Captain George P. Hunt, USMCR

Captain George P. Hunt, USMCR, veteran of the 1st Marine Division assaults on Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester (where he earned the Silver Star) and Peleliu (where he earned the Navy Cross). At Peleliu, a 26 year old Captain Hunt commanded K Company, 3rd Battalion, of the 1st Marine Regiment. His rifle company was composed of 235 Marines with 12 additional auxiliary troops. Capt. Hunt's company was to land in the first wave at the extreme left flank of Peleliu's "White Beach 1" to seize and defend a high coral promontory "Point" extending 15 yards into the sea. This position contained two 40mm anti-boat guns and six 25mm heavy machine guns each positioned to deliver enfilade fire down the landing beach. All were well camouflaged and supported by many light machine guns and snipers. A large anti-tank ditch with mortars and machine guns supported this defense system., For the dawn attack Hunt directed his left flank assault 3rd platoon and his reserve 1st platoon in the second wave to assault directly in, past the "Point" defenses, then turn and take these defenses from the rear and the flank. The 2nd platoon on the right flank was to directly attack the anti-tank ditch. All of these defenses were untouched despite three days of naval gunfire. By 10:00 AM on "D-Day" of Sept. 15, 1944 the 3rd and 2nd platoons, were now being commanded by buck sergeants, having sustained over 60% casualties. A Japanese counter-attack and mortar fire caused additional losses at the "Point". This split Hunt's command isolating the "Point". During this first night the Japanese attacked again. On the morning of the 16th, eighteen Marines remained on the "Point", including Capt. Hunt and Lt. Willis. Hunt's count exceeded 100 dead Japanese surrounding this two-acre coral fortress., At dawn, Japanese activity had started again, on the right adjacent to the anti-tank ditch, 1st Regiment Marine units were battling to break through to support K-Co. The 115-F degree heat with an equatorial sun directly over head was brutal and the "Point" was out of fresh water. By the late afternoon of D-2 the attacking Marine units broke through to the "Point" bringing weapons, ammunition, batteries for our radios and K-Co. men that had been separated during the landing and at the tank-ditch. Our wounded were taken out to the ships., Capt. Hunt with mortars and artillery support now available prepared his resupplied unit to fight the up-coming battle of the second night. At 10:00 PM the Japanese attack began directly into the center of our line. Without barbed wire all of the fighting was close, flares, machine guns, grenades, screams and flying coral. Then on our left flank in the out-going tide below the cliff, a flanking attack along the coral reef was initiated. In the dark Hunt shifted our mortar fire to hit below the cliff and as close as 30 yards to our line. A machine gun was set up in the ankle deep water firing against the attackers now trapped under the cliff. K-Co. with total losses involving 32 KIA and 125 wounded Marines. At dawn Capt. Hunt and 77 survivors were preparing to move against the enemy up the island. An additional 400 or more Japanese dead now covered the coral and floated on the incoming tide in the area of the "Point"., Capt. Hunt left the Marine Corp in 1946 and began his civilian life as a writer for Fortune Magazine. At this time his book on the battle of the "Point", "Coral Comes High" was published by Harper and Brothers. Later after the three months of wandering around the USA interviewing survivors of this battle, he wrote "Honorable Discharge" which was published by "Fortune" in Sept. 1947. George P. Hunt went on in the 1960's to the top of the publishing business as managing editor of "LIFE" magazine., Capt. Hunt was a leader of valor, cool under pressure, with personal courage, determination and respect for each of his men. Each of us who served under him at Peleliu knows, if ever a combat infantry officer deserved the Congressional Medal of Honor it would have been George P. Hunt. (died July 6, 1991), In lieu of this honor we of K-3-I who have survived these years dedicate this plaque to Capt. Hunt and all of our comrades who have gone before., Semper Fidelis.