Lt. Walter Benjamin Forbes, Jr.

Our Hometown Heroes

Walter Benjamin Forbes, Jr.

Fought for USA in New Guinea

Born on October 6, 1919, his father, Walter Benjamin Forbes owned a local drug store in downtown Griffin. His mother, Nancy Ruth Parsons Forbes had three children, including Walter. Local residents fondly remember Walter, Jr. as well as daughters Virginia Forbes Baker and Nancy Ruth Forbes Gary, the baby of the family. The 1920 Census shows the Forbes family living along South Hill Street. By the 1930 Census baby Ruth had been born and the family had moved to a home at 213 13th Street.

Walter would graduate from Griffin High School in 1936. A photo in the Class of 1936 yearbook, shows a handsome young man who was involved in all school clubs and activities.

From GHS he headed to North Georgia College and then transferred to the University of Georgia. Another yearbook photo taken at UGA, in 1939, shows the young cadet as a Sergeant, a high-ranking position, within his platoon. All too soon World War II, would break out and sons and daughters from Griffin and Spalding would be called to serve their country. This included Walter.

Joining the US Army, Walter was a Lt in the 126th Infantry, 32nd Division.
The US Army Infantry was called to clear the way to victory. Walter’s duties took him to Buna in New Guinea.

The Battle of Buna-Gona was part of the campaign in the Pacific Theater of World War II, against the Japanese. Australian and US forces stormed Japanese beachheads on the island. The battle lasted from November 16, 1942 until January 22, 1943. The Allied objective was to rid the Japanese forces from their entrenched positions and deny their further use. The Japanese, as can be imagined, had developed a very strong network of well-concealed defenses.

Logistics in such an operation was a nightmare. Thick vegetation, hot and humid climate, uncertain terrain and disease all caused numerous problems for the US and Australian troops. These problems were never entirely resolved. Toward the end of the battle, the Japanese troops retreated and withdrew to other nearby areas to try and build up additional strongholds. The remaining Japanese soldiers fought to the death, almost to the man.

A search on the internet provides the importance of the Battle of Buna toward victory in the Pacific: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Buna%E2%80%93Gona

“The battle is noteworthy for a number of reasons. The resolve and tenacity of the Japanese in defense was unprecedented and had not previously been encountered. It was to mark the desperate nature of fighting that characterized battles for the remainder of the Pacific war. For the Allies, there were a number of valuable but costly lessons in the conduct of jungle warfare. Allied losses in the battle were at a rate higher than that experienced at Guadalcanal.”

Casualty figures were incredible for the three-month battle. The Allies lost 2,000 men, killed in these battles with another 12,000 either injured or left the front sick from tropical disease. A total of 7,000 Japanese soldiers were killed and another 1,200 either injured or sick. The deadly battle showed only 250 Japanese soldiers taken prisoner at the end.

Walter Benjamin Forbes, Jr. was killed on November 21, 1942, only five days after the battle for Buna-Gona began. Forbes had turned 23 years-old only 6 weeks before he died. His body was returned to Griffin where he lies buried in the Forbes family plot in Oak Hill Cemetery.

It is for Walter Benjamin Forbes, Jr. and the other 164 men and women the Honor our KIA committee and a proud and grateful community says thank you. A plaque will be installed in Griffin to honor our true Hometown Hero and native son.