December 1943 to May 1944 : 12th Defense Battalion on Cape Gloucester

The light antiaircraft artillery of the 12th Defense Battalion on the deck of an LST approaching Cape Gloucester, New Britain, is poised to fire on Japanese aircraft. Department of Defense photo (USMC) 71623

By late March 1944, Daddy was still considered as part of the 41st Replacement Battalion, but was on his way to Cape Gloucester (arrived April 2, 1944.)  The 12th Defense Battalion, as part of the 1st Marine Division, had been there since the invasion on December 26, 1943.

In His Own Words - March 1944 : Guadalcanal and Malaria

Upon arriving in the Pacific Theater, Daddy was greeted with Malaria.  This was very common for troops on this side of the war, and he makes it sound like it was just part of life in the Pacific.