The Major James O’Donovan Story, Part 2
His first trial came at the place called Layac Junction, gateway to the Bataan peninsula. The mission was to delay the Japanese Army, buying time for defenses to be made further south at the Main Line of Resistance (MLR). After an 8-hour artillery barrage, the Japanese attacked. Two companies from 1st battalion of the 31st Infantry fled the defensive line, exposing the flanks of adjoining units. MAJ O’Donovan, with two companies from 3rd battalion, rushed forward under fire amidst constant shelling to counter-attack and restore the line. For his actions he was awarded the Silver Star Citation and the Bronze Star Medal.
”MORE” The awards state: Silver Star Citation During the counter-attack made by the Third Battalion, 31st Infantry near Layac Junction, Bataan Province, P.I. , on January 6, 1942, Major O’Donovan set a fine example for the attacking elements by his bravery under severe enemy fire. Major O’Donovan’s leadership and bravery under fire were important contributing factors to the success of the attack. Bronze Star Medal For Meritorious achievement in military operations against and armed enemy of the United States while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment on 6 January 1942 in the Philippines. His dauntless efforts and unwavering courage in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations are traits to emulate. Major O’Donovan’s outstanding performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Philippine Division, and the Army of the United States. Abucay Hacienda The Japanese forces pressed southward down the peninsula, but were stopped at the MLR. The enemy took massive casualties from the 57th Regiment, Philippine Scouts, but continuously probed the line for weakness. They finally broke through near a sugar plantation called Abucay Hacienda. There the 51st Division HQ was surrounded and the penetration was being reinforced, leaving the entire MLR in jeopardy. Jim and the 31st Infantry were commanded to march 15 miles to Abucay Hacienda, counter-attack, and restore the MLR. While at Abucay Hacienda he personally led several assaults against prepared enemy positions hiding in mango groves and sugar cane. On one of these missions he led a patrol in a flanking maneuver, attacked the enemy leaving 12 dead and was himself hit by a grenade and hospitalized for three days. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Jim was at other times wounded in the arm, and again slightly wounded in the head by sniper fire, a constant menace in the trees above. Consequently, he led counter-sniper operations and it’s said that he had several snipers to his credit. To gain volunteers for this dangerous mission he’s quoted as saying “come with me and you’ll get medals, let’s bell the cat”. Japanese soldiers took cover in the sugar cane that grew close to American lines. Several accounts describe how MAJ O’Donovan personally used fuel to set the cane burning. As the enemy fled they were exposed to withering gunfire described as a “duck shoot”. According to one account, Jim’s clothes were entirely burned off leaving him naked except for a gun belt with two pistols. He commanded the shell on the night of the withdrawal from the Abucay line. Where once 12 companies had been, three companies remained to fight an emboldened enemy, now sensing retreat. Dr. Ralph Hibbs later described it, “Our machine guns clattered incessantly. Our protective shell was holding. Thank God for the brave and determined men who remained behind”. They held out until the appointed time and withdrew as ordered behind a screen of prepared tanks and self-propelled guns. A thousand Japanese gave pursuit, unaware of the waiting tanks which wiped them out entirely. The commander of L Company, Captain Donald G. Thompson, later wrote of this event: I was with Jim throughout that long, terrible, night. Fighting Japs continuously until 7:00 in the next morning! He was an inspiration to me, as well as all the men in the covering force for his fearlessness, his good judgement and his superior commanding ability. How we got out of that action that night I’ll never know, but Jim O’Donovan had a great deal to do with it! That month, Clark Lee, an AP reporter embedded with the troops wrote in his column: The Hacienda battle proved for the first time that American soldiers can outfight Japanese, but it was costly proof. The 31st regimental roster is studded with the names of dead, wounded and missing, as well as those of living heroes. For his actions at Abucay Hacienda, Jim was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, our nation’s second highest military award after the Medal of Honor. Distinguished Service Cross For extraordinary heroism in action in the vicinity of Abucay Hacienda, Bataan, Philippine Islands, during the period January 20-24, 1942. During the four-day battle of Abucay Hacienda, Major O’Donovan was serving as battalion executive officer. His constant exhibition of bravery and effective leadership in front line positions under intense rifle, machine gun, mortar and artillery fire was a significant factor in the successful resistance of his unit. On the night of January 24th, Major O’Donovan, in command of a covering shell of three depleted companies, was charged with securing the withdrawal of his regiment. Shortly after the withdrawal was under way, a general attack was launched by the enemy. Again, his competent leadership and exhibition of bravery in the most advanced positions, contributed to the efficient accomplishment of his mission and the consequent successful withdrawal of the regiment.” Calm Before the Storm Japanese succeeded in taking the MLR but at such a high price they could not afford to press the attack further. They paused during February and March to gather forces for a final assault and subsequent bombardment of the island fortress of Corregidor. Despite the lull in direct combat, the defenders continued to wither away from months of 1/2 rations, and a shortage of medicine, including quinine, essential for treatment of malaria. In mid-march, Jim spent eight days in the hospital, probably due to malaria. This all meant that when the fighting did resume, their effectiveness would be less than 50%. Mount Samat Japan’s final assault began April 3rd in sector D of the defensive line, manned by the pitiful remnants of the Philippine Army. After a terrific artillery attack that demolished the majority of defensive preparations, the Japanese advanced, scattering the shell-shocked defenders. The 31st Infantry Regiment, which had been held in reserve, was released April 5th. Their mission was to counter attack a Japanese breakthrough in sector D. By the time the regiment arrived at the line of departure, the enemy was already there and advancing. The mission was changed from attack, to the formation of a defensive line at the San Vicente River. It was at this line of defense on April 6th that Jim was nearly blown up. The event was described in the book “Bataan, Our last Ditch”: “… Captain Thompson was receiving orders from Major O’Donovan when Japanese artillery slammed into the area. Thompson was next to a tree that shattered under the fire and peppered him with pieces of tree and shell. He was evacuated to a hospital, not because of fragmentation wounds, but because the shell landed so close he lost his hearing. Sitting nearby, Private Snyder was watching the meeting when he saw the shell hit right among the officers. “It temporarily shell-shocked me” Snyder recalled. “I ran to a foxhole, and after the shelling, the men had a hard time getting me out” The resistance at the San Vicente River held until April 7th, when their position was attacked, the Regiment was cut off, and they received orders to withdraw. The regiment made a disorganized withdrawal to another defensive line on the 8th and finally was surrounded and captured on April 9th. Demolitions A letter from Captain Thompson, Company L commander, indicates that after April 7th, Jim had a special mission: I was wounded on the 6th April 1942 by Jap heavy artillery and was taken to the base hospital. 3 days later (Apr 9) the surrender came. However, on the last two days of fighting, Jim organized and commanded a small task force of Filipinos, American soldiers, scouts, navy and marines around the town of Mariveles. Thru Jim’s command and men, the navy was able to destroy many naval installations rather than surrender them to the Japs. His actions on those 2 days were highly commended by several officers and men I talked to after the surrender. ”LESS”