Peleliu: USMC WWII Combat
August - September 1944

Sergeant Patrick L. Finelli, USMC
MAG-45 to III Amphibious Corps; Demolition Support
UDT-6 pre-invasion beach recon (Sept. 1-16) (in the water Sept. 12-15)
"A" Co., 1^st Pioneers; 3^rd Bn, 1^st Marines, "K" Co. (Sept. 16-21)
"C" Co., 1^st Pioneers; 2^nd Bn, 7^th Marines, "K" Co. (Sept. 21-26)

This site is a tribute to my father, a USMC World War II veteran who served at Peleliu, Yap and Ulithi in perilous combat and kept a wartime journal.   It is dedicated to the "greatest generation," out of respect for my father and others who fought this courageous battle.  Our website was created and is maintained by his son and family, thanks to the urging of my sister who encouraged us to document our father's Marine Corps experience, with the help of my brother who has transcribed my father's personal war chronology, and my mother, who has provided incredible support to us, and helped him to negotiate the rugged shoals of painful recollection and distant memory.  Dad spent his entire professional career as a mechanical engineer, leading the development of major innovations and products.  He holds many patents for his inventions, producing an outstanding legacy together with the best engineering minds of the 20th century.   My father and mother were married in 1948, and are devoted to four adult children (with four undergraduate and six graduate degrees), and three talented granddaughters. 

Links to USMC Sergeant P. L. Finelli's wartime activities, transcribed from his personal diaries, war journals, official records, documents and other pages within this site: 

                        Parade Marshal, WWII vet, a quiet hero (Sudbury Town Crier, May 22, 2008)

                        Honoring vets runs in the family (Sudbury Town Crier, May 22, 2008)

                        Son's Visit (March 2004)

                        Complete Chronology of WWII Service in the USMC

                        Narrative Summary (Debris of War)

                        Photo Gallery (1943-1949)

                        UDT Training at Eniwetok

                        UDT-2 Deployment on Kwajalein and Eniwetok (First UDT action of WWII)

                        Interview with Everett Pope (8-4-02)

                        Interview with Swede Hanson (8-25-05)

                        Syllabus for UDT courses taught by OSS at Eniwetok

                        Pavuvu Bob Hope Show (30-second video clip from NBC special, copyright permission pending.)

                        Presidential Unit Citation - 1st Marine Division - Peleliu and Ngesebus

                        Explanation of Japanese Defense Plan for Chichi Jima (12-23-45)

                        UDT-SEAL Museum Dedication Photographs (1985)

Underwater Team Histories:

• Underwater Demolition Teams (1942-1945)

• UDT Team-6

• UDT Team-6 at Peleliu (excerpts from Blassingame)

• Underwater Demolition Teams