Thomas Arthur Schultz

Boot camp at MCRD San Diego with Tenth Recruit Battalion. Outposted to Battery B, Second Special Weapons Battalion, Second Marine Division, at Camp Elliott, CA for duty as an anti-tank gunner.

Accepted for Officer Candidates School at Quantico, VA, in summer of 1942. Commissioned as Second Lieutenant on 22 August 1942; attended Reserve Officers’ Class, and assigned to Camp Lejeune, NC, for additional training with Engineering Officers’ Course.

Transferred to Camp Elliott, CA in early 1943; attended and completed Pioneer School, and joined Easy Company, Second Battalion, 20th Marines (Pioneers) at Camp Pendleton, CA in spring 1943. On 14 June 1943, transferred to Regimental Weapons Company, 24th Marines as platoon leader. Appointed company executive officer on 22 October 1943.

From January-February 1944, participated in Operation Flintlock with Fourth Marine Division.

Transferred to Charlie Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines on 3 March 1944. Appointed company executive officer to replace fallen 1L. Theodore K. Johnson.

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: First Lieutenant
MOS: 2900 (Executive Officer)
Important Events:
June 19, 1944 – volunteered to act as artillery forward observer to block Japanese counterattack on vulnerable positions.
June 22, 1944 – organized assault on Japanese forces at Hill 646; oversaw evacuation of 25 wounded Marines. Killed in action (gunshot wound, head) while performing this duty.

Awarded the Navy Cross for actions on Saipan, June 15 through June 22:

Lacking an artillery forward observer during the bitter hostilities on 19 June, First Lieutenant Schultz fearlessly went forward at night and, directing our artillery fire with expert tactical ability, effectively frustrated powerful enemy counter-measures during the crucial phase of our operations in a sector which our troops had defended with decisive valor against the fanatic Japanese onslaught earlier in the day. An indomitable fighter, he led two rifle platoons in a bold assault on strongly fortified hostile positions on Mount Tapotchau on 22 June, annihilating approximately forty enemy troops. When his company came under shattering hostile mortar fire and suffered heavy casualties later the same day, he organized a stretcher party and, pushing through the tortuous tangle of heavily wooded area occupied by scattered enemy troops, succeeded in evacuating twenty-five Marines before he himself was killed. By his forceful leadership, intrepid fighting spirit and relentless determination in the face of savage, unceasing opposition, First Lieutenant Schultz contributed essentially to the ultimate conquest of this important Japanese stronghold, and his unfailing courage and valiant devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Campaign Narrative