War Diary

Appendix II

Arawe, New Britain, 15 December, 1943.
LCM crew of Co B, 592 EBSR continue their
drive to share under Jap air attack.

1942

20 June. 2d Engineer Amphibian Brigade, consisting of Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 592d Engineer Boat Regiment, 562d Engineer Company (Maintenance), 262d Medical Battalion, 162d Ordnance Platoon, 362d Quartermaster Battalion, and the 532d Engineer Shore Regiment, activated at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, per General Order #8, Headquarters, Engineer Amphibian Command.

2 July. 562d Engineer Company (Maintenance) redesignated the 562d Boat Maintenance Company per letter, WD File AG 320.2, dated 2 July 1942.

17 July. 287th Signal Company, Amphibian, activated and assigned to 2d Engineer Amphibian Brigade, per General Order #17, Headquarters, Engineer Amphibian Command, dated 17 July 1942.

6 August. Colonel William F. Heavey assumed command.

10 September. Colonel William F. Heavey promoted to Brigadier General.

17 September. Company B, 362d Quartermaster Battalion redesignated Company B, 362d Ordnance Battalion (Quartermaster), effective 1 August 1942, per General Order #47, Headquarters, Engineer Amphibian Command, dated 7 September 1942.

1 October. 592d Engineer Boat Regiment and 532d Engineer Shore Regiment redesignated the 592d and 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiments. 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiment activated and assigned to 2d Engineer Amphibian Brigade, per General Order #54, Headquarters, Engineer Amphibian Command, Dated 1 October.

15 October, 2d Engineer Amphibian Brigade, less the 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, moved by rail from Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, to Camp Carrabelle, Florida.

4 November. Company B, 362d Ordnance Battalion (Quartermaster) redesignated the 3498th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, (Quartermaster).

7 November. 2d Engineer Amphibian Brigade, less 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, moved by rail from Camp Carrabelle, Florida, to Fort Ord, California.

8 November. 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiment moved by rail from Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, to Fort Ord, California.

Jap Barges at Finchhafen destroyed by Van Hoy.

1943

24 January. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Company, and 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiment sailed from San Francisco Port of Embarkation for Australia.

28 January. 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiment sailed from San Francisco Port of Embarkation for Australia.

13 February. 162d Ordnance Platoon and 362d Quartermaster Battalion left San Francisco Port of Embarkation for Australia.

18 February, 592d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, 3499th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, and the 287th Signal Company left the San Francisco Port of Embarkation for Australia. 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiment arrived at Brisbane, Australia.

22 February. 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, 287th Signal Company, and the 3498th Medium Maintenance Company left Brisbane by rail for Rockhampton.

23 February. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Company, and the 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiment arrived at Townsville, Australia.

25 February. 262d Medical Battalion left the San Francisco Port of Embarkation for Australia.

4 March. 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiment left Brisbane by rail for Rockhampton, Australia.

8 March. 362d Quartermaster Battalion and the 162d Ordnance Platoon arrived at Brisbane, Australia.

11 March. 362d Quartermaster Battalion and 162d Ordnance Platoon left Brisbane for Rockhampton, Australia.

23 March. 262d Medical Battalion arrived at Brisbane, Australia.

29 March. 262d Medical Battalion left Brisbane by rail for Rockhampton, Australia.

10 May. Provisional Lighter Company, consisting of 10 officers and 86 enlisted men, organized and moved from Brisbane to Port Moresby, New Guinea. This company manned ten LCMs, first 2d ESB craft to reach New Guinea.

25 May. Beadsman Base Detachment organized with Lieutenant Colonel Keyes commanding.

28 May. Provisional Battalion, 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, was organized and moved to Milne Bay, New Guinea, under the command of Major Rising.

13 June. Provisional Battalion, 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, moved from Milne Bay, New Guinea, to Oro Bay, New Guinea.

14 June. Beadsman Base Detachment sailed from Cairns, Australia, for Samarai, New Guinea. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Engineer Special Brigade, 287th Signal Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 262d Medical Battalion, Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, and 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment moved by rail from Rockhampton to Cairns, Australia.

18 June. Provisional Battalion, 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, sustained severe bombing raid at Oro Bay, New Guinea; one enlisted man killed and 4 wounded, the brigade's first battle casualties.

30 June, Provisional Battalion, 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, consisting of Companies A and D, 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiment with attached medical troops landed elements of the 41st Infantry Division at Nassau Bay, New Guinea. 21 LCVS, 1 LCM were lost in surf.

1 July. 1 officer and 6 enlisted men killed in action and 8 enlisted men wounded in action at Nassau Bay, New Guinea.

4 July. 2d Engineer Amphibian Brigade redesignated the 2d Engineer Special Brigade; 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Company redesignated the 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Battalion; 162d Ordnance Platoon redesignated the 162d Ordnance Maintenance Company; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 362d Quartermaster Battalion, redesignated the Quartermaster Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Engineer Special Brigade; Company A, 362d Quartermaster Battalion, redesignated the 189th Quartermaster Gasoline Supply Company; Company C 362d Quartermaster Battalion, redesignated the 695th Quartermaster Truck Company; and the 3498th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company assigned to the Southwest Pacific Area and attached to the 2d Engineer Special Brigade. 592d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, 532d Engineer Amphibian Regiment, and 542d Engineer Amphibian Regiments redesignated the Engineer Boat and Shore Regiments. 2d Engineer Special Brigade Support Battery (Provisional activated at Oro Bay, New Guinea, under the command of Captain (then 1st Lt) Walter D. Beaver.

13 Jul),. 5204th Amphibian (Provisional) Truck organized with Captain Robert B. Sheldom Commanding.

20 July. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, less Companies A and D, moved by ship to Oro Bay, New Guinea, transshipped to LCMs and LCVS, and moved to Morobe, New Guinea. 532d Task Group landed on Coan Beach, Tambu Bay, New Guinea.

31 July., 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment and Company C, 262d Medical Battalion, left Rockhampton, Australia, for Oro Bay, New Guinea.

5 August. Quartermaster Headquarters and Headquarters, Company, 2d Engineer Special Brigade, 695th Quartermaster Truck Company, 189th Quartermaster Gas Company, left Rockhampton by rail for Cairns, Australia.

10 August. Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 262d Medical Battalion, left Cairns, Australia, for Oro Bay, New Guinea. Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, left Cairns, Australia, for Morobe, New Guinea.

I 1 August. Advanced Headquarters, 2d Engineer Special Brigade, left Cairns, Australia, by air for Oro Bay, New Guinea.

13 August. 532d Provisional Battalion relieved at Nassau Bay, New Guinea, and Tambu Bay, New Guinea, by Provisional Battalion, 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment.

14 August. 287th Signal Company and the 162d Ordnance Company left Cairns, Australia, for Oro Bay, New Guinea.

16 August. Beadsman Base Detachment inactivated.

1 September. Provisional Lighter Company inactivated.

4 September. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Salamaua, New Guinea.

11 September. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, landed elements of gth Australian Division at Lae, New Guinea.

22 September. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, plus Detachment Co B, 262d Medical Battalion, landed elements of the gth Australian Division at Finschhafen, New Guinea.

3 October. Elements of 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiments landed at Tami Island, New Guinea.

20 October. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, Rear Echelon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 2d ESB, Medical Detachment, 2d ESB, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and Company A, 262d Medical Battalion, Quartermaster Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d ESB, 695th Quartermaster Truck Company, 199th Quartermaster Gas Company, 3498th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, moved by water from Cairns, Australia, to Oro Bay, New Guinea.

25 October. 695th Quartermaster Truck Company relieved from attachment to 2d Engineer Special Brigade.

10 November. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment moved from Oro Bay, New Guinea, to Lae, New Guinea.

15 December. Elements of the 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment landed the 112th Cavalry Regiment at Arawe, New Britain.

26 December. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment landed troops from the 1st Cavalry Division at Tuali, New Britain, and Cape Gloucester, New Britain. Company D, 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment landed at Long Island, New Britain.

1944

2 January. Companies B and C and Shore Battalion of the 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment and Company C, 262d Medical Battalion made an initial landing at Saidor, New Guinea.

14 January. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made initial landing at Sio, New Guinea. 28 February. 592 made initial landing at Los Negros, Admiralty Island.

2 March. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made initial landings at Hyane Harbor, Papitalai, Lombrum Point, Manus Island, Haewei Island, Pitvilu Island, and Lorengau, Admiralty Islands.

5 March. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made initial landing at Yaleau Plantation, New Guinea.

6 March. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Talasea, New Britain.

8 March. Company B, 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, moved from Arawe, New Britain, to Oro Bay, New Guinea.

27 March. Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, moved from Oro Bay, New Guinea, to Cape Cretin, New Guinea.

5 April. Headquarters and Headquarters Company Medical Detachment, 2d Engineer Special Brigade, 287th Signal Company, 162d Ordnance Company, and Quartermaster Headquarters and Headquarters Company moved by water from Oro Bay, New Guinea, to Finschhafen, New Guinea.

22 April. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment and Company A, 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Battalion, made initial landing at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, Company C, 262d Medical Battalion, and Company B, 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Battalion, made initial landing at Tanahmerah Bay, Dutch New Guinea.

28 April. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made initial landing at Demata, Dutch New Guinea.

3 May. Company A, 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, made an initial landing at Wari, Dutch New Guinea.

4 May. Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Company B and C Engineer Boat Maintenance Battalion arrived at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea.

17 May. Elements of the 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment landed the 163d Infantry at Toem, Dutch New Guinea.

18 May. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Wakde Island, Dutch New Guinea.

26 May. Company A, 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Battalion redesignated 1458th Engineer Maintenance Company; Company B, 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Battalion, redesignated 1459th Engineer Maintenance Company; Company C, 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Company, redesignated 146otb Engineer Maintenance Company; and 2d Platoon, Company C, 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Battalion, redesignated 1762d Engineer Parts Supply Platoon.

27 May. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made initial landing at Bosnek, Biak Island, Schouten Islands.

29 May,. 2d Engineer Special Brigade Support Battery evacuated troops of the 162d Infantry Regiment under heavy fire.

2 June, 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made initial landing at Owi Island and Woendi Island, Dutch New Guinea.

3 June. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, plus Detachment 1459th Engineer Maintenance Company, made initial landing at Korim Bay, Biak, Dutch New Guinea.

7 June. 2d Engineer Special Brigade Support Battery landed two companies of 162d Infantry Regiment at Mokmer Airdrome, New Guinea.

2 July. 2d Engineer Special Brigade Support Battery made initial landing on Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea.

12 July. Shore Battalion of the 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment moved from Hollandia to Toem, Dutch New Guinea.

3 August. Elements of the 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made initial landing at Sawoeti, Biak, Dutch New Guinea.

17 August. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment landed troops of the 186th Infantry Regiment at Wardo, Biak Island, Dutch New Guinea.

24 August. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made initial landing at Soembiari Island, Dutch New Guinea.

13 September. 5204th Amphibian Truck Company (Provisional) inactivated.

20 October. 2d Engineer Special Brigade, less the 1459th Engineer Maintenance Company, Co B, 262d Medical Battalion and the 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, made an initial landing at Palo, San Jose, and Liloan, Leyte, Philippine Islands.

22 October. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Catbalogan, Samar, Philippine Islands.

15 November. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Pinamopoan, Leyte, Philippine Islands.

18 November. Company A, 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, arrived at Red Beach, Leyte, Philippine Islands.

7 December. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Ormoc, Leyte, Philippine Islands.

15 December. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, with the 1st Platoon of the 1458th Engineer Maintenance Company, made an initial landing at San Jose, Mindoro, Philippine Islands.

21 December. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Apo Island, Mindoro, Philippine Islands.

25 December. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Palompon, Leyte, Philippine Islands.

2 ESB LCMs (592 EBSR) approaching Corregidor loaded with troops
of 38th Div 1st wave is just hitting the beach, 2d wave in smoke,
3d wave in center of picture.

1945

1 January, 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Bongabong, Mindoro, Philippine Islands.

3 January. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Buena Vista, Marindugue, Philippine Islands.

15 January. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Poro Island, Philippine Islands.

18 January. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Ponson Island, Philippine Islands.

29 January. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, with the 1460th Engineer Maintenance Company, made an initial landing at San Marcelino Luzon, Philippine Islands.

31 January. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Nasugbu, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

7 February. Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, 1459th Engineer Boat Maintenance Company, and the 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, less Company A, arrived at Tacloban. Leyte, Philippine Islands.

15 February. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Mariveles, Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

16 February. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Corregidor Island, Philippine Islands.

19 February. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Allen, Samar and Capul Island, Philippine Islands.

20 February. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Birl Island and Macarite Island, Philippine Islands.

28 February. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippine Islands.

1 March. 2d Engineer Special Brigade Support Battery reorganized into three platoons, one platoon being assigned to each Engineer Boat and Shore Regiments.

3 March. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Burias Island, Philippine Islands and Ticao Island, Philippine Islands.

7 March. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Reeliment made an initial landing at Lemery, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

12 March. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Romblon Island, Philippine Islands and on Simara Island, Philippine Islands.

16 Ilarch. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Batangas, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

18 March. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, plus Detachment Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, made an initial landing at Tigbauan, Panay, Philippine Islands, and Guimaras and Itow Islands, Philippine Islands.

21 March. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Inampulugan island, Philippine Islands. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Calapan and Tacligan, Mondoro, Philippine Islands.

26 March. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, plus a Detachment of the 262d Medical Battalion and a Detachment of the 1459th Engineer Maintenance Company, made an initial landing at Talisay, Cebu, Philippine Islands.

27 March. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiments made an initial landing on Caballo Island, Philippine Islands.

28 March. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, plus a Detachment of Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, made an initial landing on Mactan Island, Philippine Islands.

29 March. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, plus a detachment of Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, made an initial landing at Pulupandan, Negros, Philippine Islands.

1 April. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Legaspi, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

3 April. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Masbate, Masbate Island, Philippine Islands.

6 April, 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Bacon, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

7 April. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Lucena, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

9 April. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Busuanga Island, Philippine Islands.

11 April. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, with a detachment of Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, made an initial landing at Tagbilaran, Bohol Island, Philippine Islands. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Bataan Island, Philippine Islands.

12 April. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiments made an initial landing at CagrarLy, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

13 April. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Fort Drum (El Fraile Island), Philippine Islands.

14 April. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Lipata Point, Masabate Island, Philippine Islands. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Rapu Rapu Island, Philippine Islands.

15 April. 532d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Dimasalang, Masbate Island, Philippine Island.

16 April. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing on Carabao Island, Philippine Islands.

20 April. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, with a detachment of Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, and a detachment of 1459th Engineer Maintenance Company, made an initial landing at Danao, Cebu Island, Philippine Islands.

26 April. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, with a Detachment of Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, made an initial landing at Catmon, Cebu, Philippine Islands. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, with a Detachment of Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, made an initial landing at Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippine Islands.

27 April. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, with a Detachment of Company B, 262d Medical Battalion, and a Detachment of the 1459th Engineer Maintenance Company, made an initial landing at Sogod, Cebu Island, Philippine Islands. 592d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Pasacao, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

10 May. 542d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment made an initial landing at Macajalar Bay, Mindanao, Philippine Islands.

LCVPs and LCMs of 2 ESB land infantry on Panay Island PI