Doubek, Richard J.

Description

Richard J. Doubek was born in New York in December 20,1920 to Emil Doubek and Agusta Werner. His Father was born in Russia and his mother was born in New York. Very little can be found about his family or if he had siblings. In the 1930 Census at age 10 he was listed as a border living with Charles and Rose Harriot on Purchase Street. In 1944 he lived with the Donohue family on Adelaide Street and in 1945 his address is listed as Meadow Place.

Richard was a proud member of the Rye High School class of 1938. In high school Richard was a drummer in the band. Richard also was a track manager, and participated in the fingerprinting club.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on February 2nd, 1942. In the Marines, Richard was an infantryman serving with Company “B”, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. His outfit was the first to land on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. The Japanese defenders, who had occupied those islands since May 1942, were outnumbered and overwhelmed by the Allies, who captured Tulagi and Florida, as well as the airfield – later named Henderson Field – that was under construction on Guadalcanal.

Surprised by the Allied offensive, the Japanese made several attempts between August and November to retake Henderson Field. Three major land battles, seven large naval battles (five nighttime surface actions and two carrier battles), and almost daily aerial battles culminated in the decisive Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in early November, with the defeat of the last Japanese attempt to bombard Henderson Field from the sea and to land enough troops to retake it. After almost Five months of continuous Battle, Richard and the rest of the division were relived by Army divisions in December 1942.

During World War II Richard would fight along with his 5th Marine Regiment on Guadalcanal, New Britain, Eastern New Guinea and Peleliu.

At Peleliu, Richard’s 1st Battalion assaulted the island alongside the rest of the 1st Marine Division under Major General William H. Rupertus, fighting primarily to secure the island’s airstrip and prevent interference with the Allied offensive in the Philippines. Richard landed on eithert Orange Beach 1 and Orange Beach 2 on D-Day, September 15, 1944, the 1st Battalion would gain notoriety for the total destruction of an attempted Japanese tank-infantry counterattack. This costly maneuver of Japanese tanks and a company-sized infantry element would be the sole instance of open Japanese maneuver during the months-long Battle of Peleliu.

After Peleliu Richard would receive a furlough and after two-and-a-half years overseas he returned to Rye.

Church Dedicates Parish Honor Roll
The Church of the Resurrection honored its men and women in the countrys military service, Friday night, when the parish honor roll bearing the names of 350 members was formally dedicated. Over four hundred attended the service in which visiting clergymen participated with the priests of the parish. Officiating at the Benediction were the Rev. John D. McGowan, pastor; the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph E. Breslin, dean of the Catholic clergy of Westchester County; the Rev. Thomas E. Philbin, of White Plains; the Rev. Francis Scott, Bronxville; the Rev. Thomas F. Farrell and the Rev. James F. Tully, both of Rye. Three members of the X United States Marines, home after thirty months service in the South Pacific, Cpl. Daniel P. Coughlin, Pfc. Richard Doubek and Pfc, Joseph Maloney, formed a special guard of honor.
THE RYE CHRONICLE Friday, December 15, 1944

Pfc. Doubek summed up his feelings after the long period of service by saying,
“It seems like a dream. I wish someone would pinch me to make sure that I’m home.” His next assignment was with a Marine Detachment at Ithaca, N. Y.. Richard was Honorably Discharged on November 16, 1945.

Richard J. Doubek passed away on December 19th, 1994. Richard was the beloved husband of Rita L . Nee Piatt: loving father of Richard P., Donna (John) Jekobsze. Terence J. (Robin). Nancy and Kenneth (Jeanine); dearest grandfather of Matthew, Jessica, and Katrina Jakobsze, Michael, Zachary, Drew and Kaitlyn Doubek.

Austin Harvey

RHS 2021