Pfc. Max N. Showalter, 37146323, Assistant Machine Gunner, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. Killed in Action on 12 March 1944 on Bougainville, Solomon Islands when he was shot and killed while fighting for a series of pillboxes from a Japanese assault Born on 28 July 1919, he entered the service on 22 February 1942 from Drumwright, Oklahoma. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman's Badge. At the time of his death, Pfc. Showalter's Company G was occupying a ling near the Laruma River and the Numa Numa Trail. They were holding a position with multiple pillboxes when 2 Japanese Battalions from the Japanese 45th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division (these are veteran troops who participated in the Rape of Nanking in China) infiltrated the lines in Company G's sector throughout the night of 11 - 12 March and launched an attack at 0423. By 0630 the enemy had penetrated the lines of Company G and occupied at least 7 pillboxes. The force of the attack was blunted by Company G and American counterattacks stabilized the situation and was able to reoccupy four of the pillboxes. Pfc. Showalter was among the 2 KIAs of the day when he was hit with fire as an assistant machine gunner. For his actions on this day, Pfc. Showalter was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievements in connection with military operations against the enemy at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 12 March 1944. The citation continues, "Private First Class Showalter, an assistant machine gunner, tenaciously defended his position under the withering fire of two savage enemy attacks until struck by an enemy bullet." He is buried at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. He was 24 years old.

--- Purple Hearts of World War II
--- accessed 24 Oct 2007