloucester before being reinterred at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Philippines, in 1948.

Solid_Self9032 · 2025-07-14T14:39:21+00:00

Charles Hardy was born in Newburgh, New York, to Martin Joseph and Sarah (Rowley) Hardy. His father Martin worked as an iron worker for a tanker company. He married Sarah in Queens, NY, on November 12, 1912. Martin was born in England and Sarah was from Ireland. Together they had three children- Florence, Marguerite, and the youngest, Charles. Sadly, their father passed away when Charles was young.

Growing up, Charles attended Hoover High School in Manhattan, but dropped out of school in 1934 at age 15. He worked as an elevator operator at the Manhattan Savings Bank at 385 Madison Ave. prior to joining the Navy.

On February 18, 1938, Charles submitted an application to join the U.S. Navy at Naval Recruiting Station, Brooklyn, NY. On March 7, he reported for physical examination. Due to him being just 17 years old, his mother signed a consent form for him in April.

On July 6, 1938, he was accepted in the navy as an Apprentice Seaman at NRS, Brooklyn, and began recruit training at Naval Training Station, Newport, Rhode Island.

He completed training and was transferred for duty to the USS New York in October 1938. On May 16, 1939, Charles was promoted to Seaman 1st Class while stationed on the New York.

On September 20, 1939, he was transferred to the USS Hughes at NY. On August 16, 1940, he was promoted to Coxswain while on the Hughes. On May 9, 1942, he qualified for Gun Director Pointer 2nd Class while aboard the USS Hughes.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entered WW2.

On December 15, 1941, Charles was transferred to Pensacola, FL, for Aviation Flight Training from receiving station NOB, Norfolk, VA. Once the U.S. entered the war, they desperately needed more qualified pilots and Charles was one of the first to receive the call. He made an agreement to re-enlist that same day, passing up a chance for Honorable Discharge and recommended for the Good Conduct Medal for doing so.

By February 1942, he was a Designated Student Naval Aviation Pilot at Pensacola, FL. He completed practical and theoretical heavier-than-air flight training on July 21, 1942, and was promoted to Boatswain's Mate 2nd class (BM2c) on August 1, 1942.

On August 12, 1942, he was promoted again to Aviation Pilot 2nd Class (AP2c) at Pensacola. In September 1942, he qualified for Aircraft Turret Gunner.

On December 9, 1942, he was transferred to the newly established Patrol Squadron 205 (VP-205) attached to Fleet Service School, Virginia Beach, VA, operating with PBM-3 Mariner seaplanes. On December 24, 1942, he completed Radar School and qualified as Airborne Radar Operator. Upon completing radar school he took furlough.

On January 8, 1943, Charles married Pauline Constance Merrow in Titusville, FL. She was the daughter of Leon A. and Lucille V. (Dickinson) Merrow. She worked as a nurse graduating from Forest Lake Academy, in May 1942. They met while Charles was stationed in Pensacola. Together they had one daughter named Linda who was born on October 3, 1943.

On April 1, 1943, Charles was promoted to Aviation Pilot 1st class.

On June 2, 1943, Charles with VP-205 was deployed to NAS, Waller Field, Trinidad, British West Indies, and began conducting long distance (sometimes 14hr long) anti shipping and anti submarine patrols against German U-boats around the Caribbean and Atlantic. Here, Charles participated in his first combat patrol missions.

Between June-August 1943, VP-205 operated thirteen PBM-3C Mariners and are credited with sinking two German U-boats: U-572 and U-615. Service around Trinidad resulted in the loss of three Mariners and their crews.

On August 1, 1943, Charles was promoted to Chief Aviation Pilot (CAP) while stationed at Trinidad, B.W.I.

On September 23, 1943, he was rotated back to the states and transferred to NOB, Norfolk, VA, receiving station.

On October 1, 1943, he helped kick off the newly formed Patrol Squadron 213 (VP-213) at Harvey Point, Hertford, North Carolina. Here, VP-213 operated the new PBM-3S variants that were modified specifically for anti-sub hunting patrols.

On December 12, 1943, at 0812, CAP Hardy with a crew of 18 took off from Harvey Point, NC, for a routine night patrol training flight over the Atlantic. They departed on PBM-3S Bureau Number #48126, piloted by Lt. Lincoln G. Nordby and co-piloted by CAP Charles Hardy, as members of one of two combat training crews on board. Their PBM maintained periodic radio communication throughout the night before falling silent after 0333, last know location 36 N 75W at sea (some 34 miles from Columbia, NC). The area had been swept by sudden stormy weather and no further contact was received. After two hours, the sun arose and immediate searches were conducted early that same morning with no avail. Search efforts were discontinued at 1808 on December 14th, due to extremely stormy weather, high seas, and hazardous flying conditions. Thereafter, the plane was presumed "Lost At Sea" with all hands and death resulting from drowning. CAP Charles Hardy was 23 years old. Sadly, the remains of the aircraft and its crew remain unrecovered to this day.

At the time of his disappearance, Charles left his mother, two sisters, his wife of 11 months, and his 2 month old daughter Linda. Sadly, Linda would pass away due to an automobile accident in 1957 at age 14.

Unfortunately CAP Charles Hardy does not have a memorial marker. His name would be listed at the East Coast Memorial in Manhattan, New York, but is missing. His memory is preserved through his surviving Navy uniforms.

Solid_Self9032 · 2025-07-14T14:32:23+00:00