The 262nd Medical Battalion of the 2nd Engineer Amphibian Brigade left San Francisco on 25 February 1943 and arrived in Brisbane on 23 March 1943. They boarded a train headed for Rockhampton in central Queensland on 29 March 1943.On 14 June 1943, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the 262nd Medical Battalion moved to Cairns in far north Queensland by train. On 31 July 1943, Company C of the 262nd Medical Battalion left Rockhampton by ship bound for Oro Bay in New Guinea.adquarters Detachment of the 262nd Medical Battalion moved to Cairns in far north Queensland by train. On 31 July 1943, Company C of the 262nd Medical Battalion left Rockhampton by ship bound for Oro Bay in New Guinea. Acknowledgement: https://www.ozatwar.com/usarmy/262ndmedicalbattalion.htm
The boys of Company B. L-R: Pete Apino, Curly Mullineaux, Bill Robare, and George Schaffer.
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BATTLE HONORS. 1. As authorized by Executive Order No. 9396 (sec. I, Bull. 22, WD, 1943), superseding Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. Ill, Bull. 11, WD, 1942), citation of the following unit in General Orders, No. 47, Headquarters 4lst Infantry Division, 27 July 1944, as approved by the Com- manding General, United States Army Forces in the Far East, is confirmed under the provisions of section IV, Circular No. 333, War Department, 1943, in the name of the President of the United States as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction. The citation reads as follows: Collecting Platoon, Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, is cited for outstand- ing performance of duty in action against the enemy. Following the landing in the vicinity of Humboldt Bay, Dutch New Guinea, circumstances forced the establishment of large supply dumps for the Task Force among numerous dumps of enemy ammunition, bombs, and food, found in the beachhead. For two days all supplies of the Task Force were landed in this area, resulting in gaso- line, ammunition, rations and bombs extending along a narrow beachhead for a distance of approximately H /2 miles. The Collecting Platoon, Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, had set up an aid station upon arrival at the beach in the center of the dump area. At about 2030 hours, 23 April 1944, an enemy bomber made a direct hit on one of the ammunition dumps. The explosion which followed set oflF fires which rapidly spread. Throughout the night and until about 1700 hours, 24 April 1944, continuous and terrific explosions and fires alternately shook and illuminated the beach. All supplies for a distance of approximately 1 mile were destroyed. Throughout the night of 23 April 1944 and until 1200 hours the following day the 2 officers and 44 men of this unit maintained their aid station. They moved continuously through the holo- caust of the burning dumps and tremendous explosions emitting great danger from fire, flying shrapnel, and concussion. Despite these conditions, litter squads returned again and again into the burning area to rescue their comrades while the remainder of the personnel applied first aid. More than two hundred men were treated and evacuated by the platoon. Many lives were saved by the effective aid they so efficiently provided. It was only after all casualties and personnel had been evacuated from the danger area that the platoon retired to a place of security. The heroism and determination of every man in this pla- toon, operating under the most hazardous and adverse conditions, exemplify the highest traditions of the military service.