Remi A. Balduck
Encyclopedia
Remi August Balduck--born in Detroit, Mich., on March 30, 1918—enlisted in the Marine Corps
at Detroit on September 4, 1940 and commenced recruit training
at Parris Island, S.C., two days later. Assigned to the Marine Barracks at the Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Va., on November 3, 1940, he received promotion to private, 1st class, on June 13, 1941. Reassigned to the Marine Barracks at New River, N.C., on September 28, 1941, Balduck was ultimately assigned to the 7th Marine Regiment, Ist Marine Division, and sailed for the South Pacific on May 8, 1942.
Promoted to corporal on June 6, 1942, Balduck landed with the 7th Marines on Guadalcanal
on September 18, 1942 as that regiment reinforced Marine Corps units already there in the bitter struggle for that island. Assigned to Company "G," 2d Battalion, he took part in one of the short, sharp encounters with the Japanese near Koli Point, five miles east of Lunga. On November 9, 1942, although normally a squad leader, Cpl. Balduck spearheaded his platoon in a frontal assault on a Japanese position, and suffered a fatal wound just as he threw a hand grenade at the enemy. For his "relentless fighting spirit," maintained in utter disregard for his own safety and for the extraordinary heroism this showed, Balduck was awarded the Navy Cross
posthumously.
USS Balduck
(APD-132) was named in his honor.
Balduck Memorial Park, Detroit Michigan
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
at Detroit on September 4, 1940 and commenced recruit training
Recruit training
Recruit training, more commonly known as Basic Training and colloquially called Boot Camp, is the initial indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel, enlisted and officer...
at Parris Island, S.C., two days later. Assigned to the Marine Barracks at the Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Va., on November 3, 1940, he received promotion to private, 1st class, on June 13, 1941. Reassigned to the Marine Barracks at New River, N.C., on September 28, 1941, Balduck was ultimately assigned to the 7th Marine Regiment, Ist Marine Division, and sailed for the South Pacific on May 8, 1942.
Promoted to corporal on June 6, 1942, Balduck landed with the 7th Marines on 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...
on September 18, 1942 as that regiment reinforced Marine Corps units already there in the bitter struggle for that island. Assigned to Company "G," 2d Battalion, he took part in one of the short, sharp encounters with the Japanese near Koli Point, five miles east of Lunga. On November 9, 1942, although normally a squad leader, Cpl. Balduck spearheaded his platoon in a frontal assault on a Japanese position, and suffered a fatal wound just as he threw a hand grenade at the enemy. For his "relentless fighting spirit," maintained in utter disregard for his own safety and for the extraordinary heroism this showed, Balduck was 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...
posthumously.
Namesake
In 1944, the high-speed transportHigh speed transport
High Speed Transports were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts used to support amphibious operations in World War II and afterward. They received the US Hull classification symbol APD; "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer....
USS Balduck
USS Balduck (APD-132)
USS Balduck was a of the United States Navy, named after Marine Corporal Remi A. Balduck , who was killed during the Battle of Guadalcanal. For his actions he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross....
(APD-132) was named in his honor.
Balduck Memorial Park, Detroit Michigan