01/09/2026
Captain Andrew A. Haldane of Methuen, Massachusetts, was a remarkable officer in the 1st Marine Division during World War II. Serving as company commander of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, he led his men through some of the most intense battles of the Pacific campaign, including Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu. Haldane was revered not only for his battlefield skill but also for his compassion and the trust he inspired in his Marines.
Tragically, during the Battle of Peleliu, Captain Haldane was fatally wounded by a Japanese sniper on Hill 140, just three days before his company rotated off the front lines. Eugene Sledge later reflected on Haldane’s irreplaceable leadership, describing him as a source of mental security and guidance amid the chaos of combat.
Captain Haldane was only 27 at his passing and now rests at Arlington National Cemetery, remembered as a hero who gave his all for his Marines.