PFC Donald Honre Bacha was born on October 8, 1921. Official Marine records show that he was born and lived in Rockford and enlisted at Chicago, Illinois.
The day for the initial invasion of Guam was dubbed W-Day. That was the day that the 3rd Marine Division attacked Asan beach on Guam. The next day PFC Donald Bacha was killed. PFC Bacha was a member of the 21st Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as documented on the NPS site. He is also listed on the Asan Wall Memorial that lists all casualties on Guam between December 6, 1941 and August 10, 1944.
W-Day, 21 July 1944, opened as a beautiful day, but it soon turned hazy as the violent clouds of smoke, dust, and fire spiraled skyward. At 0808 an air observer shouted into his microphone: "First wave on the beach." At 0833, the same airborne announcer confirmed the battle was on, with: "Troops ashore on all beaches."
Troops of the 3d Marine Division landed on Guam virtually in the lap of the Japanese island commander, General Takashina, whose U-shaped cave command post, carved out of a sandstone cliff, overlooked the Asan-Adelup beachhead. The looming heights dominated the beaches, particularly on the left and center, where the 3d and 21st Marines were headed for the shore.
Bacha's posthumous officially engraved Type 1 Purple Heart, as made by the US Mint, comes with its original short titled Purple Heart presentation box. Also included are his WW2 Victory medal, Asiatic Campaign medal, cover EGA emblem, Marine Corps Marksmanship badge with Expert Pistol and Expert Bayonet bars, Mother's Son in Service pin, and Mother's Purple Heart pin issued in 1947. A lot of internet reseach paperwork is included.
