Carl W. Weiss
Encyclopedia
Carl Walter Weiss was a United States Marine
during World War II
, who was killed in action during the Battle of Guadalcanal. For his distinguished actions on November 1–2, 1942, Sergeant Weiss was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
.
. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on December 18, 1939. After completing basic training at Parris Island
, South Carolina
, he served successively at Quantico
, Virginia
; and at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
; during the early part of 1940.
On March 1, 1940, he reported to Fort Mifflin
for duty which lasted for over a year. He returned to the base at Quantico briefly in June 1941 before going to sea in the transport McCawley (AP-10) at the end of the first week in July for a month's assignment. Promoted to Corporal while in that transport, Weiss returned ashore at Portsmouth, Virginia
, on August 14, 1941, and from there, moved on to duty at New River
, North Carolina
, in September. Weiss was promoted to Sergeant in March 1942, and by the following summer, had been assigned to the Pacific theater
in preparation for the Solomon Islands operation
.
During that campaign, Sgt. Weiss conducted himself with distinction. While serving with C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during a battle on November 1, 1942 with Japanese forces near Matanikau River
, Guadalcanal
, he charged an enemy machine gun
position and destroyed it with a hand grenade
. Returning to his own machine gun, Weiss directed his gunners in repulsing three fanatical bayonet
charges. When one of his men received a wound and fell forward of the emplacement, Sgt. Weiss "crawled forward and dragged his comrade to safety". The next day, he again inched forward over the crest of the hill toward another enemy machine gun. Though the position opened fire on him, he continued forward and lobbed a grenade at the offending weapon. He then attempted to toss another grenade to finish the job begun by the first but was felled, mortally wounded by enemy fire. For "his great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self sacrifice," Sgt. Weiss was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
.
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
Date of Action: November 1 & 2, 1942
Citation:
The Navy Cross is presented to Carl Walter Weiss, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanikau River in the Solomon Islands Area on November 1 and 2, 1942. Advancing in the face of persistent enemy machine gun and rifle fire, Sergeant Weiss, with grim determination and dauntless courage, neutralized an enemy machine gun nest with a grenade and returned to set up his own machine gun. As the infuriated Japanese charged up the hill with bayonets, Sergeant Weiss, directing the fire of his gunners, repulsed them three times, but during the last assault, one of his men was wounded and rolled forward of the gun. Under the punishing fire of the enemy, Sergeant Weiss crawled forward and dragged his comrade to safety. On the following day as Sergeant Weiss again inched his way over the nose of the hill to set up his gun, a hostile automatic weapon fired upon him, but he continued on and threw a hand grenade into the enemy position. As he attempted to throw a second grenade, he was hit and killed. His great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self-sacrifice were an inspiration to his comrades and contributed in a large measure to the success of this operation. He gallantly gave up his life in the defense of his country.
, (DE-378), a John C. Butler class destroyer escort
, was named in his honor. This ship was cancelled on June 5, 1944 before completion, and her materials were scrapped. Subsequently, the Crosley-class high speed transport USS Weiss
(APD-135) was named in his honor.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, who was killed in action during the Battle of Guadalcanal. For his distinguished actions on November 1–2, 1942, Sergeant Weiss was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
.
Biography
Carl Weiss was born in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on December 18, 1939. After completing basic training at Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, he served successively at Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
; and at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
; during the early part of 1940.
On March 1, 1940, he reported to Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin, originally called Fort Island Battery and also known as Mud Island Fort, was commissioned in 1771 and sits on Mud Island on the Delaware River below Philadelphia, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia International Airport...
for duty which lasted for over a year. He returned to the base at Quantico briefly in June 1941 before going to sea in the transport McCawley (AP-10) at the end of the first week in July for a month's assignment. Promoted to Corporal while in that transport, Weiss returned ashore at Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
, on August 14, 1941, and from there, moved on to duty at New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Marine Corps Air Station New River is a United States Marine Corps helicopter base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in the eastern part of the state. In 1972, the airfield was named McCutcheon Field for Brigadier General Keith B. McCutcheon, one of the fathers of Marine Corps helicopter aviation...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, in September. Weiss was promoted to Sergeant in March 1942, and by the following summer, had been assigned to the Pacific theater
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
in preparation for the Solomon Islands operation
Solomon Islands campaign
The Solomon Islands campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific War of World War II. The campaign began with Japanese landings and occupation of several areas in the British Solomon Islands and Bougainville, in the Territory of New Guinea, during the first six months of 1942...
.
During that campaign, Sgt. Weiss conducted himself with distinction. While serving with C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during a battle on November 1, 1942 with Japanese forces near Matanikau River
Matanikau River
The Matanikau River of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, is located in the northwest part of the island. During the World War II Guadalcanal campaign, several significant engagements occurred between United States and Japanese forces near the river.-References:...
, Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
, he charged an enemy machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
position and destroyed it with a hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
. Returning to his own machine gun, Weiss directed his gunners in repulsing three fanatical bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
charges. When one of his men received a wound and fell forward of the emplacement, Sgt. Weiss "crawled forward and dragged his comrade to safety". The next day, he again inched forward over the crest of the hill toward another enemy machine gun. Though the position opened fire on him, he continued forward and lobbed a grenade at the offending weapon. He then attempted to toss another grenade to finish the job begun by the first but was felled, mortally wounded by enemy fire. For "his great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self sacrifice," Sgt. Weiss was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
.
Navy Cross citation
WEISS, CARL WALTERSergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
Date of Action: November 1 & 2, 1942
Citation:
The Navy Cross is presented to Carl Walter Weiss, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanikau River in the Solomon Islands Area on November 1 and 2, 1942. Advancing in the face of persistent enemy machine gun and rifle fire, Sergeant Weiss, with grim determination and dauntless courage, neutralized an enemy machine gun nest with a grenade and returned to set up his own machine gun. As the infuriated Japanese charged up the hill with bayonets, Sergeant Weiss, directing the fire of his gunners, repulsed them three times, but during the last assault, one of his men was wounded and rolled forward of the gun. Under the punishing fire of the enemy, Sergeant Weiss crawled forward and dragged his comrade to safety. On the following day as Sergeant Weiss again inched his way over the nose of the hill to set up his gun, a hostile automatic weapon fired upon him, but he continued on and threw a hand grenade into the enemy position. As he attempted to throw a second grenade, he was hit and killed. His great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self-sacrifice were an inspiration to his comrades and contributed in a large measure to the success of this operation. He gallantly gave up his life in the defense of his country.
In memory
In 1944, USS WeissUSS Weiss (DE-378)
The first USS Weiss , was John C. Butler-class destroyer escort proposed for construction during World War II but never completed....
, (DE-378), a John C. Butler class destroyer escort
John C. Butler class destroyer escort
The John C. Butler class destroyer escort originated during World War II. The lead ship was the , commissioned on 31 March 1944. The class was also known as the WGT type from their Westinghouse Geared Turbine drive...
, was named in his honor. This ship was cancelled on June 5, 1944 before completion, and her materials were scrapped. Subsequently, the Crosley-class high speed transport USS Weiss
USS Weiss (APD-135)
The second USS Weiss was a , the second ship of the United States Navy to be assigned the name Weiss, after Marine sergeant Carl W...
(APD-135) was named in his honor.