TEAGUE, WAUSS R.

Sgt. Wauss R. Teague, USMC, died [Thursday, August 3, 1944] at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Mare Island, it was reported by his wife, Mrs. Fay Scott Teague of Orem.

Sgt. Teague’s death was believed due to accidental causes, although details were lacking here. He had wired his wife two weeks ago that he was coming home on a furlough.

He was born April 11, 1922 in Childress, Texas, the son of James R. and Mary Tommie Stanton Teague. He married Fay Scott Teague, formerly of Blackfoot, Ida. Dec. 24, 1942 at San Diego.

He had seen several years’ action in the Southwest Pacific with the Marines and had participated in most of the major invasions with the famous Carlson’s Raiders and other Marine organizations. He enlisted Oct. 14, 1941 and sailed overseas Feb. 9, 1943. He took part in campaigns in New Guinea, New Georgia, Bougainville, and Makin Island raids.

He received the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in action, the highest award, outside of the congressional and presidential honors. His exploits were told in an issue of the Leatherneck, official Marine publication.

He was of impressive build, six feet, two inches in height, weighing 250 pounds, and highly respected by both officers and men in his outfit. His courage was unquestioned and many times he had gone into the jungles, even at night on forays against the Jap snipers.

Surviving are the parents, his widow, a son, John Robert, 11 months old, whom he had never seen; a brother, Jesse Z. Teague with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific; and a sister, Mrs. Revia Parker, of Provo.

The body will be sent to Provo with official Marine escort and will be at the Claudin Funeral Home. Arrangements for full military honors to be paid him at the services will be made by Legion and other groups, to be announced later.

Historian’s note: Sgt. Teague served in D (later Q) Company, 4th Raider Battalion. He did not participate in the Makin raid.