Part 2 of 2 Parts
The family and the US Marine Corps have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present for the funeral of a great Hero of WWII, SSgt Wesley L. Kroenung Jr., we will be honored to so.
Wesley Kroenung Jr was called up to serve and enlisted in the US Marine Corps on Feb 13, 1943. Kroenung completed boot camp in early April and was immediately assigned to duty with Headquarters Company, Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet. He was rated as a rifle sharpshooter, but the Corps was more interested in another kind of shooting: Private Kroenung’s first mission was to Camp Pendleton to take photographs.
The popular success of John Ford’s The Battle of Midway – an exciting documentary film shot during the battle – was not lost on the Corps; nor was the public interest in photographs and stories emanating from the Solomon Islands. A dedicated combat correspondents program was launched in 1942; by 1943, the Marines were making strides into training their own photographers and motion cameramen. In the summer of 1943, a number of talented photographers were selected for training at the Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; “Whitey” Kroenung – so called for his shock of platinum blonde hair – was among them.
In August of 1943, Kroenung made the meteoric jump in rank from private to staff sergeant; that October, he joined Headquarters Company, V Amphibious Corps as a public relations cameraman. By 12 October, they were aboard the USS Monrovia along with Brigadier General Leo Hermle’s command group and Landing Team 3/8 – the Third Battalion, 8th Marines. The Monrovia arrived off the coast of Betio, in the Tarawa atoll, early in the morning of 20 November 1943. Whitey lost his life on that beach of Tarawa along with hundreds of others.
He was not identified and was buried on the island for many years in an unknown grave. He eventually was sent to Hawaii many years ago for possible identification and finally on April 16, 2019 he was positively identified through family DNA. Now, he is finally coming home to receive the military honors he so deserves and to rest in the soil of the land he lost his life defending.
SSgt Wesley L. Kroenung Jr. has been awarded the following: Purple Heart for wounds received in combat which led to his death, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps good conduct medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal, World War II Victory medal, Rifle Sharpshooters Badge.
SSgt Kroenung is survived by several members of his extended family who will be in attendance.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to the cemetery, approx 18 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time table for Wednesday 14 AUG 19:1245 – Stage at El Camino Memorial-Sorrento Valley Chapel, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd., San Diego, CA 92121
https://goo.gl/maps/iv8LhW7WXigiLRP3A1300 - Mission briefing
1320 - Flag line for dignified transfer of Hero to coach.
1330 - KSU to Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr., San Diego, CA 92122 (approx. 18 miles)
https://goo.gl/maps/6s3RH3W65kk1VZRQ81400 - Est. time for arrival, Flag Line for transfer of Hero to horse drawn carriage.
1430 – Flag Line for Military Honors and Funeral Service.
R/C Lorenzo Lizarraga
SoCal PGR Regional Ride Captain619-971-2236
llizarraga@yahoo.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
