WORLD WAR II
IN ORO BAY NEW GUINEA

(491ST PORT BN) Clock

It's now

USA EASTERN STANDARD TIME
ADD 15 HOURS FOR ORO BAY TIME


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********* WELCOME--To the 491st Port Bn--Pictures from 1943-1945. -- *********

This attempt on my part, Roger F. Sykes, came about as the few Veterans of This World War Two Army unit are still around. I do hope anyone that has any more information and/or pictures to add will make themselves known.

Corrections to what I have are welcome. To EMAIL me see bottom of page.

The 491st PORT BATTALION was activated in early 1943 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in southern Pennsylvania. The purpose was to train GI Soldiers as Stevedores to load and unload cargo vessels any place in the world needed for war operation.

After training the Battalion was sent to California by rail Mid May to San Francisco and Oakland docks. Here our unit got real live training working as stevedore on the docks.

The Battalion was shipped overseas on July 1st, 1943 and arrived in Oro Bay New Guinea about 17th of the month.

In 1944 the individual Battalion Companies: A, B, C, and D were renamed the 621st. 622nd, 623rd 624th Port Companies. The 623 rd Port Company wase sent to Lae New Guinea directly after that area was secured from the Japanese. The three companies reamaining and Battalion Headquarters stayed in Oro bay until WW2 ended. On October 31st they were sent to the Philippine Islands for return to USA.


           




ANGELICAN MISSION--{Pongoni New Guinea -- 1944}



491ST PORT BN OFFICERS NOV. 1943
L-R W/O Enos Bagland; Lt. Wilber Halldorson; Major James Ackerman; Lt. Col. Donald Elder; Captain Donald C. Graig; W/O Robert. K. McCord; W/O William A. Bentson.
Our Medical Officer, Major Charles Frederick ME.

L to R -- Cpl. Sykes, Cpl James Whitaker, Cpl. Licata,
WO Baglan, Lt. Hill, Maj Ackerman
Trip to Native Villages to Secure Fresh Fruit

       

       
Gary Cooper and Una Merkel put on show at Battalion Theater
Una Merkel was God Daughter of Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Elder.

           



       



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MY THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING WHOM CONTRIBUTED TO THESE PAGES

Greg Dickinson, Elmira, N.Y. - gdickinson@stny.rr.com
Bill Bentson, Brisbane Australia - bilvk4qf@gil.com.au
George Skillman Jr. [Butch] - gskilly@yahoo.com
Mark V. Cowan, Kansas City Mo - mvcowan@att.net
Courtney Lafountain - mvcowan@att.net
Steve Leberer @kraft.com
INTERESTING LINKS

History of Australian Gun Battalion on Hill next to 491st Port Bn
Interesting Link to History of Area.
Another Interesting Link to History

HISTORY OF US ARMY IN NEW GUINEA DURING WW2
BATTLE OF BUNA MISSIONWW2
491st Port Bn.TRIP TO SOUTH PACIFIC M/S TORRENS
COURTNEY LAFOUNTAIN LETTER, "LOWVILLE NY"
 Pacific Wreck Database

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You can Contact me direct: Roger Sykes, 3807 Rhine St.,Sarasota, Fl 34234. Telephone 941 351 9353