Kemp lived in Palm Beach and had completed one year of high school when he enlisted in Company C, 124th Infantry Regiment 10 September 1940. He was inducted into federal service 25 November 1940 as a Private. He remained with the 124TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 31ST INFANTRY DIVISION and with it, served in the Southwest Pacific. He was a Sergeant at the time of his death. His next of kin included Lester Kemp, father, Sylvania, Georgia. KILLED IN ACTION; 3 August 1944, Aitape, New Guinea. 124th Infantry Regiment 31st Infantry Division (The 124th Infantry Regimental Combat Team was involved in the Aitape-Drinimour River Campaign in New Guinea for which the 3rd Battalion received a Distinguished Unit Citation. On the day Kemp was killed, the 3rd had made a flank march against Japanese positions, combatting strong enemy units, the main line of which they encountered on the 3rd of August, the day of Kemp's death. Later, the Japanese were successfully turned out of their main defenses). 3RD BATTALION, 124TH INFANTRY REGIMENT nlent, reinforced by an infantry battalion, launched a counter-attack, to the east toward Niumen Creek. to re- 31st Infiiary Division. General Order Number 15i5 liCev' the pressure on tle extreme southern Hank and to 20 Sepltiber -19-5 secure a position from which the enemy could be en- The 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry, is cited for out- veloped and cut off. The 3rd Battalion on the extreme standing performance of duty in action near Aitape. right flank of three battalions abreast with the reinforc- Brilish New Guinea, during the period 12July 1944 to 7 mg battalion following reached its objective early in the August 1944. On 12 ,uly 1944, tie 3rd Battalion. after a afternoon of I August 1944. Turning south the 3rd Bat- lor'cle march of' 12 miles, roiued aul enirny-leld posi- talion encountered well prepared pol silions and the ad- tion cast ol the X-Ray River to secure a line of depar- vance was halted due to tile bitter opposition. Following ture, to launch a counterattack to restore the line of the the engagement 99 enemy dead were counted. The ad- Driniuimor River, which had been penetrated by a dI- vance t tthe south continued through dlese jungle, terminied tanatical enemy force the previous day. The rough and swampy terrain, with the 3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion, with an exposed right flank, led the at- reaching tile Afua Trail far in advance of the battalion tack and by strong aggressive action reached its objec- on its right. On 5 August 1944. while attacking south on tive I;. te in rlie afternoon of 13 July 1944. This battalion Niumen iCreek, the 3rd Battalion contacted strong dug- was subjected to intense automatic and small arms lire in positions, but by aggressive action digging the enemy from three exposed flanks throughout the night, as from caves and spider fox-holes in solid rock, continued other elements olf the combat team had been delayed by to advance until 1500. Heavy mortar fire was received a strong enemlly force andl could not close in on tlhe ob. during thie night ani thie enemy launched a vigorous jective. On 14 July 1944, the 3rd Battalion in an advance couunerattack which was quickly repulsed by the 3rd to close the'left Ilank of the unit on their right, met sud- Battalion. Immediately afterwards, the 3rd Battalion den intensive enemy resfie instance from all directions. launched an attack fixing the enemy in position, while The 3rd Battalion lighting with sheer determination another battalion flanked to the eniemly's left; then a under tile most adverse circumstances finally over- vicious coordinated attack was launched, destroying powered the enemy killing 168 enemy and severed and and routing an estimated reinforced battalion, account- strongly secured the enemy's main supply route. This ing for 425 enemy dead. As a result of the strenuous ac- feat was accomplished so swiftly that an enemy supply lion on 5 and 6 August the whole enemy force was train continued to advance down the trail directly into practically annihilated and the disorganized remnants the strongest sector of the 3rd Battalion's perimeter, re- of the force trapped. The 3rd Battalion was in constant suiting in 131 enemy dead littering the trail and river contact with the desperate enemy force during the pe- bed. Shortly before daybreak oi 16 July the 3rd Baral- riod of 13 July to 7 August 1944. The aggressive action ion was attacked by a well organized enemy force from of the 3rd Battalion, relentlessly driving the enemy the rear followed by a similar attack supported by mor- through mud, swamps, dense jungle growth and over tar fire on the right flank by an eneny force occupying rough mountainous terrain during heavy prevailing positions previously prepared by friendly troops. The rains, never allowing the enemy to consolidate and re- opposition in that direction was quickly neutralized and organize, played a major role in the liberation of Aitape one company of the Battalion counterattacked to the and established another "stepping stone" for Allied right and drove the enemy from their position where armies to advance to the other strategic islands to the 416 eremiy ,'ere killed. Early on the morning of 21 July north. During this period the 3rd Battalion accounted 1944, thle enemy launched a vicious coordinated attack for approximately 1300 enemy dead. The conspicuous on the front and rear defense of the 3rd Battalion. gallantry and the outstanding performance of duty There followed the most fanatical fighting up to this from 13 July to 7 August 1944 by all personnel of the time as the enemy attacked the well defended positions 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, reflects great of the battalion time and time again, only to be repulsed credit upon themselves and the Battalion and upholds by a superior force. On 31 July 1944, the entire regi- the highest traditions of the service.