Private Cecil Ray Tolley

Today's find is Cecil Ray Tolley (SN 831764).

Cecil Tolley was born in Calhoun City, Mississippi, on December 19, 1924. He was the fifth of six children born to Felix Tolley and Sarah Hearington - older sisters Velta, Leolis, Rachel, and Nelia, and younger brother Felix Junior.

Cecil grew up in Calhoun City and entered the Marine Corps on May 8, 1943, aged 18. The newly minted Private Tolley was assigned to a machine gun team in A Company's Weapons platoon.


The Marines were using the M1919A4 .30 caliber Browning machine gun. By the time Private Tolley joined the Marines, each company's Weapons platoon featured three machine guns, each commanded by a Corporal. The gunner would carry the tripod and ammunition, while the assistant gunner toted the gun itself (a hefty 31 pounds). They were supported by a team of three ammunition carriers. Each member would also be equipped with the M1 Carbine; the three squads would fall under the command of a Section Sergeant.

(The picture shows two members of the 24th at the Namur beachhead).

In May of 1944, the Marine weapons platoons were again reorganized; the new regulations doubled the number of machine guns and added two ammo carriers to each gun. The new larger section would be commanded by a Lieutenant.

The M1919A4 was capable of sustaining 150 RPM, with an effective range of 1,100 yards. Ammunition was loaded in cloth belts of 250 rounds, and carried bandoleer style or in metal cases.

Pvt. Tolley served with the MG section at Namur and Saipan. The war ended for him during the banzai attack of July 25, 1944, on Tinian.

Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Cecil E. Tolley (831764), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Marianas Islands, 25 July 1944. During a furious hostile counterattack, the enemy hurled hand grenades into the machine-gun position that Private Tolley held, seriously wounding him and two other Marines. Despite his painful wounds, Private Tolley courageously dragged himself to the machine gun and, loading the piece with one hand, fired four boxes of ammunition before becoming unconscious. By his gallant and selfless action, he succeeded in annihilating a number of the enemy and aided materially in repulsing the counterattack. Private Tolley's personal valor, aggressive fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(Note: Even loading the Browning machine gun was no mean feat, even when unwounded and with an assistant. The gunner needed to opening the top cover, lift the extractor, and insert the ammunition belt into the gun's feed tray. He then lowered the extractor over the first round in the belt. As the cover closed, the operator's right thumb made sure the belt feed lever was to the left to ensure the lever fit into the belt feed lever stud cam groove, a machined groove on top of the bolt. After latching the cover, the cocking handle was pulled back palm-up, to avoid thumb dislocation from a round "cooking off" prematurely, and released inserting the first round into the barrel's chamber.)

Cecil Tolley was headed home.

He married Nadine Bernice Blakemore in 1949, and with her raised Linda Raye and Cecilia Faye Tolley.

Cecil Tolley died on January 4, 1987. He is buried at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Gibson, Oklahoma.