Owen
Patrick Lillie
1919-1944
USMC Captain Owen Patrick Lillie, A Company, First Armored Amphibian
Battalion, First Provisional Marine Brigade, EMF was killed in the line
of duty against the enemy on Guam, Marianas Islands July 21, 1944. Owen
Patrick Lillie who lost his life in the service of his country has been
reported buried Grave 23, Row 3, Plot l, Army, Navy and Marine Corps Cemetery,
Guam Island.
We have been honored at First Armored Amphibian Battalion Reunions in
1999 and 2000 to have as our guest, Nancy Maureen Lillie Hardy, the daughter
of Capt. Lillie, a daughter he never saw. Nancy has kept careful documentation
of her father's letters, military record, etc these catalogued into a
book, which she has graciously shared with our battalion.
Captain Lillie received on March 29, 1944 via RCA Radiogram that he had
a daughter and family all well. On April 12, 1944 he wrote the daughter
he would never see. The three pages typed letter represents a caring and
loving father. Enclosed in the letter was a single dollar bill for material
things that 55 years later remains unspent.
On July 21, 1944 the landing on yellow beaches 1&2 at Agat Beach, Guam
A Company spearheading for the 22d Marines met with disaster. Capt. Lillie,
A Company commanding officer, in Tank A-18 moved in to fill the ranks
and took a direct hit on the muzzle of the 37-mm gun. The explosion killed
both Capt. Lillie and his radio operator, Sergeant LeRoy F. Hesse. A Company
in this landing had 17 Marines killed and 21 wounded.
Lt. Thomas J. Garfield, A Company, himself wounded on Guam had this to
say about his commanding officer, Captain Lillie. "He was admired and
respected by all who knew him. An exceedingly capable officer, his men
loved him. I have a great sense of personal loss."
Lt. E.N. Livingston, A Company, in a letter to Capt. Lillie's wife wrote,"
We share your sorrow at the loss ofa fine officer and gentleman under
whom we are proud to have served."
Captain Lillie was laid to rest in a grave on Guam. In a letter to Lillie's
wife, Major Louis Metzer (later Lt. General Metzer) wrote." After the
fighting was over I went to the place where Pat (Capt. Lillie) was laid
to rest; it was on a low hill over looking the town of Agat with a beautiful
view of the ocean. Each place was clearly marked. Pat is still in the
best company in the world."
So say we all about those noble Marines we left behind.
- Grady Coker
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