Bureau Of Public Relations
Press Branch
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SIS Release B-43
Material provided by Barb Deis. This was her Uncle, Edward Koehl. From WWII.
This is a salute to ALL our Veterans! Thank you for your service today and every day to protect our freedom.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Bougainville Campaign 1943-45, part of the Solomon Islands campaign of the Pacific Theater during World War II. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainville_campaign
Five enlisted men of the 37th Infantry Division, members of a combat patrol, which went out looking for a fight on Bougainville and found it, have been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, posthumously, for their gallantry in action, it was revealed today.
Their patrol in many ways illustrated the way the Infantry fights in the jungle against its wily, dangerous foe. A great deal of jungle fighting is exactly what this patrol experienced—a feeling out process, seeking the enemy and beating him reconnoitering to establish his position and strength – All this without artillery, armored, or air support, depending entirely on wit, skill, steady nerves and quick trigger fingers.
The five who won decorations are: Corporal Ollie A. Przybylski, of Toledo, Ohio, who was killed in the action; Privates First Class Edward M Koehl, of 201 North Spruce Street, St. Marys, Ohio; Fred L. Bowers, of R.F.D. 1, St. Marys, Ohio; William B. Russell, of R.F. D. 1, East Lynn, West Virginia; Private Lyman O. Sheely, of R.F.D.1, Liberty Center, Ohio.
These men were members of a patrol which, on December 13, 1943, pushed out beyond the American perimeter reconnoiter and determine the strength and location of any enemy it found. The Bougainville jungle was a tropical wilderness in which visibility was limited to a few feet. As soon as the patrol left a trail by which it had proceeded for a short distance, scouts moved out slowly and cautiously. About a mile out beyond our outposts, the scouts located a group of Japanese only 30 feet away.
Because of the alertness of the scouts, the patrol had a split second advantage in opening fire. That is all a good Infantryman needs. Surprised, the enemy dropped behind a three foot ridge and with this protection began firing at the Americans.
That is, all but one of the Japs began firing. One was dead, having been killed in the first burst of Yank lead.
With their patrol leader, four of the patrol—Koehl, Bowers, Russell and Sheely – deployed in the tangled undergrowth, firing at any movement they saw. The remainder of the patrol spread to the flanks and the rear, forming a rough, perimeter, in accordance with tactics found best for combat in situations of like nature.
Two more of the enemy were killed as they attempted to move to the patrol’s left flank and a third was believe wounded.
Then followed a 10-minute lull in the shooting, each side posed and waiting for the other to make a move. The Yanks moved first, the patrol leader and two enlisted men crawled forward a few feet to the right of the enemy’s line to determine if the japs were still present. At the same time, Corporal Przybylski covered the other flank while this movement was in progress.
The three drew fire at once and started to draw back. At that moment the enemy opened fire on Corporal Przybylski and killed him, wounding another soldier in the main group also.
Having carried out their orders, and because of the lateness of the hour and the distance to be traveled in reaching the friendly territory, the patrol leader now ordered a return to the outpost position. Carrying the body of the slain corporal and assisting the wounded man, the patrol reached friendly lines and made its report thus completing a typical operation against the enemy.
The official citation reads;
“The calm courage of Corporal Przybylski and Privates Koehl, Bowers, Russell and Sheely, all of whom engaged the enemy without hesitation, remaining cool an aggressive under enemy fire, made possible the successful completion of the mission”
Corporal Przybylski was the son of Mrs. Hattie Przybylski, 1678 Avindale Avenue, Toledo.
Source: US War Department, Press Releases and Related Records 1942-1945
Edward Koehl was the brother of Barb Deis Dad. He lived in St. Marys, Ohio.
This information was supplied by Barb Deis.
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