Unfortunately,
more than 20 years
lapsed before his
heroism was
properly recognized.
Who was GySgt
Stockham, and how
did this happen?
Gunnery Sergeant Fred W. Stockham
Contempt of Personal Danger
Story by Col William T. Anderson, USMCR (Ret) • Photos courtesy of the author
Lieutenant Colonel Frederic M. Wise was in desperate straits
in mid-June 1918. His 2d Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment
had been fighting in Belleau Wood for several days without
relief. Casualties were mounting. As there were no water sources
in the Bois de Belleau, a lack of water was a serious problem. Food
was scarce.
Reports back to the 4th Marine Brigade headquarters led the
brigade commander, Brigadier General James Harbord, U.S. Army,
38 LEATHERNECK JUNE 2008
to order another Marine battalion to enter Belleau Wood, allowing
Wise’s exhausted remnants to withdraw. Well-rested following
the successful attack and defense of Bouresches during 6-10 June,
2d Bn, 6th Marines, under command of Major Thomas Holcomb,
a future Commandant of the Marine Corps, was selected.
After receiving instructions to effect this relief, Maj Holcomb
assembled his battalion in the woods northwest of the village of
Lucy-le-Bocage and prepared the men to move out on 13 June.
