Morgan County Colorado

Carl Jr. Reichert, age 22, from Morgan County Fort Morgan, Colorado .

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Wednesday, December 2, 1942
Death details: In early 1942, the Japanese High Command began a campaign to take control of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in an effort to cut off American and Australian naval routes and supply lines. From July through November, Allied forces solidified defenses to stop the Japanese advance, and from November 1942 to January 1943, attempted to capture the Solomon Islands. The Japanese had set up significant, almost impenetrable, defenses on the islands, concealed in areas of dense jungle, forcing Allied forces into separated and restricted columns of attack. As they approached Buna, the American and Australian troops faced a network of highly organized, mutually supporting bunkers fitted with reinforced walls, natural camouflage, and supplies. As a result of these difficulties, the first series of Allied attacks were defeated, demoralizing the troops and depleting their resources. It was not until December 2 that the Allies had any significant victories, and fighting in the area would continue until January 22, 1943. Fighting continued on the north coast of New Guinea into 1944, as Allied forces pushed the Japanese farther to the north and west. This campaign included retaking Japanese strongholds at Lae, Finschhafen, and Saidor. Private Carl Reichert Jr., who joined the U.S. Army in Colorado, served with the 126th Infantry, 32nd Infantry Division, which participated in the New Guinea Campaign of World War II. Private Reichert was killed in action near Buna, Southeastern Australian New Guinea, in December 1942, though specific details regarding his loss are unknown. Attempts to locate his remains following the conclusion of the war were unsuccessful. Today, Private Reichert is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency