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marine corps casualties
 

The heroic Sandinista narrative  maintains that thousands of US Marines died in the Segovian mountains during the period of the US invasion & occupation.  In fact, from the beginning of the "second intervention" in mid-1926 until the final Marine withdrawal on January 2, 1933, a total of 136 Marines lost their lives.  

     This page houses the official list of Marine Corps casualties in Nicaragua from 1 January 1927 to 2 January 1933.  It might be noted that I have found nothing in any report, letter, diary, or anything else produced by the Marines & Guardia that contradicts this official tally.  Of the 136 Marines who lost their lives in Nicaragua during this period, 32 were killed in action; 15 died of wounds suffered in battle; 24 died of disease; 41 died of accidental causes; 12 committed suicide; 11 were victims of homicide; and one was shot resisting arrest.

     The full list is transcribed below (with the exception of the "chronological tables," since the information they contain can be derived from the other lists; these tables appear on pp. 8-9 of the JPEG files, for which I ask the reader's indulgence for my coffee stains and scribbled notes).  Links to reports that describe the specific circumstances are provided where possible.   (Photo above:  Grave of USMC Pfc. Michael A. Obleski, died of wounds suffered in the Battle of Ocotal, 16 July 1927.  RG127, US National Archives II, College Park, MD.)

     MARINE CORPS CASUALTIES IN NICARAGUA
JANUARY 1, 1927 TO JANUARY 2, 1933

Killed in Action:

Name Rank Unit Date Place
BRUNTON, Lawrence C. 2nd Lt NNGD 32.04.21 nr Apali
BUCHANAN, Richard B. Capt MD, USS Arkansas 27.05.16 La Paz Centro
POWER, Lester E. 1st Lt NNGD 31.06.15 Embocaderos
PEFLEY, Harlen Capt NNGD 31.04.11 nr Logtown
THOMAS, Earl A. 2nd Lt VO 7-M 27.10.08 nr Quilali
ARON, Irving T. Cpl 51st-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
BRUCE, Thomas G. 1st Sgt NNGD 28.01.01 nr Sapotillal
BUSH, Lambert Pvt 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
CALLAWAY, Bernard F. Pvt 49th-5th 27.12.18 Macuelizo
COLLINS, Rastus Pvt 45th-5th 29.01.21 San Antonio
COVINGTON, Laurin T. Cpl NNGD 32.04.21 nr Apali
CROSSON, Estler Pvt 1cl 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
DOWDELL, Frank E. Sgt VO-7M 27.10.08 nr Quilali
ELLIOTT, Edward E. Pvt 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
GOLDSMITH, George E. Pvt 1cl 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
HARBAUGH, Joseph A. Pvt. 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
HEMPHILL, Johnny F. 1st Sgt NNGD 27.12.30 nr Quilali
JACKSON, Marvin A. Pvt MD USS Florida 27.05.16 La Paz Centro
KOSIERADZKI, Frank Pvt 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
LITZ, Richard J. Pvt 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
McCARTY, Joseph A. Pvt 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
McGHEE, William E. Sgt NNGD 31.06.15 Embocaderos
OSWILL, George T. Pvt 45th-5th 29.01.21 nr San Antonio
PALRANG, Arthur M. Sgt 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
PUMP, John C. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
RECTOR, Everett A. Pvt 1cl H&H 3rd-5th 30.01.21 San Antonio
ROBBINS, George E. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
RUSSELL, Lenton C. Pvt 23rd-5th 27.09.19 Telpaneca
SCHLAUCH, Albert Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
STENGEL, Meyer Pvt MD USS Denver 28.08.07 nr Wamblan
THIELHART, Adolph Cpl 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
WATSON, Grady W. Pvt 1cl 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
[explanatory notes] [battalion-reg't] [yr.mo.day] [nr = near]

Died of Wounds:

HUNTER, Robert S. Capt HQ 2nd Brig 28.05.13 Peña Blanca
AUSTIN, Cicero D. Cpl H&H 2nd Brig 5th 28.02.28 Condega
BLACK, Elmer Pvt 57th-11th 29.03.26 Jocote
CULBRETH, Paul L. Pvt 43rd-5th 30.09.29 Condega
FREEMAN, Norman G. Sgt NNGD 30.08.02 Las Cruces
GLASER, James S. Pvt 66th-5th 27.09.19 Telpaneca
KIRKENDALL, David M. Pvt 43rd-5th 31.01.02 nr Ocotal
MOTT, Curtis J. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.28 nr Condega
OBLESKI, Michael A. Pvt 16th-5th 27.07.16 Ocotal
RUE, Arthur W. Pvt 66th-5th 27.11.27 nr Somoto
SAVULICH, Michael Pvt MD USS Denver 29.03.17 nr Pavona
TORO, Rafael Pvt 17th-5th 27.07.25 San Fernando
WHITE, Russell Sgt NNGD 30.11.10 nr Guapotal
WILLIAMS, Charles Gy Sgt 52nd-11th 28.12.06 nr Chuyelite
WILLIAMSON, William L. Cpl 47th-11th 28.05.13 Peña Blanca

Died of Diseases:

HEALEY, Leo 1st Lt NNGD malaria 31.02.17 Managua
BROOKS, Leroy A. Pvt 62nd-11th malaria 28.11.09 Matiguas
BURNETT, Francis E. Cpl Sgt Co 3M pneumonia 30.09.12 Managua
BURNETT, Parker E. Pvt 1cl 77th-5th paratyphoid 28.10.12 Managua
CLAUSEN, Anton S. Sgt NNGD dementia paralytica 32.06.04 Managua
COHEN, Abe Pvt 45th-5th peritonitis 28.02.09 San Albino
CUMMINGS, Frank A. Pvt 46th-11th pneumonia 28.11.03 Jalapa
DRULARD, John F. Pvt 17th-5th pneumonia 28.02.29 Juigalpa
GINGRAS, Louis W. Pvt 45th-5th appendicitis 27.03.31 Matagalpa
GIUSTINIANI, Alfred J. Pvt 20th-5th cerebral hem. 27.06.06 Jinotega
HAND, Carl C. Pvt H&H 1st-5th appendicitis 28.01.13 San Albino
HASTINGS, Ira C. Pvt 57th-11th meningitis 29.03.17 Managua
LAKIN, Raymond N. Pvt 45th-5th typhoid 29.01.14 Managua
McKENZIE, William L. Sgt Mjr  ----- malaria 28.12.19 Ocotal
MARTIN, Lee Sgt 23rd-5th cerebrospinal fever 29.06.07 Managua
O'NEAL, Giles E. Pvt 17th-5th typhoid 31.08.25 Managua
PAWLING, Maurice R., Jr. PFC MD USS Galveston intestinal obstruction 28.09.26 Puerto Cabezas
PINDAR, Claud PFC MD, USS Cleveland myocarditis 28.05.02 Managua
QUELLHORST, Eric D. PFC 16th-5th malaria 27.09.06 Jicaro
SANDERS, James H. Pvt HQ-AS pleurisy 31.10.26 Managua
SCHNEPP, Harry G. Pvt VJ 6-M septicemia 28.12.21 Managua
STRONG, Fielder M. Pvt MD, USS Rochester dysentery 27.02.17 Ancon, C.Z.
SULLIVAN, Harry J. Pvt 49th-5th dysentery 28.02.29 Condega
WILLIAMS, Claude R. Sgt 8th-5th myocarditis 29.07.23 Managua

Accidental Deaths:

BOURNE, Albert T. 1st Lt NNGD drowned 31.09.19 nr Navarro
BYRD, William C. ** Capt ObS 6-M plane crash 28.03.08 ** Esteli
DICKEY, James F. Chf QM Clk NNGD earthquake 31.03.31 Managua
HOWARD, Euvelle D. Capt HQ AS plane crash 29.07.22 nr Ocotal
KNIGHT, Clarence M. 1st Lt 57th-11th plane crash 29.07.22 nr Ocotal
McHUGH, James B. 2nd Lt VO 6-M plane crash 29.04.13 San Carlos
POUNDERS, Walter L. Mach gunner HQ AS plane crash 30.07.16 nr Managua
RUTLEDGE, Raymond P. 2nd Lt VO 7-M plance crash 32.08.24 nr Rama
ALBERT, Aloys A. Pvt 16th-5th acc GSW 27.04.27 Matagalpa
CAMPBELL, Richard M. Pvt HH 1st-8th plane crash 31.08.23 Corinto
CHESSER, David H. Tpr Serv-5th acc GSW 29.01.27 Tipitapa
CLARK, Lee Stf Sgt VJ 6-M plane crash 31.08.23 nr Corinto
CONLEY, Corliss E. Pvt HH 3rd-5th acc SI-GSW 28.02.13 Juigalpa
CZASZEWICZ, Francis A. Pvt 20th-5th drowned 28.10.02 nr Guiligua
FRANKFORTER, Rudolph A. Sgt ObS 6-M plane crash 28.03.08 Esteli
GEORGE, Lawrence J. Pvt 2nd Brig drowned 28.07.18 Tilba Falls
GEROW, Peter R. PFC 77th-5th acc GSW 27.08.08 Managua
GOEN, John R. Pvt 51st-5th drowned 28.08.11 Aula Rapids
GREGORY, Early Pvt 47th-11th acc GSW 28.03.02 El Gallo
GRUBBS, Cabble H. PFC Elec Det drowned 30.09.07 nr Leon
ISHAM, Hollis W. Pcl 59th-11th drowned 28.06.08 nr Asang
JOHNSON, Cray PFC HQ 2nd Br drowned 27.05.19 Managua
KILBRIDE, Joseph V. Pvt 14th-11th acc GSW 28.05.08 S Raf Norte
KOCHERSPERGER, Charles S. PFC 77th-5th drowned 27.01.13 Rama
LEAKE, Robert W. Sgt NGD fall fr horse 29.08.30 Managua
MARTIN, Chalmer L. Sgt HQ AS plane crash 30.07.16 nr Managua
MILLER, Otto Cpl VJ 6-M plane crash 29.04.13 nr Sn Carlos
MOODY, Robert K. Pvt VJ 6-M plane crash 29.07.22 nr Ocotal
MOORE, William I. Pvt 46th-11th drowned 28.09.19 Guacamte
MYERS, Earle E. Pvt 52nd-11th acc GSW 28.02.09 S Raf Norte
OZIOMEK, Waclaw Pvt 60th-11th drowned 29.01.30 Rio Prinzapolka
PERHAM, Frederick E. Pvt 66th-5th grenade exp 28.02.05 Ocotal
PINER, Byron O. Sgt V0-7M plane crash 29.04.13 nr San Carlos
RAMIREZ, Luis A. Sgt NNGD drowned 31.07.01 Rio Negro, Somotillo
RUTLEDGE, William N., Jr. Pvt MD USS Galveston drowned 28.11.27 Carreton Rapids
RYLAND, Chaster Sgt HH 1st-5th drowned 28.10.05 off Bluefields
SIMMONS, Orville B. Sgt VJ 6-M plane crash 32.08.24 nr Rama
SMITH, Leroy C. Pvt 17th-5th fall 30.11.05 Managua
STANAWHITE, Peter Pvt 18th-5th drowned 28.10.17 Lk Managua
STARNES, Garnett P. Pvt 51st-5th drowned 28.12.01 Rio Cape Gracias
WHITE, Hormisdas J. Pvt 2nd Brig drowned 28.07.23 Tilba Falls

** The date of Captain William C. Byrd's death has been corrected to March 8, 1928 instead of March 8, 1929, because Capt. Merritt Edson mentions Capt. Byrd's death on the third page of a letter dated March 29, 1928.  In this case the Official List of Casualties must be incorrect.  The date has been corrected to 1928, not 1929. 

Died, Other Causes:

ALBAN, Harvey B. 1st Lt NNGD suicide 30.10.11 Corinto
BIRMINGHAM, Henry T. 1st Lt 5th Reg suicide 27.02.12 Managua
DARTT, Veryl H. 1st Lt NNGD homicide 30.04.18 Jicaro
McREYNOLDS, Charles S Mjr HQ-5th homicide 29.11.11 Diriamba
SELBY, Edward 1st Lt NNGD homicide 30.03.09 Jinotega
BUDAI, Albert A. Sgt NNGD homicide 30.06.18 Matagalpa
DAMRON, John Jr. Sgt NNGD suicide 30.09.14 Matagalpa
DIXON, Robert E. Pvt 60th-11th homicide 29.04.30 nr Danli
HARTLEY, James G. Pvt 2nd-11th suicide 28.05.09 Jinotega
HUGHES, Henry L. QM Sgt HQ 2nd Br suicide 28.11.07 Corinto
LEVONSKI, Charles J. Sgt NNGD homicide 32.04.04 Kisalaya
MARTIN, Jesse D. Pvt 8th-5th suicide 29.11.11 La Rosa
O'LOUGHLIN, John G. 1st Sgt Serv-11th suicide 29.07.15 Apali
OWEN, Charles O. Sgt NNGD homicide 30.12.21 Ocotal
PIGG, William H. Gy Sgt NNGD homicide 31.04.04 Managua
SCHMIERER, Edward H. Gy Sgt NNGD homicide 32.06.30 San Isidro
SILVERNAIL, John Cpl HQ-5th suicide 27.12.27 nr Managua
SMITH, John W. Cpl Serv-11th suicide 29.07.18 Ocotal
SPLITTGERBER, Paul C. Sgt 8th-5th suicide 27.09.01 Matagalpa
STOCK, Robert R. 1st Sgt 61st-11th suicide 29.06.30 Ocotal
TROGLER, Lewis H. Cpl. NNGD homicide 29.10.05 Telpaneca
TROTTER, James O. Sgt 43rd-5th suicide 28.07.18 Managua
WEST, John B. Pvt Elec Det shot resisting arrest 32.12.24 Chinandega
YOUNG, James O. Sgt NNGD homicide 30.04.18 Jicaro

Wounded in Action:

GOULD, Moses J. 1st Lt HH 3rd-5th 27.12.30 nr quilali
LIVINGSTON, Richard Capt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr quilali
O'SHEA, George J. J. 1st Lt 16th-5th 27.10.09 Sapotillal
PIERCE, Francis E. Capt VO-7M 28.03.19 nr Murra
RICHAL, Merton A. 1st Lt HH 1st-5th 28.01.01 Sapotillal
BALLARD, Lewis E. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
BLANCHARD, Harry M. PFC 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
BRANDENBURG, Raleigh R PFC 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
BRANNON, Clyde T. 1st Sgt NNGD 32.02.02 nr Constancia
CARTER, Raymond B. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
CHRISTIAN, Wilbourn O. Sgt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
COLLINS, Robert H. Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
CORYELL, Fred Gy Sgt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
COYLE, John P. Pvt 16th-5th 28.01.01 nr Guanacastillo
COYNE, Bernard W. Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
CRUM, Peter C. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
DAVIS, Lem C. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
DONNELL, Robert A. Pvt 8th-5th 27.11.25 nr Espino
DOWD, Thomas F. PFC 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
DuBOIS, Max M. Pvt 47th-11th 28.05.13 nr Pena Blanca
EARNHARDT, James R. Pvt 43rd-5th 31.01.02 nr Ocotal
ELLARD, Audie C. PFC 2nd-11th 28.04.19 nr El Sauce
ENDRESS, Clifford C. Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
ERPELDING, George H. Pvt 43rd-5th 30.08.23 Duceuelito
FIELD, Scott Sgt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
FITZPATRICK, Aruthur L. Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
FULTZ, Gilbert M. Pvt 23rd-5th 27.11.01 nr Jicaro
GARRISON, Charles S. Pvt 16th-5th 27.07.16 Ocotal
HAGERMAN, Nicholas B. Pvt 20th-5th 28.01.23 nr Chipote
HARRIS, Robert F. Gy Sgt NNGD 29.02.19 Jinotega
HAYS, Virgil Pvt NNGD 32.06.27 nr San Juan
HENRY, Wallace Cpl 16th-5th 28.01.01 Sapotillal
HOOKS, Lee H. Pvt 16th-5th 28.01.01 Sapotillal
HUSKA, Paul PFC 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
HUTCHCROFT, Harry D. Sgt NNGD 32.05.17 nr Puerto Cabezas
HUTCHERSON, Mack Pvt 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
INGLES, Ben E. Pvt 8th-5th 28.01.23 nr Chipote
ISHAM, Charles H. Sgt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
JACKSON, Frank A. Pvt 43rd-5th 30.12.31 nr Achuapa
KESSLER, Arthur W. Sgt NNGD 31.03.08 nr Camoapa
LEACH, Anthony J. Cpl 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
LEE, William A. Gy Sgt NNGD 32.09.26 nr Agua Carta
LITTLE, Jason Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
McDONALD, Donald Gy Sgt NNGD 28.01.21 nr San Albino
McFAUL, James V. Pvt MD, USS Denver 29.03.17 nr Pavona
MAYNARD, Linton C. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
MOSIER, Melvin Sgt MD, USS Denver 28.08.07 nr Wamblan
NATION, Henry O. Pvt HH-3rd-5th 28.01.20 nr San Geronimo
NEEL, John L. Cpl NNGD 27.12.30 nr Quilali
NEWBERGER, Albert H. Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
PAINE, Thomas E. Drummer MD, USS Denver 28.08.07 nr Wamblan
PHELPS, Clarence E. Pvt 57th-11th 28.02.27 nr Condega
POMORSKI, Edward L. Pvt 16th-5th 28.01.01 nr Guanacastillo
RAUSCH, Anthony J. Cpl MD, USS Florida 27.05.16 La Paz Centro
ROOS, Otto N. Sgt HH-3rd-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
ROSS, Everett C. Sgt NNGD 31.06.09 Las Cruces
ROWE, Edward F. Sgt 57th-11th 28.03.25 Condega
SCHONEBERGER, Russell Sgt MD, USS Denver 28.08.07 Wamblan
SIMON, William F. Jr. PFC MD USS Arkasas 27.05.16 La Paz Centro
SMITH, Glenn Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
SMITH, Leonard J. Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
STEWART, Carey V. Cpl 14th-11th 28.10.13 San Albino
TURNER, Charles E. Pvt 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali
UR, Dazider E. Pvt 43rd-5th 30.09.29 nr Condega
VILLEGAS, Ernest D. Sgt NNGD 29.08.31 nr Jicaro
WALKER, Edgar B. PFC 8th-5th 27.12.30 nr Quilali

" C A U S E S "   T A B L E S

DISEASES:- Officers Enlisted Totals
Malaria 1 3 4
Pneumonia 0 3 3
Typhoid and para-typhoid 0 3 3
Appendicitis 0 2 2
Dysentery 0 2 2
Myocarditis 0 2 2
Cerebral hemorrhage 0 1 1
Cerebrospinal fever 0 1 1
Cerebrospinal meningitis 0 1 1
Dementia paralytica 0 1 1
Intestinal obstruction 0 1 1
Peritonitis 0 1 1
Pleurisy 0 1 1
Septicemia 0 1 1
          TOTALS 1 23 24
       
ACCIDENTAL DEATHS:- Officers Enlisted Totals
Drowned 1 15 16
Plane crashes 6 8 14
Accidental gunshot wounds 0 7 7
Crushed, during earthquake 1 0 1
Grenade explosion 0 1 1
Fall from horse 0 1 1
Fall in shower bath 0 1 1
          TOTALS 8 33 41
       
DIED, OTHER CAUSES:- Officers Enlisted Totals
Homicide 3 8 11
Suicide 2 10 12
Shot resisting arrest 0 1 1
          TOTALS 5 19 24
       
       
       

 

 

Source:  NA127/43A/15/17.5

 

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