Descendants of Bernard Joseph Howland

 

 

Generation No. 1

 

     1.  Bernard Joseph⁴ Howland  (Ralph Milton³, Henry², Clark¹) was born April 21, 1922 in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County IN, and died October 26, 1942 in Killed in Action on Guadacanal, US Marines, World War II, Pfc. 7 Regt, 1 Div USMC.

 

Notes for Bernard Joseph Howland:

The citation from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, that was issued in the name of the marine division under the command of Major General Alexander A. Vandergrift, reads as follows:

"The officers and enlisted men of the First Marine division reinforced, on August 7th to 9th, 1942, demonstrated outstanding gallantry and determination in successfully executed forced landing assaults against a number of strongly defended Japanese positions in Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, Florida and Guadalcanel, British Solomon Islands, completely routing all the enemy forces and seizing a most valuable base and airfield within the enemy zone of operations in the South Pacific ocean.  From the above period until December 9, 1942, this reinforced division not only held their important strategic positions despite determined and repeated Japanese naval, air and land attacks, but by a series of offensive operations against strong enemy resistance drove the Japanese from the proximity of the airfield and inflicted great losses on them by land and air attacks.  The courage and determination displayed in these operations were  of an inspiring order."

 

More About Bernard Joseph Howland:

Baptism: April 30, 1922, St. Monica's Catholic Church, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County IN

Burial: March 04, 1948, Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County IN, Section 4, Row 5, Grave #18

Fact 1: He was the first Mishawaka member of the armed forces killed in World War II

Fact 2: November 21, 1942, His parents were notified by telegram from the War Department that he had been killed in action.  He had enlisted in the Marines on 1-7-1942, just weeks after the war began. On November 10th had received a letter from him saying in was in Guadacanal

Fact 3: On August 2, 1943 his parents were presented with his Purple Heart Certificate by Col. John Dixon of the US Marines, with the engraved  Purple Heart Medal to arrive about 2 months later.

Fact 4: With the presentation of the Certificate, a citation was presented to his parents from Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox.  It was issued in the name of the marine division under the command of Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift.

Fact 5: His body was returned to his parents on 3-2-1948 by the US Government as they chose to bury him in Mishawaka, rather than in Arlington National Cemetery to which he was entitled.  He was buried in the family plot next to where they were later interrned.

Fact 6: March 04, 1948, Memorial Mass at St. Monica's Catholic Church, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County IN.  Members of the VFW and the American Legion conducted full military burial at the gravesite.

Fact 7: In 1920 census lived at home with his parents

Final Services: November 24, 1942, Requiem High Mass at St. Monica's Catholic Church, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County IN

Obituary: November 21, 1942, South Bend Tribune, also appeared 11-24-1942, 8-2-1943 & 3-12-1948

Residence: 109 N. Towle Street, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County IN

Social Security Number: None