Battle of Wakde
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Wakde was part of the New Guinea campaign
of World War II
. It was fought between the United States
and Japan
from 15 May 1944 to 18 May 1944.
Task Force 77, commanded by Rear Admiral
William Fechteler
supported by USS Stockton
covered the landing on 15 May 1944 by the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade, 593d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, of the 163rd Regimental Combat Team of the 41st Infantry Division.
After a three day battle the island was declared captured on 18 May. The capture of Wakde cost the Americans 40 killed, and 107 wounded, the Japanese lost 759 killed and 4 captured.
New Guinea campaign
The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
of 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...
. It was fought between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
from 15 May 1944 to 18 May 1944.
Task Force 77, commanded by Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
William Fechteler
William Fechteler
William Morrow Fechteler was an admiral in the United States Navy who served as Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower administration. He was the son of Rear Admiral Augustus F. Fechteler.-Biography:...
supported by USS Stockton
USS Stockton (DD-646)
USS Stockton , a Gleaves-class destroyer, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Commodore Robert F. Stockton....
covered the landing on 15 May 1944 by the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade, 593d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, of the 163rd Regimental Combat Team of the 41st Infantry Division.
After a three day battle the island was declared captured on 18 May. The capture of Wakde cost the Americans 40 killed, and 107 wounded, the Japanese lost 759 killed and 4 captured.