HomeMy WebLinkAboutRisinger Family in WWII
In 1941, news by today's standards, was limited and travel was not the norm.
So when the radio announced Pearl Harbor's bombing, very few people knew
where or what it was. But when President Roosevelt officially declared war
against Japan on December 8, 1941 the people responded.
Seven Risinger brothers and their brother-in-law were among those.
Jimmy, a newspaper man, served in the USAF-dates unknown. Stationed in
Puerto Rico.
Noble, a carpenter, was a private in the Army, joining June 4, 1944. He was
discharged due to disability. He had polio as a child and his feet were
crippled to an extent. He served as a fireman at Moore Field, AF training
base at Mission, Texas after his discharge.
Jodie was a welder in civilian life. He joined the Sea Bees, Nov 16, 1943 and
served in the Pacific theatre until his discharge Dec 14, 1945. Rank Mc3.
Frank Guioco, Marines
Quotes from his son, Sam: "My dad was a sergeant in the Marines. He served
on the Island of Guam after we had defeated most of the Japanese on that
island. Since he was a butcher and cook in civilian life, they made him a
butcher and cook in the Marines: He said there were still a lot of Japanese
soldiers left behind in Guam when the Japs took off. These Japs were hiding
in the jungle and they were starving. He told me he never killed one but he
shot over their heads many times to stop them from stealing pigs, sheep and
cattle from the Marines. They fed the ones who would finally surrender."
Grover, a carpenter, served in the Marines from May 29, 1942 to May 28, 1946
with rank of Corporal. His son, Barry said: "From August 1942 to December,
1943 he was in Sitka, Alaska. He arrived at Okinawa Jima June 3, 1945.
Participated in the occupation and defense of Okinawa June 3, 1945 to March 2,
1946. He served 3 years and 6 days. Dad received the Good Conduct Medal May
28, 1945."
Kennith, senor in high school, Navy, Yeoman 2nd, joined Dec 16, 1941,
Pacific, and served for some time after the war
Harvey, senor in high school, Navy, Radar man 2nd, joined Dec 16, 9141,
Pacific, discharged Sept 15, 1945
Harvey and Kennith went to boot camp in San Diego and boarded the USS
Bagley DD 386-destroyer on Feb 4, 1942. They served 3 years aboard. The
Bagley was at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7 and shot down 5 enemy torpedo bombers
and assisted in the kill of another.
Among the battles the two brothers participated in were Guadalcanal, Tulagi,
Savo Island Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa, Formosa, Iwo Jima and Nagasake. The
Surrender of Marcos Island was on the forecastle of the Bagley.
They came home to Texas on leave in June, ~944 when Kennith married Veda,
my best friend since the 5th grade. I was in Ventura, California with them on VJ
Day. Harvey returned stateside in October-discharged on the point system He
had served a minority cruise. We were married in Ventura October 28, 1945.
Robert was a career marine.
His son Del wrote: Major Robert Oscar Risinger joined the Marine Corps in 1942,
but could not be sent into active combat until he turned 18(he lied about his age
to get in). He saw action in Tinian, Tarawa and Saipan, serving with distinction
and suffering no serious injury. It is unclear to me whether his rise to the
rank of sergeant was a battlefield promotion or occurred stateside. He was
stationed at Little Rock at the recruiting office. He signed up for OCS in
Quantico, VA. He was called up for the Korean conflict and went with the
Fifth Basic bearing the rank of Captain. He returned from Korea with two
Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, a Letter of Commendation and the rank of
Major. The Fifth was heavily involved at Chosin Reservoir. He was stricken
with cancer and died June 14, 1961. Although I was too young to know and
appreciate my father, his legacy of honor, duty and courage have been an
inspiration to me all my life. Thank you for letting me look at his achievements
again. His dress sword and medals hang over this computer, and I have looked
at them differently as I typed. I should not be sad he died, but proud that he
lived at all. As should the world."
All seven of the brothers and their brother-in-law miraculously survived
WWII and except for Robert, lived many more productive years.
Colleen Risinger (Mrs. Harvey Risinger)
Gallery Talk
Texas in WWII
George Bush Presidential Library & Museum
Sept. 3, 2005
.
JAMES EDWARD-ARMY AIR cORPS-
STATIONED IN PUERTO RICO
- ."::'':-
G
r.-
NOIILE FRANKLIN-US ARMY-PRIV ATE-
.JtJNE 5, 1944 'ro AIJ(. 9, 19L15-
DISCHARGED DUE TO DISABIUTY.
SERVED AS FIREMAN AT MOORE FIELD-
1)ILO'r TRAININ(. IIASE- IN MISSION,
TX AFfI~R DIS(~HARGE
,I
JODIE WILLLUI-USN (SEA IIEES)-M3C-
11-16-43 TO 12-14-45-PACIFIC
THEATRE
GROVER.RILEY-US MA,RINE CORP-
CORPORAL-MAY 29, 1942.TO MAY 28,
194G-AlASKA
KENNITH .JESSIE-USN, YEOMAN 2ND-
DEC16,1941 TO ?-PACIFIC THEATRE
ROIJER'r OSCAR-US MARINE CORP-
HA..JOR-JIJLY 1942 TO Dt:A'fn JIJNE
14, 1961-PACIFIC THEATRE, KOREA
HARVEY HENRY-USN, RADARMAN
2ND-DEC 16, 1941 TO SEP 15, 1945-
P A(~IFIC 'fnt:A'fRE
FRANK (.UIO(~U-IJS MARINE (~ORP-
DATES UNKNOWN-SERVE)) ON GUAM
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ENGRAVED BRACElET GIVEN TO
HARVEY BY COlLEEN: "TE OUIERO
MUCHO" AN)) "SEI)'fEMIJER I 6, 1945"
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P15/(09)
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
THIRD FLEET
Serial . 42
January 16, 1945
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Fr om:
To :
Via :
Commander THIRD Fleet.
Commanding Of_fJcer, U.S.S. BAGLEY.
_ _ _ Co.mman.der_:Q~_trQl'Slr SQuadron Sn_e
--~
SUbject:
Letters of Commendation, Award of.
Reference:
co USS BAGLEY eonf ltr, file P15, serial 053
dated 26-0ctober 1944, with endorsements thereto.
Com2ndCarTaskForPac cont serial 0726, dated
2 January 1945.
Five (5) Letters of Commendation with Commendatim
Ribbons.
1. Based on recommendations contained in references (a)
and (b), enclosure (A) is forward~d herewith for presentation by
you or your representative to the below listed officers and men
with my congratulations:
(a)
(b)
Enclosure:
(A)
~-.,..
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Lieut.(jg) Ernest Causey KIEHNE, C-V(G) USNR, (160583)
Lieut.(jg) John Pershing LA~CHAW, C-V(G~, USNR,(16l018)
WOODWARD, Peter, Jr., 27' 48 76, BM2c, USN
RISn~ GER, Harvey Henry, 360 53 36, RdM2o, USN 0
BUTORAC, Matt (n) 664 19 83, WT2c, USN .
., -... ..~bti 8:2Q~A--{H~B-;6I.!/ff~.,.4 ""a 1 ~~+. A~l. of' eDmm~nda~1p".
may be used by th b . am S8Cur1 y regulations,
for forwarding in e t~e o=i~~med recipients for press release and
3. By copy of this letter the Chiet of Naval Personnel is
requested to file copies of letters ot commendation in t
personnel concerned. he records of
W.F. HALSEY
Copy to:(less ribbons)
DuPers
CiaCPac
eSCTF Pac (less encl)
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360 53 36
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COMMANDER THIRD FLEET
The Commander, Third Fleet, United States Pacific Fleet,
takes pleasure in commending
HARVEY !!mRY RISINGER, RADARMAN SECOND CLASS
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the follovdng
CITATION:
"For outstanding service in the line of his
profession in action against the enemy while serv-
ing as radar operator of a destroyer during the
actions off Formosa and Okinawa 10-13 October 1944.
During this period his skillful operation of his
equipment under adverse conditions and his devotion
to duty contributed materially to the success of
the mission. His conduct was at all times in keep-
ing with the highest traditions of the United states
Naval Service."
- -()J:t. -J~ ~
w. F. HALSEY,
Admiral, U. S. Navy.
COMMENDATION RIBBON Authorized.
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Non-classified~--
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UNITED STATES NAVY
RATING DESCRIPTION
RADAR MAN, Second Class
ltABWl' R Il~.!Jfi!!eNjJ.2. 53 36
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S~ture or Certlr7n rCl11M1
Date or Issuance
NAVY DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL
NAVPERS 15190
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Harvey Henry RISINGER :~
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