- I'm looking for any and all information about two Raiders who were killed on Guadalcanal. Each of these men won the Navy Cross.
The first is: Stanley D. Kops, who was a Platoon Sgt. with Co. C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion. He was killed 14 Sept 1942.
The second is: Jack Miller, who was a Lt. with Co. A HQ, in the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. He was killed on 3 Dec 1942. What I've been able to piece together is that Col. Carlson's 2nd Battalion, went into the jungle in pursuit of Japanese Col. Shoji's 230th Infantry Regiment. Shoji had broken out of an encirclement with about 3,000 troops. The 2nd went after him and Shoji was only able to rejoin the 17th Army with about 700 to 800 exhausted men. Carlson reported, on 4 Dec, that he had killed 488 Japanese and had lost 16 killed and 18 wounded.
I understand that Lt. Miller's body was never recovered and may still be buried in the Guadalcanal jungle.
Can anyone help me with any information about these two Navy Cross winners? Please contact me at lee8301@aol.com. Many thanks. Lee Salomon |