Claude Wilbur (Buster) Davenport, Jr. was born December 30, 1922 in Santa Monica, CA. to parents Claude W. Davenport Sr. and Nona Aline Smith.
On December 14, 1941, just one week after the attack on Pearl Harbor (and mid-term of his Senior year of High School), Buster enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp for a term of four years, 1/11 H&S Btry, FMF, or 1st Marines, 11th Division, Headquarters and Service Company, Fleet Marine Force. He trained at Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, San Diego Co, CA,
He married Shirley Jean Rhody on Mar 12, 1943 at Van Nuys, CA. just prior to shipping out on June 25, 1943, arriving at Melbourne, Australia in July 17, 1943. He was then sent to Goodenough Island, where they prepared and trained for battle in the Pacific Theatre. He fought in the following battles: Cape Gloucester - Mar 24 to April 24, 1944; New Britain (Operation Cartwheel - Defense of Cape Gloucester Airfield); Peleliu & Ngesebus - September 15 to October 14, 1944; Palau Group, Caroline Islands (Operation Stalemate II). The assault and seizure of Peleliu came to be known as the bloodiest operation in WW II.
Buster returned to the states on February 22, 1945 just as 1st USMC 4th and 5th, with the 3rd in reserve, was preparing to attack Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands.
WW II Medals received: Asiatic Pacific Campaign (with double bronze star); Marine Corps Good Conduct; American Defense; American Campaign; World War II Victory Medal; Presidential Unit Citation (with bronze star) for Peleliu. The 11th Marines received the Navy Unit Commendation for Cape Gloucester.
He raised his family in Van Nuys, CA and later moved to San Diego, where he died Jan 9, 1972 from cancer. He was buried at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, CA.
Claude Wilbur (Buster) Davenport, Jr. was born December 30, 1922 in Santa Monica, CA. to parents Claude W. Davenport Sr. and Nona Aline Smith.
On December 14, 1941, just one week after the attack on Pearl Harbor (and mid-term of his Senior year of High School), Buster enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp for a term of four years, 1/11 H&S Btry, FMF, or 1st Marines, 11th Division, Headquarters and Service Company, Fleet Marine Force. He trained at Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, San Diego Co, CA,
He married Shirley Jean Rhody on Mar 12, 1943 at Van Nuys, CA. just prior to shipping out on June 25, 1943, arriving at Melbourne, Australia in July 17, 1943. He was then sent to Goodenough Island, where they prepared and trained for battle in the Pacific Theatre. He fought in the following battles: Cape Gloucester - Mar 24 to April 24, 1944; New Britain (Operation Cartwheel - Defense of Cape Gloucester Airfield); Peleliu & Ngesebus - September 15 to October 14, 1944; Palau Group, Caroline Islands (Operation Stalemate II). The assault and seizure of Peleliu came to be known as the bloodiest operation in WW II.
Buster returned to the states on February 22, 1945 just as 1st USMC 4th and 5th, with the 3rd in reserve, was preparing to attack Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands.
WW II Medals received: Asiatic Pacific Campaign (with double bronze star); Marine Corps Good Conduct; American Defense; American Campaign; World War II Victory Medal; Presidential Unit Citation (with bronze star) for Peleliu. The 11th Marines received the Navy Unit Commendation for Cape Gloucester.
He raised his family in Van Nuys, CA and later moved to San Diego, where he died Jan 9, 1972 from cancer. He was buried at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, CA.
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