Memories
On New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 27 July 1943 Dad took
place in the following, as described by a Colonel in Intelligence: "Yesterday I saw a bulldozer crew ambushed by about 15 Japs armed with two light machine guns,firing at 30 yards range. Four men were killed and eight wounded. At that point I saw Doc Welker(Capt Wm K Weker0 the regimental dentist, who should not have been that far forward, crawl to the bulldozer and help drag the
wounded away.
Citation for award of Silver Star: William K. Welker, captain, Dental Corps, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action at New Georgia, Salomon Islands, on 27 July 1943. Upon learning that a platoon of Engineers had been ambushed by Japanese machine guns and snipers, Capt. Welker, the Regimental Dentist, immediately organized a volunteer
litter-bearing party and personally led them, under fire, into the ambushed area to safely evacuate all wounded personnel.
How Dad told it: While on New Georgia some engineers got pined down while working on the airstrip. Some of us went out and got them. As I was running back to shelter I lost my spoon. As it was the only eating utensil I had I turned back to get it. That is when I discovered that the Jap machine-gunners were shooting at me, I let the spoon and proceeded to the nearest cover.
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