Today in World War II History—September 19, 1943
Men of the Headquarters Company, 480th Port Battalion (an African-American unit) in makeshift Fifth Army office in ancient Temple of Neptune in Paestum, Italy, 22 September 1943; At desk, front to rear: Sgts. James Shellman, Gilbert A. Terry, John W. Phoenix, Curtis A. Richardson, and Leslie B. Wood. In front of desk, front to rear: T/Sgt. Gordon A. Scott, M/Sgt. Walter C. Jackson, Sgt. David D. Jones, and WO Carlyle M. Tucker (US National Archives: 111-SC-181588)
80 Years Ago—Sept. 19, 1943: In Italy, Allies secure Salerno plain.
Australians open offensive in Ramu Valley, New Guinea, and take Kaiapit, but the Japanese counterattack in force.
Decca Records signs deal with the striking musicians’ union and becomes the first studio to record in the US in a year.
