Francis Butler Loomis Jr. was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps, who reached the rank of major general. He is most noted as executive officer of the 1st Defense Battalion during the Shelling of Johnston and Palmyra and later as Logistic Officer of III Marine Amphibious Corps during Battle of Okinawa. He was the son of United States Assistant Secretary of State, Francis B. Loomis.
Loomis Jr. as brigadier general, USMC
Loomis as young lieutenant in 1926.
Loomis (second from right) and III Marine Amphibious Corps staff during the planning of Okinawa operation. From left to right: David R. Nimmer, Walter A. Wachtler, Roy S. Geiger, Merwin H. Silverthorn, Sidney S. Wade, Loomis and Gale T. Cummings.
Marine defense battalions
Marine Defense Battalions were United States Marine Corps battalions charged with coastal and air defense of advanced naval bases during World War II. They maintained large anti-ship guns, anti-aircraft guns, searchlights, and small arms to repel landing forces.
3rd Defense Battalion with a 90 mm antiaircraft gun at Guadalcanal
155 mm Long Tom gun "Scorpion" of the 4th Marine Defense Battalion at Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella in the South Pacific.
Japanese Imperial Army Captain Sakee Oba surrenders his Samurai sword to Lieutenant Colonel Howard G. Kurgis, USMC, at Saipan, Mariana Islands on Saturday morning, December 1, 1945.
Image: 8th AAA Bn
