By Mary Beth Kennedy Voda

“Americans never quit.” Douglas MacArthur Special Feature The National Memorial Day Parade 6 A recap of the first official event welcoming Carrying on the home our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan legacy As the years pass, our dedication to preserv- Articles ing the legacy of the World War II generation should never waver. In this issue, we The Invasion of France demonstrate how the generations who have 10 Behind Enemy Lines by followed the Greatest Generation have Veterans of the 99th Infantry Division march Laura Ymker in the National Memorial Day Parade picked up the torch, and are working to car- As Allied troops stormed ashore in Normandy, a rying on the ideals for which our World War II veterans fought. First, we recap the crucial mission was unfolding throughout German- recent National Memorial Day Parade, at which well over 100,000 people gathered to occupied France pay tribute to our veterans and fallen heroes. Then, two historians, one aspiring and The Story of Two Men on Iwo one with a special connection to our World War II veterans, tell stories behind the 16 As Told Through Their Letters by stories of two of the war’s greatest battles. They are then joined by the veterans of Mary Beth Kennedy Voda World War II themselves, recounting their own experiences, in their own words. A Japanese general and an American Marine think of home while preparing for battle Features Return to Pisa by 19 William Kaufman 28 Conspicuous Gallantry on Guadalcanal An American soldier returns to the battlefield, and An excerpt from the radio documentary series recalls a choice that haunts him to this day Veterans Chronicles, featuring an interview AWOL in Alaska by with legendary Marine Mitch Paige 23 Dr. Walter E. Howard A story from the often-overlooked Aleutian cam- 31 World War II Book Club paign - the first time foreign forces occupied American soil since the War of 1812 32 Committee Activities

Available from the World War II Veterans Committee!

June 6, 1944: Despite unfavorable weather forecasts, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Com- mander Allied Expeditionary Force, had given the order to go. At 0200 hours, British and American airborne divisions began parachuting behind enemy lines in occupied France. Four and a half hours later, after intense air and naval bombardment, massive assault waves of troops began storming the shores of Normandy at five beaches codenamed Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah, and Omaha. The Allied invasion of Europe had begun.

In the award-winning audio documentary, D-Day: They Were There, you are taken back in time with the men who led the attack against Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. Available on CD, this program combines contem- porary interviews with archival sounds in a tribute to those who fought, and died, on what would become known as “The Longest Day.”

To Order, send $7.95, plus $2 shipping, for each copy desired to: World War II Veterans Committee/1030 15th St, NW Suite 856/Washington, DC 20005 Or order by phone with Visa/MasterCard at 202-777-7272

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 2 From the Editor Preserving the Legacy By Tim G.W. Holbert

It is a story well known to us all. On April 18, 1942, just over four On Veterans Day—November 11, 2006—the World War II Vet- months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, sixteen B-25 bombers erans Committee will honor the surviving Doolittle Raiders at the launched from the deck of the USS Hornet on a daring secret Edward J. Herlihy Awards Banquet, part of its Ninth Annual mission. Their target—Japan. Taking the enemy by surprise, the Conference. These men represent the finest of the greatest of B-25s, led by then-Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, struck military tar- generations, and will be joined by heroic veterans of later eras— gets in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, and Nagoya. from Korea, Vietnam, and our brave young service members currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is fitting that this cel- Despite inflicting minimal damage compared to later bombing ebration of America’s veterans from across the generations be- raids on Japan, the Doolittle Raid was a tremendous boost to gins with the veterans of World War II, who so many of us have American morale. Since Pearl Harbor, U.S. forces in the Pacific long admired. had been reeling, and Japan had been asserting its domination over an expanding empire. Doolittle’s attack struck fear into the Preserving the legacy of the World War II generation has been Japanese command, which recalled fighter aircraft units back home the mission of the World War II Veterans Committee since its to defend against further raids—a strategic shift that would have inception. As is tradition, the summer issue of World War II huge consequences at the next turning point of the war—Mid- Chronicles is dedicated to those who are working to keep the his- way. tory of America’s World War II veterans alive. Following a recap of the Committee-sponsored National Memorial Day Parade, The Doolittle Raid was not without cost. Two crew members we include an article by Laura Ymker, a college student and aspir- were killed during the crash-landing of their plane, while another ing historian who this summer served as an intern with the Com- died attempting to bail out of his aircraft. Eight were captured mittee. Laura’s dedication to telling the story of America’s veter- by the Japanese after their plane was crash-landed. Three of whom ans was strongly evident, and if she is any indication, the legacy of were executed, while one died in captivity—all suffered cruel and our veterans is in safe hands. inhumane treatment. In essence, this issue is a demonstration of the entire mission of Like so many of America’s veterans of World War II, the Doolittle the World War II Veterans Committee: to provide a forum for Raiders realized the dangers of the mission they were given, but the veterans of World War II to pass their knowledge and expe- they approached it with bold determination to succeed. They riences on to younger generations, who in turn will keep that knew the cost of defeat, and refused to accept it. Over sixty years legacy alive for generations to come. And while we hope that you later, too often we believe that victory was inevitable, that the will join us for the upcoming Ninth Annual Conference, whether might of the United States and its allies was bound to prevail. But you are a veteran, know a veteran, or admire our veterans, we during these dark early days of the war, none could be so sure. hope that you will take the opportunity, this Veterans Day, to Victory was achieved by the heroic sacrifices of millions of Ameri- share the history of America’s veterans with a young person. They cans of all ages, races, and creeds, who saw the war through, and will appreciate it more than you know. preserved democracy over tyranny.

World War II Chronicles, Issue XXXV, Summer 2006.

A quarterly publication of the World War II Veterans Committee, 1030 World War II Veterans Committee 15th St, NW Suite 856, Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: 202-777- David Eisenhower - Honorary Chairman 7272. Fax: 202-408-0624. James C. Roberts - President The World War II Veterans Committee is a project of the American Michael Paradiso - Publisher Studies Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public education foundation. World Tim G.W. Holbert - Editor/Program Director War II Chronicles is mailed to donors to the World War II Veterans Committee who make a contribution of $50 or more per-year. Contri- Visit the Committee’s web site at www.wwiivets.com. butions help to fund the Committee’s various speaker conferences, student programs, the National Memorial Day Parade, documentary and oral history projects, and this publication. To make a contribution or subscribe, call 202-777-7272 or e-mail [email protected]. World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 3 November 8-11, 2006 Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel Arlington, VA

This Veterans Day weekend, join the American Veterans Center as we learn from and honor our military heroes from the Greatest Generation to the latest generation. For the past eight years, veterans of World War II have come to Washington to share their experiences with friends, family, and an admiring public as part of our annual conferences. This year, they will be joined by veterans of eras since, including Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. This will be an opportunity for veterans of all ages, their friends, and their fans to come together and honor their service and sacrifice.

As we celebrate Veterans Day among America’s greatest heroes, we hope that you will join us for a weekend that none who attend will soon forget.

Confirmed Topics and Speakers Include

Veterans of the Legendary Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Maj. Gen. David M. Jones Col. Richard C. Cole Col. Robert Hite Col. Thomas Griffin M/Sgt. Ed Horton Col. Bill Bowers

Veterans of the famed “The Band of Brothers” E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Lynn “Buck” Compton Don Malarkey Bill Guarnere Earl McClung Edward “Babe” Heffron Darrell “Shifty” Powers

Hon. Celia Sandys - Noted author and granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill

Bob Feller - Baseball Hall of Famer and veteran of the USS Alabama Dr. Jay W. Baird – Author of To Die for Germany: Heroes in the Nazi Pantheon One of sixteen B-25s taking off from the deck of the USS Hornet as part of the Doolittle Raid on Japan - April 18, 1942 Infantry Combat Against the Japanese: Okinawa Donald Dencker Leonard Laznarick John “Bos” Ensor Renwyn Triplett Col. Warren Wiedhahn – Executive Officer, Korean War Veterans Association of the USA Lt. Gen. Dave R. Palmer – Former Superintendent of West Point, two-tour veteran of Vietnam, and military historian. Author of the recently published George Washington and Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots Brig. Gen. R. Steve Ritchie – The only Air Force ace pilot of the Vietnam War Col. Lewis S. Sorley– Vietnam veteran and renowned historian and author of A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Trag- Jubilant former American POWs celebrate as the plane edy of America’s Last Years in Vietnam carrying them home takes off from Hanoi in 1973

Adrian Cronauer – Famed Vietnam disc jockey and subject of the movie, Good Morning, Vietnam

The Vietnam POW experience - Featuring: Col. George “Bud” Day - Veteran of three wars, recipient of the Medal of Honor, and the most decorated American officer since Douglas MacArthur Lt. Col. Marion Anthony Marshall - Navigator in the 13th Squadron based in Thailand.Shot down over North Vietnam during his 266th mission. Among awards are five Distinguished Flying Crosses Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier – F-4C pilot in the 390th TFS stationed in Da Nang. Shot down over North Vietnam during his 80th mission. Awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts Capt. Jack Fellowes – Pilot of A-6A Intruder operating from the USS Constellation. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts PLUS A panel devoted to recipients of our nation’s highest military award: The Medal of Honor Panels of veterans devoted to Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Korean War, Operation Desert Storm, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Wreath-laying ceremonies at the National World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial In memory of America’s fallen heroes The gala Edward J. Herlihy Awards Banquet Honoring America’s greatest veterans from across the generations And Much More!

We are currently accepting registrations for the Ninth Annual Conference, to be held from November 8-11 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. To request a full conference agenda and registration form, write us at: World War II Veterans Committee / 1030 15th St., NW Suite 856 / Washington, DC 20005 Or call 202-777-7272 or e-mail [email protected].

Hotel reservations should be made directly with the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel / 2799 Jefferson David Hwy. / Arlington, VA 22202. Telephone: 703-418-1234. Be sure to tell the reservation clerk that you are attending the American Veterans Center’s conference to obtain the special rate of $166-per night (single). The American Veterans Center Presents The National Memorial Day Parade

On a warm, sunny afternoon, an estimated 125,000 people lined the streets of Washington for the second annual Na- tional Memorial Day Parade. Honoring America’s veterans and war dead from the Revolution through Operation Iraqi Freedom, the spectacular two and a half hour parade included over 3,000 participants, among them 600 servicemen and women recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. This was the nation’s first official opportunity to welcome these brave heroes home, and into the pantheon of American heroes dating back well over 200 years. The parade was sponsored by the American Veterans Center, the parent organization of the World War II Veterans Committee.

Grand Marshal of the 2006 National Memorial Day Parade was Emmy Award-winning actor Gary Sinise (pictured right), most famous for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in the film Forrest Gump. In recent years, Sinise has worked to raise aware- ness about the sacrifices made by members of the military. He is the co-founder of Operation Iraqi Children, a grassroots program that helps ordinary Americans reach out to the Iraqi people by providing school supplies for children, and supports our troops’ efforts to build a better future for Iraq.

The parade ceremonies began shortly before noon with the recit- ing of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by eight recipients of our nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Immedi- ately following was an Air Force flyover (below), featuring a World War II-era P-51, Korea-era F-86, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and an Air Force F-15 Eagle.

At noon, the flags around Washington were raised from half-staff to full, and the parade stepped off, led by a riderless, caparisoned horse (left) in honor of those Americans who gave their lives for our country. Organized chronologically, with reenactors of soldiers from the Continental Army, War of 1812, Civil War (pictured left), and Spanish-American War, the parade sought to pay tribute to the sacrifices of all who have served America throughout her history.

Following these units of reenactors were hundreds of veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Free- dom. The parade even included 106-year-old Petty Of- ficer 1st Class Lloyd Brown, one of about 30 remaining American veterans of World War I. Brown served as an honorary marshal representing those who fought in the First World War.

Perhaps one of the most gratifying parts of the parade was the involvement, and enthusiasm, of scores of young people who helped make the event a success. Hundreds of kids from the Young Marines program volunteered to help carry banners and flags (pictured right), escort veterans, and pass out water to parade participants. Also, members of the Navy Sea Cadets assisted in handing out over 20,000 small American flags to the crowds lining Constitution Avenue. This is all in addition to the thousands of children and young adults who attended the parade, along with their parents and grandparents, to honor those who preserved freedom for future generations, and are continuing to do so today.

One of the major highlights of the National Memorial Day Parade was the inclusion of the legendary United States Marine Corps Band, pictured left in their trademark red uniforms. Nicknamed “The President’s Own,” the Marine Band is one of the most respected bands in the world and is the old- est professional music organization in America. Once led by John Phillip Sousa, the band played many of his marches throughout the length of the parade route. They were joined by nearly two dozen high school, college, and military academy bands that marched in the parade. Leading each delegation of veterans in the parade were honorary marshals for every era since World War I. In addition to Petty Officer 1st Class Lloyd Brown, the honorary marshals included MG John K. Singlaub, representing the Ko- rean War, BG R. Steve Ritchie for Vietnam, and Gen. Walter E. Boomer for Desert Storm. Honorary marshal representing the veterans of World War II was LTG Harry W.O. Kinnard of the famed 101st Airborne Division (pictured left with wife Libby). Kinnard is best known for composing BG Anthony McAuliffe’s famed Christmas address during the siege of Bastogne, as well as coming up with the legendary one-word response to the German demand for surrender - “NUTS!”

In addition to the honorary marshals, the parade featured a number of distinguished veterans, none more distinguished than seven recipients of the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor (pictured right). Thanks to the generous support of Tri West Healthcare Alliance, these heroes were brought to Washington where they helped begin the National Memorial Day Parade by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Included were Iwo Jima veterans Jack H. Lucas and Hershel “Woody” Williams, as well as hero of Normandy, Walter Ehlers.

Among the thousands of veterans and participants in the parade were several hundred veterans of the Second World War. Strongly represented were those who served in the 101st Airborne, the 99th Infantry Division, the Office of Strategic Services, the 82nd Airborne, as well as veterans of Pearl Harbor (left), the Battle of the Bulge, and Iwo Jima. Many other veterans from all arenas of the war also took part. Additionally, members of such veterans orga- nizations as the Military Order of the Purple Heart, AMVETS, the American Legion, Jewish War Veterans, and Japanese American Veterans participated.

Veterans of all generations came together to participate in the National Memorial Day Parade, as evidenced right, where a soldier recently returned from the Middle East joined a World War II veteran in carrying the banner leading the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. As much as the parade was an opportunity for the public to pay their respects to our veterans and honored war dead, it was also a time for heroes from all eras to salute one another. For the veterans of Okinawa, Chosin, Khe Sanh, and Fallujah, their shared sacrifices have created a bond that reaches across the generations. Over sixty years ago, the veterans of World War II returned home to a country that welcomed them back, grateful for their service and sacrifice. Today, we welcome home those brave men and women who are serving America abroad, defending those same ideals that the World War II generation fought for so many years before.

The 2006 National Memorial Day Parade culminated with the inclusion of over 600 servicemembers only recently returned from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan (pictured left and below). These soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines carry on in the finest tradition of those who have preceded them.

Easily the most thrilling and emotional moment of the parade was when hundreds of active duty military personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Ma- rines, National Guard, and Coast Guard passed by the 125,000 spectators crowded along Constitution Avenue (below). A tremendous roar arose from the reviewing stand as each branch of the military was announced. The 2006 National Memorial Day Pa- rade was the first official event for the public to welcome home our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, and it was an opportunity for these brave men and women to be recognized alongside the heroes of the past, from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Expressing the sentiments of many of the troops just returned from abroad was Sgt. Sebrina Sims of the Washington, DC National Guard, who said that it was “an honor” to march alongside others who served before. As she told the Washington Times, “I am a veteran, and I honor all vets. If I could do it again next year, I would.”

The second annual National Memorial Day was a tremendous success, drawing over 125,000 spectators and coverage on network, cable, and local television news channels, and was broadcast live around the world on the Pentagon Chan- nel. Stories on the parade appeared in such national newspapers as the Washing- ton Post, Washington Times, and New York Times, as well as dozens of others. Still, the success would not have been possible without the generous contributions of thousands of individual donors to the World War II Veterans Committee, who share in the belief that the men and women of America’s military deserve to be remembered today, tomorrow, and for all time. The Invasion of France Behind Enemy Lines By Laura Ymker

It was finally D-Day, June 6, 1944. Every day for the last France to escape the draft. There they acquired the name six months, the Allies had prepared for the invasion. A large maquis from a type of brush that grew in the area. Daniel part of their energy had gone into Operation Bodyguard— Funk, an artillery mechanic with the U.S. Army’s 28th In- the overall plan for deceiving the Germans about the Al- fantry Division, described one such young man: lies’ plans for the invasion of France. American, French, and British intelligence worked together to cover up the His name was Francois Darville. I never knew what happened to evidence of the planned attack. This was not a small un- him, never seen him since. But we were staying in his father’s barn. dertaking because an army the equivalent of every man, That is how I got to know him. I met him about three times over woman, child, and vehicle in Green Bay, Racine, and there. He had run away from the Germans. He was in the unoccu- Kenosha, Wisconsin, was to be moved over the English pied section of France, hiding to keep from getting conscripted into Channel overnight. Once the army the German army. He was twenty-two was over the Channel, the invasion years old. (In) his group, he said, there would have to face a growing num- was like twenty-five of them. I couldn’t ber of German troops gathering from get too much information from him because various parts of France. Any ob- I didn’t speak French too well. The only stacles placed in the path of the thing I knew about what they were doing Germans on the way to the beach (was) they were just trying to disrupt the would gain the Allies crucial time to Germans as much as possible. They were put more troops ashore and push far- blowing up bridges [and] passing on in- ther inland. The task of delaying the formation to the American army that they Germans was given to the British would come across. and American air forces and to the British, American, and French The British Special Operations Ex- shadow armies in France. ecutive (SOE) had been assisting the Resistance since 1940. In What role the French Resistance An American officer and a French partisan take cover during 1943, the American Office of Stra- was to play in this drama was an operations in a crowded town. A key strategy of the Allied tegic Services (OSS) joined the area of tension among the Allies. command during the early days of the invasion of France SOE’s effort. Together they Some members of the high com- was to assist the Resistance in disrupting the movement dropped weapons, explosives, li- mand doubted the loyalty of the and communications of the German army. aison personnel, and weapon in- French Resistance members; others, such as General structors to the Resistance. In April of the same year, Mike Eisenhower, expected large contributions from the French. Rowlandson of the SOE and Franklin Canfield of the OSS Final decisions on how the French would participate in Op- suggested dropping teams of men into France to hinder eration Overlord, the invasion of the continent, were not the German defense. Each team would consist of an Ameri- made until April, 1944. can or British officer, a French officer and a radioman. All the men would be dropped into France in the uniform of The Resistance in France had been operating since the be- their country. It was hoped that the uniformed men would ginning of the German occupation. Membership in the boost French morale. The uniforms would also legally re- Resistance varied widely from right-winged nationalists to quire them to be treated by the terms of the Geneva Con- communists. Its numbers increased rapidly when in early vention if they were captured by the Germans. The team’s 1943, the Germans issued a draft for forced labor. Many task would be to organize, arm, and train the local Resis- thousands of young men fled to the mountains in Southern tance fighters for action for when they were called upon by

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 10 the Allies to rise against the Germans en masse. This plan, They also went through psychological testing to ensure their known as Operation Jedburgh, was submitted to authori- mental health and ability to complete their anticipated mis- ties for approval. The head of the OSS, William Donovan, sion. Though at this time they had no idea what that mis- fully supported the operation. However, other high com- sion would be. manders did not have as much faith in the plan, and Jed- burgh was not approved by high command until July 1943. The Queen Elizabeth carried the Jed officers to England. She sailed on smooth waters, and her Jeds had a quiet ride. Al- The late approval of the operation left the OSS only four most too quiet, the leisure time allowed the Jeds time to months to recruit, train, and ship men to England. The OSS reflect and wonder of what exactly “hazardous duty” con- spotters were allowed to recruit from any area of the armed sisted. They were relieved when their ship finally docked forces. If someone wished to volunteer, their commander at Glasgow docks on Christmas Eve. The radio operators would not be allowed to stop them. The recruiters flipped were not so fortunate. The same evening the officers docked through files looking for good soldiers who could speak in England, they left the Manhattan dock on the Queen Mary French. When looking for officers, the spotters recruited and began their voyage overseas. The Queen Mary cut her heavily from paratroop units. Men with previous parachut- way across the ocean, making unexpected sharp turns sev- ing experience would find it easier eral times an hour to avoid torpe- to jump into the dark night from a does. A winter storm blew up, and black plane into occupied territory. the Jeds’ trip across the ocean re- Not that it would be an easy jump sembled a roller coaster ride. for anyone, but experience helped. Radio operators were recruited When the Jed officers arrived in from training schools around the England, their training camp was country. The ability to send mes- not yet ready. As they were sages fast was a must for the moved from temporary training operation’s radio operators. The camp to temporary training camp, quicker messages could be sent, the main forces began to gear up the less chance there was that the for the invasion. Many of the Jeds Germans would be able to iden- had volunteered for hazardous tify the radio signal and where it duty to reach the frontlines more originated. One of the recruits, Jedburghs receive instructions from a briefing officer in a quickly by escaping the bureau- Jack Singlaub, a second lieutenant London flat, circa 1944. cracy of the main forces. Instead stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, was a perfect fit for the of being the fast track to action, it appeared that Opera- job because he belonged to a parachute regiment and was a tion Jedburgh was the slow one. demolition officer. Besides, his records indicated that he had studied French. Singlaub was always careful to never At one of the temporary camps, the British put the Ameri- say that he spoke it. Later when he was in France, the cans through more psychological testing. As well as using French would tease him that he spoke “American with a inkblot and word association tests, the Americans were slight French accent.” His accent was so heavy that the thoroughly questioned about their motivations for becom- French feared that even the German officers would notice ing a Jed. Not all of the men passed the examination. it, so they did not allow Singlaub to speak around the Ger- Singlaub knew a few of the men who failed. After a few mans! days of practice living under a false identity, one Jed assumed that the testing had ended when the faculty began The new recruits, referred to as Jeds, were brought to Area buying them drinks one night in a bar. When he was asked F, part of the Congressional Country Club near Washing- by an instructor what he thought of the testing, he revealed ton, D.C., for briefing. The resort was given up by members his real name and what he really thought. Consequently, he of Congress to the OSS for training grounds. Later Area F was removed from the Jedburgh program. According to would become a part of a larger camp renamed Camp Singlaub, another was eliminated “because he had studied David. They were soon moved nearby to Area B, where some abnormal psychology at Cornell. And in some of these the Jeds learned a variety of skills—how to approach an tests, he knew what kind of an answer would really shake enemy quietly and how to kill a man with their bare hands. up a psychiatrist. So he thought that they would have a

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 11 good sense of humor and think it was funny when he ex- ish officers told them that “if your main doesn’t work just plained that he was just joking and pulling their chain. They bring it back, and we’ll give you another one” or “you’re didn’t think it was funny, and they threw him out.” accustomed to American equipment, but ours works all the time.” Unfortunately, the parachutes did not always work. At one camp in Scotland, the Jeds practiced their stealth by A few Jeds were killed or badly injured during practice jumps stalking large game common to the area. They learned to and while parachuting into France. keep hidden during their training when British sharpshooters were hired to introduce them to live fire. If the Jeds At Milton Hall, the Jedburgh teams were formed. The of- allowed themselves to be seen, the sharpshooters shot ficers were allowed to choose their partners; and together nearby, bouncing their bullets off nearby rocks. Singlaub the officers chose a radioman. They termed the pairings found it hard to believe “how anybody could do that with “trial marriages.” If the “marriage” did not work out, the any assurance that you weren’t going to get hit. The object Jeds were allowed to find different partners. By this time it was to avoid being seen; and if you weren’t seen, you weren’t was already late February, and the Jeds still had no idea shot at. That was a high incen- what their mission was going to tive (to learn to stay hidden), and be. It was their last complaint. it really paid off.” Finally on the 24th, a briefing was arranged. The Jeds learned The radio operators arrived in that they were going to be Glasgow one week after the of- dropped over France. Members ficers. Their training quarters of the French Resistance would were finished, and their British be waiting for some of the teams. counterparts were awaiting their Other Jeds would have to find a arrival at Countess Gardens, an Resistance group after they estate forty miles west of Lon- landed. Now training was con- don. The American and British ducted as teams, and the Jeds Jeds met on New Year’s Eve; practiced leading British civilians that night’s party was not a main a “war” against the British jor success. The Americans were Jedburghs load up in front of a B-24 just prior to takeoff. Home Guard. Some teams were unhappy with the food and beds allowed to parachute into differ- provided by the British. Besides, the paratroopers among ent areas of the countryside and practice receiving drops them had received word that they would no longer receive of supplies. their additional “parachute pay.” The British were unhappy when the very first night the Americans stole their girlfriends. As the Jeds trained, other plain-clothed underground op- Later all the French, British, and American Jeds came to- erators were dropped into France. They began blowing up gether at Milton Hall, a large wooded estate ninety miles oil refineries and factories and drying canals. In the first north of London, and conditions changed. The American two months of 1944 alone, they sabotaged 671 locomo- paratroopers received word that their extra pay was restored, tives that would have carried equipment to the frontlines. and the food and living conditions improved. Forgiveness by the British was made easier when the French joined the June 6 finally arrived. The Jeds scattered over the country- group and promptly stole the girls from the Americans. The side were called together. Some of them strapped on their Jeds let go of their grudges, and friendly competition in parachutes for the last time and loaded into the black painted sports matches began among the different nationalities. planes that would carry them to France. Most of them stayed behind and restlessly waited for their opportunity to The Jedburghs now went through British jumping school. leave. Only seven of the 101 Jed teams would parachute Many of the American officers had previously been para- into France during the first four days after D-Day. The other troopers and were qualified jumpers. However, the British teams would follow as they were needed. used slightly different jumping methods than the Ameri- cans. One of their variations from American jumping was Meanwhile the main invasion of France began. Troops jumping without a reserve parachute. The Americans com- poured ashore, but the weather and Germans did not co- plained about the lack of a spare chute, but Singlaub’s Brit- operate with the Allied plans. Don McKee, a soldier in the

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 12 29th Division, was in the third regiment that was supposed trained troops alone. Until the breakout, the Resistance to land on Omaha Beach on the 6th. He was unable to get would be most useful slowing the arrival of the Germans ashore until the next day because the first two regiments at the Normandy beaches. that landed were confronted with stiff resistance by the Germans. McKee said they “couldn’t get off the beach. It And slow the arrival of the Germans they did! Some of the was so fierce because Germans were firing down from these German divisions averaged less than 20 miles of travel a cliffs; and at ten o’clock in the morning, Bradley was so day. The Panzer Lehr division took five days to travel 150 taken back by the lack of progress that he was ready to miles. Some of the German troops had to remain in South- issue an order to send landing craft back into the beach to ern France because of the fear of a complete Resistance pull back all the able-bodied people and bring them back takeover. The average pace of German troops moving to- up to Utah (Beach).” The invasion at Omaha Beach was wards Normandy was 45 miles a day. Under normal condi- saved when five naval destroyers left their positions and, tions, troops could be moved about 180 miles in one day. as McKee recalls: The strategists of Operation They came straight into the beach Jedburgh were right about the at high tide as close as they could effect of the uniformed offic- get, which was like a few hundred ers. Although at times yards offshore. (They) made a right Singlaub was tempted to wear angle turn, and went right down the a farmer’s smock, he found beach in very shallow water, their that “the fact that we were in own safety in jeopardy because if them in defiance of the Ger- they hit a sandbar or something mans gave (the French) en- they’d be sitting ducks….They were couragement. And they able to fire their heavy five-inch guns started finding their old uni- right over the top of the infantry- forms and bringing them out. men, and that is what turned the I eventually concluded that whole invasion around. we were better off to stay in Hitting the beaches at Normandy. Due to poor weather conditions uniform because of the en- With the lack of expected suc- and many of the Allied bombs being dropped too far inland, the couragement this gave to not cess by the Allied troops on D- invasion on D-Day did not go as well as was hoped. It would take only the military volunteers Day, the success of the Resis- weeks to capture territory that was planned to be taken in days. The but for all the citizens.” tance was crucial. Each team slow advance of the Allied troops made Jedburgh’s success critical. Singlaub found that “it was of Jeds dropped over Normandy had a specific important easy to stir up patriotic enthusiasm when we were launch- task to accomplish. The assignment usually consisted of ing an attack or when we were going to put ambushes on blowing up a certain bridge or railroad. After completing some of the roads or knockout some of the bridges.” this, the Jeds would begin to organize, supply, and train the local Resistance members. Then they would have to wait After D-Day, every train leaving Marseille in the Rhone for a coded message over BBC (British Broadcasting Cor- Valley was derailed at least once. One Jed reported that poration) radio indicating that the Allies were ready to railway movement in his area was now nil. The Resistance breakout and it was time to rise against the Germans. Until made 950 cuts in the railway lines in the week after D-Day. then, they were to wait. They could continue to sabotage All over France, the Germans were forced to abandon the key railways, bridges, and roads; but they were not to fight trains and begin a long road trip to Normandy. However, battles or get into skirmishes with the Germans. For the abandoning the trains did not end the Resistance’s sabo- French who had watched the Germans kill and mistreat tage. Road signs were removed to cause wrong turns. Wires their families and friends, putting the sabotage that would were strung across the road to behead German motorcy- be the greatest help to the Allied forces before killing the clists. Children placed lumps of sugar in German gas tanks. Germans was a difficult task. Convincing them to do so One Resistance group in the Ain felled every tree for a mile while arming and training them to fight the Germans was and a half and laid them across the road. The Germans the challenging responsibility of the Jeds. For the almost ordered the residents in the nearby town to clear the road untrained Resistance fighters, it was too dangerous to fight or they would shoot the mayor. The citizens complied. When

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 13 the maquis heard what the citizens had done, they issued In Tulle, a nearby town, the Germans gathered around 3,000 the same threat, so the weary citizens replaced the road- men in the town square. It was decided that 120 maquis block. would die for a recent attack that killed 40 Germans. The Germans searched for the maquis among the men. By the In another instance, after a railway bridge was blown near time that they had chosen 120 victims, only two real maquis Toulouse by Team Quinine, the Germans were again forced had been identified. They began to hang the men. After 99 to take to the road. They now had to pass through Team were hanged, the Germans ran out of rope and the remain- Quinine’s territory. In one night, three roadblocks by felled ing 21 were allowed to live. The killings in these two towns trees were set up. In the first, a mine was planted. In the took place because the Germans had heard a false rumor second, greased grenades were hidden. In the third, there that maquis in Oradour had captured a German official were no explosives at all. At the first roadblock, the Ger- and were planning on publicly executing him. Tulle was mans spent an hour moving a tank to the front of the line chosen because Resistance fighters had briefly captured the to push away the trees. Upon doing so, town, and the Germans claimed they the tank turned, hit the mine, and cre- had killed and mutilated the bodies of ated a larger roadblock than it had 40 Germans there. eliminated. A half hour was spent finding another tank to pull the first away. Later when Singlaub’s team, Team At the second roadblock, troops were James, parachuted into Southern sent to look for mines before the trees France in mid-August, they learned were removed. A soldier bumped a gre- quickly to inform all the civilians that nade and lost his life. At the third road- they were going to blow a bridge or block, the Germans spent an hour conduct other Resistance activity be- looking for the grenades and mines that fore actually doing it. They told the did not exist. The entire delay caused civilians, so that the civilians could pre- was six hours. pare for the German reprisals. Singlaub recalls: Each delay the Resistance caused was not very long, but it was long enough The Germans felt that they could determine that even the Germans realized that when we did that, which French homes were such delays could lose them the war. Members of the maquis executed by the Nazis. loyal to them and which were part of the They began to purge the countryside Throughout the length of the war, the Germans Resistance because if we were setting off a of Resistance fighters. The Germans killed over 30,000 Frenchmen, with 75,000 more charge for a bridge, it would knock out win- managed to kill or arrest many maquis. dying in Nazi concentration camps. dows in the houses in the area. If we told Thirty-five “generals” and eighty-five “colonels” of the them to open their windows, then their windows weren’t broken. The Secret Army were arrested. Team Frederick’s headquarters French thought that was a pretty good thing, but it was clear indica- were surrounded. The team managed to escape with their tion to the Germans that houses (with) windows intact must have lives but without their radios. Without the radios, the team had them open when the charge went off or their windows would be was useless to the Allies because they had no way to com- broken. So that was the kind of interplay that would we had to municate with headquarters. work with.

However, many of the victims had no connection to the As the Resistance tried to prevent the Germans from reach- “terrorist” attacks. In Oradour, a small Correze town with ing Normandy, the Allies fought to get off its beaches. In a population near 650, the entire population was rounded the seven days after D-Day, the Allied troops had only up by the Germans. More than 400 women and children managed to get a mile or two from the beach. One of the were ordered into the church, the men into various other obstacles they faced was Normandy’s unique terrain. Don buildings. The men were first shot, and then the buildings McKee, fighting with the 29th, described it as having fields they were in were set on fire. After this, the church was lit, about the size of football fields, only square. The fields and the screaming women and children inside were silenced were separated by earthen dikes that were higher than by rifle fire and grenades. Total deaths were 642. McKee’s head. Roads ran straight between some of the dikes. He says:

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 14 Out of the top of these dikes vegetation grew; and (it was) there for hold their own against professional soldiers. Nevertheless, so many years, it would just be covered over. So you were in effect the maquis were very useful in keeping the Germans occu- going down these roads, and you couldn’t see the sky because of the pied with more worries than just defending themselves vegetation. Anyway, these got to be called hedgerows. You never re- against the Allied armies. Later Eisenhower would state ally did any advancing up a road like this because it wasn’t wide that the French Resistance had done the work of 15 divi- enough to carry many people, but the Germans were smart enough to sions while contributing to the Allied victory in the put guns (at the end of the road) and could fire right down that Normandy campaign. road, so you didn’t go up that road very often. The Jeds continued to operate during the liberation of Because they were unable to advance down the roads, the France. Several teams were dropped in to perform the same troops were forced to advance Resistance work for the Allied through the fields and over the landing in Southern France. hedgerows. When the tanks Over thirty teams of Jeds would get near the top of the would be dropped in late Au- hedgerow, their unprotected gust to help slow the retreat of underbellies would be exposed the Germans from France. The to the German guns. This dan- more Germans that were cap- ger slowed the Allied advance. tured or killed before they McKee believes that it really crossed the Rhine River, the helped their advance when, fewer the Allies would have to deal with when they invaded Some wise guy back on the beach, Germany. Jack Singlaub would an American, figured out that they receive the surrender of two could take the steel stuff that was German garrisons at Brive and on the beach to protect you (you see Tulle. After the war was over, the pictures of it). It was all The author with Major General John K. Singlaub, USA (Ret) in 2006. he would go on to serve in wrecked and sitting there as scrap China and Korea. After the iron. (They) figured they could take that and weld it to the front of end of the war in Europe, Don McKee was transferred to the tank with two prongs out like that. Then these tanks could come the Pacific. Fortunately, he never saw combat, thanks to lickity-split up here and dig these into the hedgerow and then push the deployment of the atomic bomb over Nagasaki, which with a lot of force right on through so you had a hole in there. Now compelled the Japanese to finally surrender. McKee would the infantry could go in without having to climb over the top. later return home to Michigan and complete his degree at Ann Arbor. Daniel Funk of the 28th Infantry Division After six weeks of battle, on July 20, the 29th Division served in the army and the reserves for a total of 18 years, finally made it to the Periers-Saint Lo road, about ten miles after which he also retired into civilian life. It was because from the beach. Before the Allies had landed at Normandy, of men like these, who parachuted behind enemy lines and they had planned to reach this position in a week. Here the stormed the beaches of Normandy, that the war in Europe parts of the 28th, 2nd, and 35th Divisions joined the 29th was won, and the evil of the Nazi regime was finally extin- to capture the town of St. Lo and break out from the guished. beaches. After taking St. Lo, the Allies began to move more rapidly. Laura Ymker is a senior studying history at Dakota Wesleyan University. She grew up on a small farm in southeastern South Dakota Her grandfa- The French Resistance finally received the message over ther served in Britain during World War II. She also has three cousins and the BBC radio to rise against the Germans on August 2. one uncle in the South Dakota National Guard. Two of whom have served Now instead of only targeting objects such as bridges and on a tour of duty in Iraq. Another cousin is currently serving in the Air Force. For the last couple of years, she has worked with the elderly in long- railroads, the Jeds and their maquis were to ambush and term healthcare. Laura’s future plans include studying history and becoming kill Germans. Their ambushes were quick, and they were a world traveler. to flee from the scene before the Germans could collect themselves to return fire. In spite of the Allied troops arriving to help them, they were not expected to be able to

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 15 The Story of Two Men on Iwo As Told Through Their Letters By Mary Beth Kennedy Voda

On a sunny Monday in May 1944, 25 year-old housewife mile volcanic island lies near the midpoint of a route B-29 Milly Kennedy fidgets on a park bench in Elizabeth, New Superfortresses fly between the Mariana Islands and the Jersey. Her long, slender fingers nervously twist pale pink Japanese mainland, which the United States has bombed rosary beads as she whispers pleading prayers. Two-year- steadily since the summer of 1944. Iwo Jima is the only old Mary Beth and one-year-old Tommy play on the grass island in that part of the Pacific that is able to accommo- by her feet. Inside a nearby hospital, Milly’s husband, Tom, date a runway and is needed as a base for the fighter planes tired of feeling like a slacker who is not contributing to the escorting the B-29s as well as a stopover for injured planes. war effort, hears the doctor pronounce him fit for military duty. He walks out of the hospital, struggling with con- The Japanese know Iwo Jima is a target and prepare for its flicting feelings of pride and apprehension. As Tom strides invasion. General Kuribayashi orders the building of more toward the family he adores, Milly looks into his shining, than 750 gun emplacements, blockhouses with concrete blue eyes and knows that her prayers were not answered. walls, miles of tunnels, and 1,000 pillboxes. He recognizes the superiority of American For Milly and Tom Kennedy, the forces and plans a strategy that waning years of World War II test will keep his 22,000 troops un- their courage, their patriotism, derground as long as possible. and their love. Tom’s decision to enlist is not an easy one, and he Although separated by age and struggles with a sense of duty to culture, General Kuribayashi and his young family as well as to his Pfc. Kennedy share similar ties country. In the end, war service to home that join them in a uni- wins out, and he enlists in the versal bond. Kuribayashi is a United States Marine Corps. In Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi and Pvt. Tom Kennedy: devoted family man who corre- June 1944 he leaves for basic two men, far from home, whose families were always at the sponds regularly with his wife training in Camp Lejeune, NC, front of their minds. Yoshie, their son Taro, and their facing the prospect that he, Milly, daughters, Yohko and Takako. and their children might never see each other again. Tom and Milly Kennedy write to each other daily during the 18 months they are separated, sometimes as many as As 25 year-old Pfc. Tom Kennedy reports to boot camp, three letters a day. another husband and father begins a final military mission for his country. On June 22, l944, 53 year-old Lt. General Writing one warm, summer evening, Milly expresses her Tadamichi Kuribayashi, a widely-respected Japanese officer, loneliness and fears in a brief letter. She implores Tom to assumes overall command of Japanese defense operations be careful and ends with a plaintive request: “Couldn’t you on Iwo Jima. His assignment is accompanied by a sobering fall off a Jeep and get discharged?” His reply attempts to admonition from Japanese Premier General Hideki Tojo, reassure her that he is well: who warns him, “The entire Army and the nation will de- pend on you for the defense of that key island.” Neither Hello Darling, Kuribayashi nor Kennedy knows that when the battle is over, only one of them will return to his wife and children. I just received a short note from you and wanted to tell you that you’re worrying entirely too much about me. I’m fine, and the safety pre- Strategically, Iwo Jima (the name means Sulfur Island) be- cautions that they have here are so tight that no one gets hurt unless comes a top priority in the American war effort in 1944. they’re really stupid. There is always a senior officer or instructor Located 650 miles southeast of Tokyo, the eight-square-

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 16 with us, and I’m watching out for myself all the time. I have too ing and lying down. Right now I’m sitting on the top sack in our much to come home to for me to get careless. compartment. I doubt if you know what the sleeping facilities are like, but there are rows of bunks and I’m on the top bunk, close to When we go to the rifle range each morning we have to watch a the ceiling. training film before we start shooting. Most of the fellows fall asleep because it’s so early in the morning. But so far I have kept wide It’s interesting to see the reactions of the fellows as we move closer to awake. I don’t want to miss any small detail that may help me our target. They try to keep busy and find things to do so that the qualify as an expert or that may help save my life if and when I see hours will pass by faster. Some play cards, checkers, shoot dice, combat. read, write, talk in gab sessions and play games. Anything to keep the mind occupied. I usually read or gab with some of the fellows. Since Tom Kennedy has yet to see actual combat, his and Mostly we discuss the forthcoming operation, our chances of beating Milly’s tender expressions are in stark contrast to the dire the Japs in a short time, counterattacks. situation General Kuribayashi describes to his wife, Yoshie. When she writes to complain of wartime hardships in To- I promise to write every day right up until the last minute, my Dar- kyo, the General answers her letter with a description of ling. I know you won’t be getting these letters for a while, but I won’t the conditions he faces on miss a day. Iwo Jima: When General Kuri- Our sole source of supply is rain- bayashi learns of the Japa- water. I have a cup of water to nese Combined Naval wash my face – actually, my eyes Fleet’s devastating losses at only, then Lieutenant Fujita [his Midway, he realizes there aide] uses the water. After he will be no naval support is through with it, I keep it for forthcoming. Resigned to toilet purposes. The soldiers, in certain defeat, he tells one general, don’t even have that of his officers, “Japan has much. Every day, after I’ve reached the end of the inspected defense positions, I road.” In a letter to dream in vain of drinking a Tom Kennedy, third from left, with his fellow Marines. Nearly 100,000 Yoshie, he prepares her cup of cool water. There are Americans took part in the battle for Iwo Jima, taking on a firmly entrenched for his inevitable death. Japanese defense of nearly 21,000. The carnage was tremendous, on both sides. a lot of flies. Also many cock- roaches crawl all over us. They are very dirty. Fortunately, there are The enemy may land on this island soon. Once they do, we must no snakes or poisonous reptiles. follow the fate of those on Attu and Saipan. Our officers and men know about “Death” very well. I am sorry to end my life here, Beginning in December 1944, the U.S. Navy bombards Iwo fighting the United States of America, but I want to defend this Jima day and night in preparation for the February 19, 1945 island as long as possible and to delay the enemy air raids on Tokyo. attack. Tom Kennedy, now a part of the 4th Marine Divi- Ah! You have worked well for a long time as my wife and the sion, has traveled from Camp Lejeune to Camp Maui, the mother of my three children. Your life will become harder and more Division’s pre-combat training ground. When the 4th heads precarious. Watch out for your health and live long. The future of out, Tom writes a last letter to Milly from a troop ship on our children will not be easy either. Please take care of them after course for Iwo Jima. He prepares Milly, but also himself, my death. for what will become one of the costliest (almost 7,000 U.S. dead; estimated 20,000 Japanese killed) battles of A bright February 19, 1945, with blue skies and a gentle World War II. Milly doesn’t receive this letter until after it breeze provides unlimited visibility for the Iwo Jima D-Day is over. landing forces. At first, the Marines are met with little resistance, but after the first wave of soldiers pounds ashore, Hello My Sweethearts, concealed Japanese defenders open fire. From then on, the leathernecks are faced with two foes: a tenacious force of Well, all I can say is that since I’ve been in the Marine Corps I’ve Japanese troops hidden throughout the island’s labyrinth written letters in every position imaginable, sitting, standing, kneel- of tunnels and bunkers and Iwo Jima’s formidable terrain

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 17 in the form of loose volcanic ash which makes forward seeing my officers and men die without regret after struggling in this progress agonizingly slow. inch-by-inch battle against an overwhelming enemy with many tanks and being exposed to indescribable bombardments… I would like For 37 days, the Marines grind their way forward, and dur- now to apologize to my senior and fellow officers for not being strong ing a brief respite, Tom Kennedy scrawls a note to Milly on enough to stop the enemy invasion. a scrap of paper given to him by another soldier. Still shaken, he describes a recent banzai attack, the name de- The battle for Iwo Jima, which had begun strategically on riving from the Japanese August 9, 1944 with a 72- battle cry “Tenno heika day bombing marathon, banzai – Long Live the ends on March 16, 1945 as Emperor.” the U.S. forces declare the island secured. Although Some Japs crawled up out of he suffers shrapnel wounds their holes in the early hours of to the shoulder, Tom the morning and charged our Kennedy survives the Ma- foxholes. They crawled to rine Corps’ bloodiest battle, within ten feet of one fellow and and by March 19, he and started yelling, “Hey Corps- the last units of the Fourth man.” Our fellow asked him Marine Division board ship for the password, but he still American forces storm ashore on Iwo Jima, as Mt. Suribachi looms in the and sail for Maui, Hawaii yelled, “Hey Corpsman.” All background. Here, nearly the entire Japanese garrison, including General where he assures Milly that he wanted was for some fellow Kuribayashi, would lose their lives. “…all the danger is past, to show himself so the Jap could throw a hand grenade in his hole. and I’m now where it’s plenty safe.” The kid saw him and killed him. The 4th Marine Division remains based on When they pull one of their banzai charges, they Maui through the summer and fall of 1945 gather together in a big group and start yelling. Then and resumes training for future operations. some of their officers start waving swords above their When President Harry Truman announces heads and shout, “Banzai, banzai.” While they Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 14, scream, they charge. Of course our guns cut them 1945, the 4th becomes the first division to down like flies, Milly, but it is scary listening to them return home. Tom Kennedy learns that he scream like that. has accumulated enough points for release from the service in October and writes the In one of his last messages to Tokyo, General letter his family has been anticipating: Kuribayashi reports: Hello My Three Adorable Darlings, The battle is approaching its end. Since the enemy’s landing, even the Gods would weep at the bravery Tom Kennedy with his Yes, it’s true. I’m coming home at last. young family shortly after of the officers and men under my command… [My] returning home. men died one by one and I regret very much that I On a brisk November Sunday, an elated Pfc. have allowed the enemy to occupy a piece of Japanese territory. Tom Kennedy jumps off a train and runs to embrace his joyful family, their arms outstretched, their faces wreathed In early March, as fighting draws to a close, General in smiles. Kuribayashi relays a radio message to the Japanese Army’s Vice Chief of Staff: Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi’s body is never recov- ered. We are sorry indeed we could not have defended the island success- Mary Beth Kennedy Voda is a writer, speaker, and adjunct teacher at Keystone College, LaPlume, fully. Now I, Kuribayashi, believe that the enemy will invade Japan PA. A native of New Jersey, she now lives in rural, northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband proper from this island…I am very sorry because I can imagine the John. They have two sons, Matt and John and three grandchildren, Erin, Taylor and Matthew. scenes of disaster in our empire. However, I comfort myself a little,

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 18 Return to Pisa By William D. Kaufman

It took me more than 45 years to get back to Pisa. Almost The Germans had a number of advantages over us. To begin half a century to make the return trip. The first time I was with, they were highly experienced infantry troops. They there I was part of an infantry task force which was dug had fought and slowly retreated for more than a year from into the south bank of the Arno River. The Germans were the toe of Italy to their present position a few miles below on the other side. their formidable Gothic line. In contrast we were brand new to infantry warfare. Until three I suppose it would be more days ago we were an antiaircraft accurate to say that the time I was battalion, with considerable action in Pisa as a soldier I was only half in North Africa and Italy, that had there. The Arno River, a not very been on its way to the Naples significant slash of water which staging area for the imminent winds its way across the belly of invasion of Southern France. most of Italy, cuts the city in half. The southern half, which we Somewhere enroute from Rome occupied for several weeks, was we were given new orders not a very impressive piece of converting us into an infantry task terrain. Except for the commercial force which was assigned to avenue that hugged our side of the replace elements of an infantry river front, it was a hodge-podge division in the Pisa line. In the next of little houses, many of them two days we were given a “crash” quite ancient, some tiny shops, a course in infantry tactics and small number of minor factories, issued the necessary mortars, a few modest churches. Somewhat further to the rear there BARs, and portable machine guns that came with the was a scattering of fields and meadows and some territory. farmhouses, one of which we set up as our headquarters. We moved into our positions late at night hoping to keep The north side of the Arno, the German side, was something the Germans unaware of the activity going on in our side else. Here was the Pisa the world comes to see. Within its of the Arno River. We were cautioned to move in as silently center, no more than a half-mile from our positions, is found as possible, and we did, but no one had advised the troops the famous Piazza del Duomo, the square on which there we were replacing to depart the same way. There seems to sits the Leaning Tower, the great cathedral and its jewel- be a tradition in warfare that those who leave do so with an like Baptistery. About a mile beyond the Piazza is the abandon that is as loud as it is quick. And that was the way ancient University of Pisa, built in the 12th century and for it went that night. The Germans either slept through the a time the classroom of Galileo, inventor of the new din and clatter or chose not to fire their mortars to avoid universe. retaliatory fire from our side.

It was within this cache of Renaissance splendor that a We set up our command post in the old stone farmhouse division of German troops was dug in, as were we, waiting which was about a mile back of our forward companies. It for the attack they knew would come. They were huddled must have been built centuries ago from rock and stone within the large stone buildings that faced our side of the hewed out of the Apennines which loomed not far off in river bank. At times we could hear them talk, and when the the distance. I was quartered in a low-ceiling storeroom breeze was right, we could smell the aroma of their cooking. which was vacant except for a bad-smelling massive dog of unidentifiable lineage. When I sacked down for the night, I

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 19 tried to expel him, but as I approached his direction he large flat meadow that had been used as a landing strip by growled ever louder and with such sincerity that I retreated the Germans. This airstrip was under the direct and total to another corner of the room. We shared our quarters for observation of the enemy. When they abandoned it, they the duration. buried mines all over the place. Subsequently a narrow roadway was cleared of mines by engineers of the division A few days into our infantry role we were visited by a two- we had replaced. star general from the 5th Army who gave us orders that hadn’t been written down. He told us what we had already We observers traveled the cleared roadway, initially by heard from the commander of the unit we had replaced. bicycle, but later only on foot. It was wide enough to That the Piazza del Duomo with its Leaning Tower, accommodate a jeep which we dared not use by day because Cathedral and Baptistery was a no-fire of the dust it raised. The roadway was zone. This meant that we were not to largely out of rifle range, but well direct any fire at all into the Piazza within the reach of mortars. area. We all knew that the Germans were using the Tower and the I was the first observer to go. The Cathedral for observation and sniper Germans must have sensed that I was purposes. Nevertheless under no new to the territory because on that circumstances were we to send in any first time out I was targeted by a retaliatory fire. We had mixed feelings couple of rounds of mortar fire which about this restriction. On the one hit a distance behind me. I abandoned hand we knew the Piazza was one of my bicycle in a hurry and from that the treasures of medieval Europe. On day on walked both ways. the other hand, it was our ass that was on the line. Under the circumstances, Once I reached my destination I it was somewhat difficult to be wasted no time focusing the Piazza philosophical about the situation. directly into my vision and into my head. It was for me an unforgettable To ensure that this prohibition was sight. The three monuments of the enforced, our unit was ordered to Renaissance appeared immaculate in transmit daily eyewitness reports to the clear July sun. Through my the 5th Army describing the condition binoculars I could spot imperfections of Pisa’s landmarks area. The general The famed Leaning Tower of Pisa still stands on the round Romanesque Baptistery informed us that our first-hand virtually undamaged, despite intense fighting and the somewhat ungraceful accounts would be sent directly to the surrounding it during 1944. The building in Cathedral that stood alongside it. But attention of General George C. front if it, however, was not so lucky, as evidenced these were casualties of age, not Marshall himself. by the damage surrounding the window. battle. The marble tower listed gently in my direction and I could clearly I was one of three officers in our Command Post who were spot German soldiers on its top three levels looking intently delegated to do the up-front observation. The assignment in my direction. I think one of them caught the glare of my itself was not difficult. It involved going to our most elevated binoculars and I hastily ducked out of sight. forward position overlooking the Arno River, which happened to be a thick stone bank building, the highest in I knew I must one day climb that tower and see Pisa the our portion of Pisa. From there an observer would scan the way it was meant to be seen. I began to welcome these Piazza area through high-powered binoculars. The tricky observation jaunts which I made every fourth day. I could part of the mission was getting to the bank building. barely wait to get to my perch in the bank building and renew the viewing I began to know so well. The farmhouse in which we were quartered was sheltered by a small clump of trees which kept it out of the view of One morning as I was rushing along the border of the airstrip, the enemy. To reach the bank building we would have to I saw that a cow had wandered into the mined area. How it get through the clump of trees which then put us onto a had penetrated that deeply into the field I could not

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 20 understand. As I stood there, its luck ran out. The cow took and, I thought, angry look on his boyish face. A few feet a step towards me and set off a mine. In the split second of away his helmet lay flat on its open side. It showed a clean the blast I saw the unfortunate beast rise several inches in hole in front, a quarter of an inch in diameter, and where the air. Its four legs seemed to detach themselves from the the bullet penetrated the back, it plowed out five or six rest of it as if hanging in limbo, while the body rose steadily jagged spikes which jutted outward like tines on a fork. I higher, suddenly breaking apart into a thousand chunks of was left badly shaken, my head pulsating from the metallic bone and flesh and blotches of hide. Almost belatedly the crash of the spent bullet against my helmet, my mind tattered four legs were sucked into the eye of the blast and joined by the sudden impact of death. the pieces of gore that flew everywhere. It was like a scene in slow motion. A week before our task force was relieved by “real” infantry troops, I was As the days ticked by, there was not on my way back to the farmhouse to too much activity in our section of the send my report to the 5th Army Arno front. Our orders were to hold Headquarters. As I was winding through our positions and take no offensive the streets beyond the river, a staff action. The Germans appeared to be sergeant I knew stopped and told me quite willing to keep things quiet too. he could use my help. He said that he There was random rifle and machine and two men from his squad were gun fire and occasionally we would lob tracking down a German sniper who out a few mortar rounds and they would had crossed the river during the night. return the compliment. We suffered He thought they had him holed up in a some casualties, but they were light. house close to where we stood. I said I’d help, and he stationed me about 40 One morning, having completed my or 50 feet from the front door of the inspection of the Plaza earlier than house. usual, I went down from my observation spot to the floor below towards a “We got the other sides covered,” he large office which was being used as said. “In about a minute I’m gonna William Kaufman (center) with the 439th’s supply a platoon headquarters and an eating officer, Roger Hinez, and the battalion’s executive bust through the back door and go area. I always stopped by for a hot officer, Maj. John Werges, at Cassino in 1944. after him. If he comes out the front, cup of coffee. I entered the premises shoot the bastard. You hear me, sir? on hands and knees to avoid exposure to the large window This guy’s a killer. Shoot him dead!” he said as he took off that faced a building across the river which was occupied for the rear of the house by the Germans. I got myself a deep cup of coffee and squatted on the floor with my back against the protected I positioned myself behind a tree and sighted my carbine at wall. The coffee was hot and the room was sweaty. I was the center of the door. I anticipated where he would be drinking rather listlessly when one of the platoon mortar when he opened it and sighted the barrel at the approximate men walked into the room, straight as an arrow, intent on spot his head would come out. Then I dropped my sight getting himself a fast cup of coffee. He carried his just a little bit lower to where his chest would be. Better aluminum container in his right hand and had forgotten to there, I thought. My hand was steady, surprisingly steady, hunker down to avoid exposing himself to the window. He but not my head. I wasn’t sure I could do this thing. Could had gone no more than a step or two when he was hit square I pull the trigger? on the forehead by a sniper from across the river. I hoped he would come out waving something white. What The mortar man was dead before he hit the floor. The bullet if he didn’t? Could I do this? This was different from which had penetrated his steel helmet, front and back, shooting down planes. That was a game. Hit the elusive careened off the wall and struck the helmet I was wearing target. There, we were killing planes. Pilots and crew were with such force that it knocked off the bar that had been part of the equipment. You never saw them. I would see soldered to it. The dead soldier was lying there flat on his this guy’s face. Could I kill it? back, his blue eyes wide open and staring upward, a surprised

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 21 I never found out. The staff sergeant came from the back The three structures I had come to see were so much larger of the house and told me the sniper wasn’t there. They than the image I had painted into my head. Especially the apparently had been given the wrong information. I Torre Pendente, the Leaning Tower, which seemed to list continued my walk back to the farmhouse relieved and tired so much more precipitously than before. I began to mount and confused. the 294 steps that led to the top, stopping at each of six balconies on the way up. When I reached the fourth balcony, We moved out at night about a week later, very much the I recalled that the Germans had set up a machine-gun way we moved in, except that this time it was we who made emplacement here. On the two balconies above it, German the noise. We were not unhappy to leave. We had survived, soldiers had stood smoking cigarettes and looking intently which in the infantry is the name of the game. We felt pretty in our direction for movements and shadows. good about ourselves. We did nothing very heroic, but then again we didn’t screw up either. On the top of the tower there was a narrow walkway, perhaps four or five After Pisa, we rejoined our antiaircraft feet wide flanked on both sides by a pair guns which had been left under guard of steel railings, that circled the near Leghorn and headed slowly south walkway. As I walked around it, I to the Naples staging area. We were too strained for a glimpse of a small green late for the invasion of Southern France, meadow which had once served as but got there shortly thereafter and landing strip for small planes. I knew it advanced north with the Seventh Army. would have been no more than a mile from where I stood. But it was not to We had an easy go of things that fall in be seen and I felt let down. I had wanted Burgundy, but that didn’t last very long very much to walk along its edge back as we went into Lorraine and later in to the farmhouse I knew was no longer Alsace. Winter was not very kind to us, there. either in battle or weather, and during the Bulge breakthrough, we retreated Somewhat later I dropped into the for the first time from the airfields we tourist office and inquired about the were guarding in the Alsace. Late winter The emblem of the 439th AAA Automatic missing airstrip. The attendant searched and spring we advanced into Germany Weapons Battalion. through a number of city charts and as far as Heidelberg and the war ended discovered where it had once been. He early in May. showed me that the meadow was now layered over with a housing development that was open to veterans of Italy’s We had been overseas two years when the war ended and military service. I’m not sure whether this revelation made had accumulated a mixed bag of memories. In my mind, me happy or sad. the most vivid of these was the five weeks we served on the wrong side of Pisa. I think that most of us left there Now that I have completed the round trip, I continue to with a feeling of unfulfilment. We had come to Pisa, yet we think about those 35 days in Pisa. I know that nothing very had never been there. It was like arriving at the railroad important happened there. We didn’t shorten the war by a station of a great metropolis and never getting off the train. fraction of second. Nor did we lengthen it. Pisa answered I vowed that I would one day get off the train. questions about our fitness as soldiers. This is very important to someone who has experienced war. Yet there are questions And I did – more than 45 years later on my first return trip that will always be unanswered. To this day I don’t know to the Europe I had known as a soldier. Italy was my first whether I would have pulled the trigger on that sniper who stop and I began a slow retracing of the campaign trail our never came out of the door. battalion took when it landed four miles below Naples in early November of 1943. I began the slow journey northward William Kaufman was Adjutant for the 439th AAA (AW) Bn. in World War stopping in Caserta, Cassino, Rome, Viterbo and Leghorn. II. He served in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany, and was appointed to staff of USSTAF Headquarters in 1945. He now lives in Commack, New York. Finally I came to Pisa. This time I was situated on the right side of the Arno. My first stop was the Piazza.

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 22 AWOL in Alaska By Dr. Walter E. Howard

In the early years of World War II, the Japanese success- presented it to my first sergeant, who was “old Army” and fully invaded the United States. This is something most not very smart. He was so mad at the private suggesting people don’t know about and our government is reluctant what the army should do that he tore it up, threw it in the to acknowledge. But I saw the evidence first hand and would wastebasket and put me on KP duty. like to tell you about my experience of this forgotten chapter of the war. The Kiska Island assignment lasted from July 11 to December 22, 1943. Not much Kiska is a remote Aleutian Island not far has been written about this small chapter from Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, and of the war. It is important to remember, I was there as a private in the 87th Moun- however, because it was an invasion of tain Infantry Regiment. I stitched this ac- U.S. soil. Also, many soldiers became hard- count together from the notes I kept while ened there and were better prepared for I was there, and from letters saved by my future engagements. wife and parents. The letters sometimes differed from my memory of the events After obtaining the required written sup- (I was 89 in April 2006), so in deference port about my mountaineering and skiing to accuracy I trusted these letters more skills from the National Ski Patrol in Au- than my memory. burn, California, I was able to successfully enlist in the ski troops at the Presidio in To start my three and one-half years of Monterey on December 5, 1942. Follow- duty in World War II, I foolishly volun- ing the mountaineer training at Camp teered for the ski troops. Even though I Hale, on July 29, 1943, we boarded ship had ROTC and had almost completed my in San Francisco. As we started up the PhD at the University of Michigan, Pearl gangplank, the Red Cross gave each of Harbor infuriated me so much that it The author during training at Camp Hale. us an invaluable gift bag containing ciga- made me want to serve my country. I rettes, gum, a sewing kit, razor blades, wanted to help drive the Germans out of Norway, where shoestrings, a deck of cards, pencils, writing tablets, and many of us thought the snow troops would go. envelopes. My pack with weapon weighed more than 100 pounds, but we were all fit and used to carrying heavy packs, I was drawn to the ski troops because I love the mountains even in the snow. and loved to ski, having first put on skis in 1927. I started my military basic training in mountain, snow and winter Our ship, S.S. Zeillin, sailed north through the Inland Pas- warfare on December 12, 1942 at Camp Hale, Colorado, in sage to Alaska. Our contingent included three other troop I Company of the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, which ships, several destroyers, and for a short distance, a blimp. later became the storied 10th Mountain Division. The islands and the rugged mountains were all covered with a dense green coniferous forest that was mostly unin- Morale was very bad at Camp Hale. Everyone was de- habited as best I could tell. It was a beautiful sight. pressed. One reason for this was the lack of training manuals for mountain operations. Consequently, lots of foolish mis- Sleeping quarters on the ship were very crowded. I had three takes were made. Many soldiers put in for a transfer, even bunks beneath me. The situation was barely tolerable, so I into more hazardous military duty, but they were all de- slept either on deck or in a lifeboat most of the time. Oth- nied. On one alpine maneuver, while snuggled in my down erwise, it was a very pleasant cruise. The Navy was hospi- sleeping bag in a one-man pup tent, by candlelight I wrote table and accommodating. We had lots of free time except a long list of suggestions on how our mountain training for guard duty. After our Camp Hale chow, we thought the could be improved. When we got back to camp I proudly food was fresh and extra good. We were free to roam around

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 23 the ship. Morale of the ski troopers was greatly improved I don’t think anyone would have shot him, but it was fun over what it had been at Camp Hale. to toy with him.

After very little sleep on the ship and hearing many dis- Visibility was very poor because of the fog. After we got turbing rumors about what lay ahead, we all became tense our foxholes dug, the battalion commander sent out an and anxious. Rumors were flying about thousands of Japa- alarm warning us that the enemy was advancing at our front. nese soldiers waiting to kill us on Kiska. Our ship and sev- Then he followed by saying that they may be coming from eral others loaded with young, inexperienced soldiers were any direction, which meant that anyone moving about in ordered to Kiska to invade the island and root out the en- the fog stood a good chance of getting shot. emy. As we approached our destination everyone’s nerves became very tense. Next, our frightened commander ordered a platoon leader to bring a squad to help protect the command post. Fortu- The mountain troops were nately, my platoon leader to scale a steep mountain didn’t offer to oblige him. on the north side of Kiska, But Lt. Funk, of the Funk while the Navy bombarded and Wagnalls dictionary the harbor beach and used family, felt that orders were landing craft to make a orders, so he agreed to head mock landing. Because of a squad through the fog to the fog we could not see the the command post. He se- top of the mountain, only lected a route that suppos- the rugged, rocky and steep edly bypassed all friendly shoreline. Our mission was troops. Unfortunately this to take the ridge and then was not the case and his wait for new orders. We group headed right into some of our own dug-in scrambled up the moun- Located toward the western end of the Aleutian Islands, Kiska was seized by tain without ropes. As we the Japanese on June 6, 1942. A small U.S. Navy weather detachment on the soldiers. With all the fog climbed, we heard many island at the time was captured. The island of Attu, located to the northwest and noise from the Navy’s loud explosions, mostly of Kiska, was taken the very next day. While the military significance of Kiska bombing and other explo- from the Navy’s big guns was debatable, the psychological impact of the loss of U.S. territory was real. sions, there was no way on the other side of the is- American forces bombed Kiska several times during the Japanese occupation, the opposing soldiers hoping to soften its defenses before launching their own invasion. land. The noise was so could identify each other. great that often I could not hear other members of my squad. Lt. Funk’s group approached the dug-in soldiers, and mis- Nervous soldiers fired at anything they thought was the taking them for the enemy, started tossing hand grenades enemy. A tracer shell that hit a rock and ricocheted gave at them. To survive, the dug-in soldiers had no choice but the impression that someone was shooting at you. We were to open fire on the advancing soldiers, even though they all scared stiff. knew they were Americans. Two officers, including Lt. Funk, and nine soldiers were killed. Eleven other soldiers At one point during the ascent I came upon a Japanese were wounded. This distressed us all, but such tragedies machine gun emplacement. I assumed the enemy had re- are part of the cost of war. We felt lucky it hadn’t involved treated further up and left the gun behind. Not until later our company. did we discover that the firing pins had been removed from these abandoned guns to that we would not be able to use We then began settling in for the long haul. A patrol needed them. to go find the enemy before the enemy zeroed in on us. My squad leader insisted that I not be the point person, as I By the time we had reached the ridge in the fog, everyone’s was the only one of the volunteers who was married and nerves were shot but all of us worked like badgers digging had a child. But, having suggested the patrol, I wanted to our foxholes. My first sergeant, who was the dimmest bulb go. Lt. Harris, 11 men, and I went, with my young friend in the company, was so afraid of his own men that he made Ken Bayliss as point person. our popular bugler share a foxhole with him for protection. The Navy was still bombarding the harbor beach and it was foggy. We hadn’t slept in three days. On our search for

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 24 the enemy, we spread apart as much as possible yet still cold to prevent growth of any forest or chaparral. The larg- maintained visual contact with the next soldier. One of est bushes were only a foot or so tall. When weather was our soldiers fired a shot. We quickly gathered around him clear, the hills were beautiful and more like foothills than to look for a dead or wounded enemy soldier. We couldn’t mountains. When covered with snow the hills would ap- find one. pear as if they were a long way off. It was hard walking on the tundra and became more so when it snowed. Actually, Shortly thereafter I found my first Japanese canteen. They there was some form of precipitation almost every day we were very different from ours — flat instead of bulging were there. The best weather was from late August to early like ours, almost like a whiskey flask. We assembled a sec- October. ond time to look for another presumed dead enemy soldier shot by the same private. We didn’t find one, so I asked After I awoke from my 15-hour nap in my foxhole, I went him to describe the Japanese soldier he had shot. His de- out to explore. It seemed increasingly likely that the Japa- scription was very detailed but he described a canteen that nese had escaped from the island, so we let our guard down looked like ours. The enemy and began doing silly, foolish soldier was obviously the things. We discovered many product of inadequate sleep, crawl-sized caves the Japanese fog and nerves. We never drew had dug. One fairly large cache any real enemy fire on this out- of ammunition that we found ing and began to suspect that was well concealed with net- perhaps there were no Japanese ting and tundra. We built a fire on the island. nearby and took turns throwing enemy ammunition into the My foxhole was very wet when fire. It was quite thrilling and we returned to the company, utterly stupid. We quit after one so I dug a ledge on one side of unknown item thrown into the the trench that I could sleep fire was powerful enough to in. After returning from the pa- lodge shrapnel in each of us. trol, I slept in it for 15 hours. An abandoned Japanese gun position on Kiska. On August 17, Nothing serious. It just drew a 1943, an Allied force of 34,000-plus men landed on Kiska, expecting We used these foxholes for little blood and we were about to encounter a Japanese garrison of 5,200 men. Instead, they found several days, but it rained con- nothing, as the Japanese, having already lost Attu Island and to patch ourselves up. stantly and they quickly col- expecting an invasion of Kiska, abandoned the island under the lected a lot of water. Before cover of heavy fog several weeks earlier. Later, a group of us was as- crawling into my down sleep- signed to help demolition ing bag, with help from a buddy, I would twist the bag to troops locate and dismantle the caches. But it soon be- wring out as much later as I could, then shake it and crawl came apparent that they were using us as guinea pigs to in. No wonder I suffered from rheumatism in one shoulder make sure they were safe before sending in the demolition for years afterward. soldiers. We told the captain in charge to “stuff it” and took off. He didn’t try to stop us. Much of our weather originated to the north in the Bering Sea, one of the most treacherous storm paths on earth. We While still living in our foxholes on the ridge the first few were often faced with hurricane-strength wind from one days, we attempted another foolish stunt. We climbed down direction, followed by dead calm, and then a short time a very steep side of the mountain and sat on vertical rock later hurricane-strength wind would come from the oppo- bluff about 10 feet above the water. The challenge was to site direction as the whirling storm passed over us. Some- see who could drop a concussion grenade so that it went times the wind was so strong that if you held out a cup of off closest to the water surface. Of course, if it went off coffee it would blow all the coffee right out of the cup. We out of water we would have all been blown off the bluff got three to four inches of snow once, but the tundra veg- to our deaths. Fortunately, we ran out of concussion gre- etation never did freeze. nades before that happened.

The climate in Kiska is surprisingly mild but always chilly. I loved investigating the Japanese caves. Most were not Its high and low temperatures do not reach the extremes very elaborate. They appeared to have been dug using a found in the lower 48 states, but it is always sufficiently small hand pick and a five-gallon can with one side cut off

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 25 and with a handle of wire or rope attached to drag the dirt a joy ride, it careened toward a lake. I panicked and bailed out of the caves. The excavated dirt was then covered with out onto the tundra, much to the entertainment of my fel- tundra, a mat of vegetation. The caves on the rocky ridge low troopers as they scooted across the lake. were excavated with blasting powder, as were some of the underground machine-gun emplacements. We found an ar- While using a pick on a work detail, I once unknowingly senal of guns of many sizes and much ammunition. None struck an unexploded 105 lb. 5-inch naval shell. A Cana- of the guns could be fired, which probably saved us from dian soldier doing the same thing the day before was killed. getting into some real trouble. He wasn’t as lucky as I was. Another soldier was killed by a booby trap set on a large abandoned Japa- Some caves were much more sophisticated, nese gun. A truck once exploded when sol- with a few being several hundred yards diers tried to haul it away. Whenever we long, with adjoining branch tunnels, wood heard an explosion, we wondered who “got floors, five or six feet high, and about 10 it” this time. My company had five deaths feet wide. There were many Japanese blan- and one soldier was seriously wounded. kets in some caves, and quite a few fur caps. A few blankets were hung on cave walls To keep us out of mischief, we were kept and the ceiling. The ordinary soldiers mostly pretty busy after the first few days helping lived very simply in tiny rooms with very set up camp for others to come. Actually, few shelf spaces on the walls. They appar- not much was accomplished by our labor. I ently had very little personal equipment and thought management by higher ups was they slept on grass mats. poor, but I suspect this confusion should be expected. I didn’t know of any soldier There seemed to be hundreds of smaller or officer I dealt with who had had war ex- 10 to 25-yard caves, all of which were quite perience before coming to Kiska. The bulk primitive. Some had stoves with the stove- of the army I was associated with seemed pipe suspended along the side of the tun- A wrecked Japanese ship sits along the to do many dumb things. But it has never nel. They apparently ate little hot food ex- coast of Kiska. Despite the Japanese been easy for me to do what the army told abandonment of the island, the Allies cept for what they cooked outside their suffered nearly 200 casualties during the me to do, since my innate curiosity about caves. In what apparently was a hospital, invasion, all from friendly-fire incidents the world always had me questioning things the medical supplies impressed me as ad- and booby traps set by the retreating – too much schooling. Likewise, it was hard equate and modern. They may have rec- Japanese, as well as from disease. for me to do nothing when I could see ognized a vitamin deficiency in their diet, something that needed attention. but calcium pills were found only in medics’ caves. After being on Kiska for several months, the perpetual fog There was quite a bit of food left everywhere – rice, canned that enshrouded the island finally lifted and, wow, we fi- tuna and salmon, kelp, tea, biscuits, sardines, other fish, nally got our first view of the very impressive four thou- limpets, and many mussel shells. There were crude bombs sand-foot Kiska Volcano. I knew immediately that I had to consisting of gallon cans full of a mixture of powder and climb it. It was like a magnet. While lining up for forma- nails with firing caps attached. Also, there were many crude tion, I whispered to my friend, Henry Moscow, “It’s ok to but presumably effective anti-personnel mines. let the word out if I do not show up by tomorrow morning.” No other comment was needed. He understood my Wherever vehicles were repeatedly driven over the tundra, soon-to-follow fake sick call. There wasn’t time to recruit the tracks would turn into a muddy soup, often reaching anyone else, and I knew it would be difficult for more than over the tops of one’s boots. Decent roads were difficult one person to fake a sick call without arousing suspicion. to make except on ridges were bulldozers could reach a So I went AWOL alone. layer of rock. Otherwise, any heavily used road around the harbor area seemed to have no bottom to it until large quan- Because of the strong wind that day it was a tough climb, tities of sand and gravel were brought in. The tractors and even though I was not carrying a rifle. Near the volcano’s T-24 weasels, which had tractor treads, kept roads torn up. ridge top the wind was so strong that within the last few The dual-wheeled trucks that hauled supplies were able to feet of my climb to the rim, I had to slither on my stomach navigate everything. I didn’t know the weasels were also to keep from being blown away. The north side of the vol- amphibious. When one of my friends snitched a weasel for cano had been blown away by one of the volcano’s explo-

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 26 sions, so the wind coming through this opening would whip he would have executed the invasion if he had been in over the gap of the south rim where I was. When clouds charge (thank God he wasn’t). Before we started on the came through the open north side of the volcano and then march, he issued each of us two chocolate bars he had over the gap in the ridge next to me, they made eerie whis- somehow obtained. What a treat, as we were still eating tling sounds. The pitch varied in relation to the size of the condensed K and C-rations. To instill discipline among the cloud that blew into the volcano. troops, he said, there would be an inspection later to make sure we hadn’t eaten our bars. This never happened. I think When I looked down into the volcano from the ridge, I I had swallowed the first chocolate bar before I was handed could not see the bottom of the crater because of clouds. the second one, as did all the other sweet-starved soldiers. The strong smell of sulfur was wafting from someplace below. I didn’t have time for the clouds to disappear, so I This same colonel wanted me to lead the battalion up Kiska slid backwards over the rim down the wall of the crater. Volcano while he had us go on the three-day maneuver. He Without a rope this part of the climb was treacherous. wanted us to carry our weapons on the climb – an unnec- During the first few feet down the inside of the crater, the essary hazard due to the steepness of the terrain and the wind almost lifted me up into the air. It was scary climbing abundance of loose volcanic boulders. Sensing that he down until the clouds cleared and I could at last see the would blame someone else (me) for any accident, to avoid bottom of the crater. The sulfur fumes were coming from the climb I sneaked away and hid in some very large cav- several fumaroles. When I reached the bottom of the cra- erns under the tundra. ter, the sound from the fumaroles was deafening. They were several feet in diameter, belching out a foul-smelling cloud Volcanic boulders had formed these huge caverns, some that was probably toxic. By carefully padding my ears I of them large enough to hold a car. When the battalion got crawled up close to the edge of one of them to peek into it to the volcano, the colonel heeded my advice and didn’t and saw lava boiling up the sides. It was a gorgeous red and require the men to carry their weapons in the ascent. My purple. On the upwind open side of the fumaroles I saw a only regret was that I missed the opportunity to climb the bed of pure sulfur about 10-feet thick. On the downwind volcano again. side opposite the opening to the crater no sulfur had accumulated. I collected samples of the sulfur and then pro- After my Camp Hale and Kiska experiences, I couldn’t help ceeded out the open side of the crater without incident. but conclude the army was frequently run by deceit and intimidation. Whatever and whenever the occasion rumors Soon after I left the crater, I found the wreckage of a small were rampant. Getting news was not easy. We didn’t have American plane that had crashed on the side of the vol- radios. Eventually a daily bulletin was produced. A USO cano. Apparently the Japanese had buried two American show was greatly enjoyed by all. Sometimes, when the pro- soldiers there, as their dog tags were on a small wooden- jection equipment was working and weather permitted, stake cross at the site. I salvaged pieces of aluminum from movies were shown outdoors. I stood once for three hours the plane, which I later made into bracelets etched with to watch a movie, but I can’t remember what it was about. the Ski Troop’s logo. My friends were eager to buy them. Such diversions are appreciated.

At the base of the volcano I came upon several blue foxes. Gradually, more reading material appeared. Lt. Funk, killed They were very hungry and not afraid of me. The only food in the mix-up the first day, had a footlocker full of paper- available to them at that season was what they could scav- backs for soldiers to read. He knew that books would be enge along the shoreline. They came within inches of ac- needed. This was helpful because toward the end of our cepting K-rations from my hand. On this jogging-hike to stay on Kiska boredom became the enemy. and from the volcano, which we later estimated to be nearly 50 miles, I blistered my feet even though I was in top physi- While the Ski Troopers marked time before leaving Kiska, cal condition. When I returned to camp, I put a small piece some wit worked up a song to the tune of a barroom bal- of the sulfur on the potbellied stove in my officers’ tent to lad. We sang it enthusiastically and repeatedly: show where I had been. They were so impressed by my escapade that I escaped punishment for going AWOL. I We headed for Kiska with blood in our eye, was the first soldier to climb the volcano – but not the last. But G-2 had told us a hell of a lie! 10,000 Jap soldiers were due for a fall A new colonel arrived to take charge of the battalion. Be- But when we got there, there were no Japs at all! fore long he took us on a three-day maneuver to show how

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 27 Conspicuous Gallantry on Guadalcanal A Conversation With Mitch Paige

The World War II Veterans Committee began with the production been killed or wounded. When reinforcements arrived, Paige then of the award-winning radio documentary series, World War II led a counterattack, wiping out the enemy and securing the line. For Chronicles, commemorating the 50th anniversary of World War his actions, Mitchell Paige would receive the military’s highest deco- II. This program, hosted by the late, great “Voice of World War ration—the Medal of Honor. II,” Edward J. Herlihy, aired on over 500 stations nationwide between 1991 and 1995 on the Radio America network. In the years Mitchell Paige would rise to the rank of Colonel, retiring from the since, the World War II Veterans Committee has produced dozens Corps in 1959. He was the model for a G.I. Joe action figure, and of radio documentaries and series, in an effort to told his story in his memoirs, titled A Marine bring the history of the Second World War to the Named Mitch. He passed away in November American public. of 2003, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from Guadalcanal. Prior to his passing, The Committee’s tradition of quality radio pro- Mitchell Paige sat down for an interview, recount- gramming continues with the new series, Veter- ing his days as a Marine, and the engagement that ans Chronicles, hosted by Gene Pell, former led to his becoming one of America’s great heroes NBC Pentagon Correspondent and head of Voice of World War II. We begin as the drums of war of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Lib- begin to beat throughout the Pacific Theater… erty. With Veterans Chronicles, listeners are taken back in history, and told the story of World We all knew something big was happening War II by the men and women who fought, and because Marines were coming in from all won, the war. The series is broadcast on the Ra- over the world: World War I veterans, vet- dio America network. In this issue, we print the erans of Haiti, veterans of Vera Cruz, all partial transcripts of a recent episode. these battles, Nicaragua and different islands. We were all set and trained and were the first people to leave the United States, our 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. From the time he was a small boy growing up in the hills of south- We traveled down through the Caribbean, through the eastern Pennsylvania, Mitchell Paige knew he wanted to someday be Panama Canal, and ended up in British Samoa because the one of the few and the proud—a member of the United States Japanese at this point had already taken the Philippines and Marine Corps. Paige tried to enlist in 1935, but was not yet old destroyed the British at Singapore. They were crossing the enough. A year later he tried again, walking from his home in Penn- Pacific. Pearl Harbor had already been attacked, but only sylvania to Baltimore to reach the nearest Marine recruiting station. after the 1st Marine division was activated. So there was a Nearly rejected again due to his small stature, Paige was this time reason for our being out there and that was to keep the accepted into what was at that time a Corps of only 17,000 men. Japanese from taking the entire Pacific Theater.

After boot camp Paige was assigned to the battleship Wyoming as The powers that be decided to go after a little island called a member of a machine gun company in the 5th Marine Corps regi- Guadalcanal, part of the British Solomon Islands. They ment. The ship made an extended cruise in the Caribbean, then decided the 1st Marine division would be the first to go in, traversed the Panama Canal en route to the Pacific and Asia where in what would be America’s first ground offensive. The in- the drums of war were already beating. vasion occurred on August 7, 1942. A little 90 mile-long, about 30 mile-wide island. General MacArthur, Admiral It was on the Pacific island of Guadalcanal that Mitchell Paige Nimitz, and Admiral McCain—all the high-ranking officers would achieve legendary status in the United States Marine Corps. of the Armed Forces—all believed that this was the most A platoon sergeant at the time, Paige single-handedly defended his valuable piece of real estate in the entire Pacific Theater. position against a Japanese onslaught after all of his comrades had Whoever controlled Henderson Field (named for Lofton

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 28 Henderson, a Marine flyer killed at Midway), controlled a But holding that position would be a severe challenge. The terrain vast area. For this little island airport, thousands and thou- favored the enemy. The Marines were equipped with machine guns sands of men would be fighting for from 1917 and 1918. All their Spring- the next six months. field rifles were vintage 1903. And their training had not prepared them for the Guadalcanal presented many firsts for the savage suicide assaults the Japanese U.S. military. It was the first test on land launched night after night. against the Japanese army. It was the first exposure of U.S. forces to jungle warfare. I put a wire across the front of my It was the first major trial of the compli- line, just a few feet out in front. I cated logistics system required to sustain a took an empty C-ration can, which I far off fighting force. Fortunately for Paige, had blackened and carried with me he was well aware of the Japanese everywhere we went, and put an military’s tactics, having witnessed them empty cartridge in it as a trip wire. first-hand during an earlier assignment to When we would hear that trip wire, United States Marines rest during the battle for China, prior to the attack on Pearl Har- Guadalcanal. At the height of the battle, nearly 30,000 which was only a few feet away— bor. On Guadalcanal, Mitch Paige knew Marines would take on nearly 30,000 Japanese. After and I did this for a purpose because what to expect. months of fighting, the Japanese were soundly I had watched the Japanese and the defeated in what was the first major offensive victory Chinese fight in China and I knew for the Allies in the Pacific. From this point on, it Well, at that point, October 1942, would be the Japanese who were on the defensive. that if they attacked a place prema- we had almost the maximum num- turely, they would just withdraw and ber of enemy forces and the maximum number of Marines then bring in all kinds of artillery and knock you off and during the battle facing one another, literally combined over you wouldn’t have a chance to stop them. So, they would 50,000 troops, all fighting for just withdraw and annihilate our Henderson Field. The Japanese held whole battalion. So, I had to wait the commanding terrain. We had a until they were actually on top of us, small perimeter that ran from the which we did. They were probably water’s edge out through kunai fields, five or six feet away from us when out through the jungles and through the trip wires went. Then everything the reeds back out to the water, pro- broke open and it was pandemonium tecting Henderson Field which was like you’ve never seen or heard. in the center of our perimeter. Our There is no way in the world that I objective was to hold that ground un- could describe the sounds; scream- til such time as we could destroy the ing, screeching and all kinds of weap- Japanese forces. But they just kept ons firing and mortars going off, flares coming and coming, bombing every Henderson Field - some of the most valuable real in the air, indescribable. Having the morning and every day from the skies estate on Guadalcanal. Mitchell Paige and his platoon knowledge that I knew how the Japa- were charged with holding a ridge guarding the field. and shelling from the seas with con- After all of his men were killed or wounded, Paige nese would attack: just coming in stant penetration from the forces on alone ran back and forth between four machine gun waves, fixed bayonets with machine the ground trying to break through our emplacements, firing bursts at the enemy in an effort guns. They loved to bayonet a per- to deceive them into thinking they were facing a perimeter to capture the airfield. This strong defense. His plan worked, and in the process, son and then shoot him. I saw this in went on and on and on. October was hundreds of enemy soldiers were killed and China. I told my men that this is what the most critical month of all. That’s wounded. After receiving reinforcements, Paige led a we could expect. So, you’ve got to when we were told—as a matter of counterattack on the Japanese position, decimating hold your line and I could trust every the remaining force. Paige’s actions signaled a turning fact, at one point, our fleet had to point in the battle, giving the Americans firm control man and every man could trust the leave and left us alone for awhile. All of Henderson Field. The Japanese would eventually man on his right and left because we’d the ammunition was issued; all the go down to defeat. trained together now for two years in chow was issued. We were told, “This is it. Just hold the Cuba. All they were was kids; they were teenagers but they ground. You can’t give up.” were, I think, the best machine gunners in the whole Ma- rine Corps at that time.

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 29 Mitch Paige’s Medal of Honor citation refers to his extraordinary being a baseball pitcher, I wanted my arm free. I picked up heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the the machine gun and just as I started down the hill and I call of duty. Paige was a Marine platoon sergeant on Guadalcanal could see the riflemen probably 80 yards behind me, just on October 26, 1942. The time had come for him to prove his valor. starting to move up. So, I felt it was time for me to go. I started down. At this point, there was nothing but bodies It was daybreak. For the past two hours I had been running lying around. I started down the hill and I saw an officer back and forth along our lines, firing machine guns to make come out of the kunai grass with a revolver in his hand. He the Japanese believe that there were a lot of Marines up was firing at me as I was charging toward him. He had 15 or there. I guess they fell for it. But I didn’t realize that I was 16 or maybe 18 men as guards. My fast firing machine gun alone and that the 200 Marines that were to my rear, that was no problem at all as I bounced down the hill just raking were supposed to be along side of me, were down the slope this and they all fell over. The Japanese officer had exhausted with our forward command post. None of them could come his ammunition, threw his revolver to the deck, and started up because of heavy fire from the Japanese, to pull his samurai sword as I approached him which was causing heavy casualties. The bul- about four feet away. One burst came right lets were going right through my men and hit- down his face and his chest and, as he pulled ting into the riflemen, so they had no choice the samurai sword out, the shot hit it, break- in the matter. You couldn’t blame them if ing it in two. All of a sudden, there was quiet they just all got up and took off, which hap- and peace. As my men came charging over pened on the left flank. They were just driven the hill with their fixed bayonets, whooping off the ridge down toward the beach. The it up, these teenagers, most of them, it was Japanese knew this territory well. They were the greatest sight I had ever seen in my life- hoping they would catch a Marine someday time. There was nothing but calm and enemy in a position like this where they could break dead lying around. That’s what they told me: through with enough people. They had a 920 enemy dead around my machine gun, not straight shot down to the beach area. You counting those in the ravine and all around. could look out to sea and all you saw was Mitch Paige as G.I. Joe. So, we obviously had eliminated that division. Japanese ships going back and forth. They That was a very famous Sendai Division. were firing at us at random, just throwing shells, anything from 3-inch to 14-inch rounds. They were so certain that Mitch Paige traveled a long distance from the hills of Southeast they broke through because they had traversed this terri- Pennsylvania to the jungles of Guadalcanal—and not just in miles. tory many times and there were no obstacles behind me. It During that time he grew from boy to man—from a face in the crowd was a direct shot through just coconut trees right down to to a national hero as the recipient of the country’s supreme honor for the beach road. And they would have isolated the entire 1st valor under fire. Marine division along this perimeter, you know, way out in the jungles; just making this great big horseshoe around Well, I had always loved the Marine Corps as I indicated at Henderson Field. They could have just taken it piecemeal the outset. Patriotism is so obvious and so apparent in the had they landed thousands and thousands of sailors and services. Loyalty to your organization, love of God and fam- marines, whatever they had on those ships. ily, I think that you find that throughout the services.

As I ran back and forth across the front lines, I ran over to I believe that every child in America should be familiar with my left gun and screamed back to the riflemen of George the historical significance of our Founding Fathers who Company, which was to my right rear because Fox Com- fought to give us what we have today—freedom, the most pany had already departed from the area. I unclamped my cherished thing man can find anywhere in the world. Ev- machine gun and screamed to the riflemen to fix bayonets, erybody in the world wants to come here because of that and when he saw me disappear over the hill to follow me one thing: freedom. The Marines believe in that, as do all over the hill. So, I placed two belts of ammunition over my Americans. We are so blessed and fortunate to have a coun- shoulders. I had one loaded in the gun. I unclamped the gun try where you can express yourself in any way you wish. and put it in my left arm and, unfortunately, I’d cut the The people who come here are amazed after they learn just sleeves off my shirt the day before, off my dungarees, so I how fortunate we are to live in a land of freedom where we could throw hand grenades. They’re kind of tight. I felt that, treat one another decently and with respect.

World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 30 The World War II Book Club Featuring Books About World War II

JUST AMERICANS OPERATION JEDBURGH HOW JAPANESE AMERICANS WON A WAR AT HOME D-DAY AND AMERICA’S FIRST SHADOW WAR AND ABROAD by Colin Beavan by Robert Asahina Penguin Group Inc. 399 pages $27.95 (Hardcover) Gotham ; 352 pages $27.50 (Hardcover)

Within months after Pearl Harbor, 110,000 Japa- The thrilling inside story of the secret “special nese Americans were forcibly “evacuated” from operations” mission that paved the way for D- the West Coast, losing their jobs, their property, Day-and changed the way America waged war and their homes. In less than a year, they were “relocated” and incarcerated in desolate camps On D-Day, three hundred young American and throughout the West, Southwest, and South. Yet, Allied soldiers were dropped behind enemy lines incredibly, thousands of young men from the to launch a secret sabotage mission code-named camps joined the Army, to defend the country Jedburgh. Working with the French Resistance, that had denied them their rights. This is the dra- the “Jeds” launched a stunningly effective guer- matic story of the segregated Japanese American rilla campaign against the German war machine. 100th Battalion/442d Regimental Combat Team—and what they did to In this compelling narrative, Colin Beavan, whose grandfather Gerry Miller affirm their full citizenship. As Gen. Jacob L. Devers put it, in World War helped direct the operation for the OSS, tells the incredible story of the II the soldiers of the 100th/442d had “more than earned the right to be rowdy daredevils who carried out America’s first special-forces mission. called just Americans, not Japanese Americans.” Drawing on scores of interviews with Jeds, Beavan’s history reads like a During the fall of 1944, the combat team made headlines when it rescued spy thriller. Dodging Gestapo spies, the Jeds armed and trained fighters the “lost battalion” of the 36th “Texas” Division. At the same time, with who liberated Paris, snarled German transport throughout France, and the 1944 elections looming, the Roosevelt Administration was debating provided essential cover to the invading Allied forces. Beavan focuses on whether to close the camps. And while the soldiers of the 100th/442d key figures like William Colby, Stewart Alsop, and John Singlaub-all of were sacrificing their lives in Europe, the Supreme Court was deciding the whom went on to high-profile postwar careers-and shows how Jed- infamous Korematsu and Endo cases, which challenged the notion that burgh pioneered the special forces procedures still used in Iraq and Af- “military necessity” justified the “relocation.” ghanistan today. Through interviews with surviving veterans, archival research, maps, and photos, Robert Asahina has reconstructed these fateful events of Octo- This gripping history of the original special ops mission makes a major ber-November 1944. From breathless battle scenes, masterfully handled contribution to the literature of American warfare. in all their detail; to the unbreakable bonds of friendship in the field; to heart-wrenching stories of loss and discrimination on the mainland and in Hawaii, Just Americans tells the story of what Gen. George C. Marshall HOW HITLER COULD HAVE WON called the “most decorated unit in American military history for its size WORLD WAR II and length of service.” It is also the story of soldiers in combat who were THE FATAL ERRORS THAT LED TO NAZI DEFEAT fighting a greater battle at home—a struggle that continues for minority by Bevin Alexander groups today—over what it means to be an American. Crown Publishing Group; 352 pages $25.95(Hardcover) How Hitler Could Have Won World War II illustrates the A TANKER’S VIEW OF WORLD WAR II important battles and how certain key movements and THE MILITARY EXPERIENCE OF C. WINDSOR MILLER mistakes by Germany were crucial in determining the by C. Windsor Miller war’s outcome. Alexander’s harrowing study shows Thomas Publications; 144 pages $29.95(Hardcover) how only minor tactical changes in Hitler’s military approach could have changed the world we live in today. This is the memoir of C. Windsor Miller, the man How Hitler Could Have Won World War II untangles some who led the first tank platoon across the fabled of the war’s most confounding strategic questions, such Remagen Bridge. Twenty chapters detail Mr. Miller’s as: Why didn’t the Nazis concentrate their enormous military power on ordeal, from his basic training to the trip across the the only three beaches upon which the Allies could launch their attack into ocean, from the Battle of the Bulge to the crossing Europe? Why did the terrifying German panzers, on the brink of driving at Remagen Bridge, and from a rendezvous with the British army into the sea in May 1940, halt their advance and allow the the Red Army to his return home. A Tanker’s View British to regroup and evacuate at Dunkirk? With the chance to cut off of World War II is certain to enlighten and entertain the Soviet lifeline of oil, and therefore any hope of Allied victory from the all who read it. east, why did Hitler insist on dividing and weakening his army, which ultimately led to the horrible battle of Stalingrad? Can also be ordered directly from the publisher at 717-642-6600 or at www.thomaspublications.com. All books can be found at bookstores or online at Amazon.com. World War II Chronicles - Summer, 2006 - 31 Committee Sponsors Event for the Legion of Valor

On July 2, the American Veterans Center, parent organization of the World War II Veterans Com- mittee, sponsored a reception in honor of the men of the Legion of Valor at the historic Army & Navy Club in Washington, DC.

The Legion of Valor was established in 1890 by a group of Civil War and Indian War Campaign veterans who were recipients of the Medal of Honor. In later years, membership was extended to those who were decorated with the Distinguished Ser- vice Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross. The Legion of Valor works to cherish the memories of the valiant deeds of those who were awarded the nation’s highest awards for military valor, as well American Veterans Center president James C. Roberts (left) is thanked by as stimulate patriotism in the minds of America’s George M. Malone, current National Commander of the Legion of Valor, youth and build pride in our armed forces. for sponsoring the reception. Malone was awarded the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism while serving with the Marine Corps in Vietnam. The World War II Veterans Committee is proud to support the Legion of Valor in their mission to pre- serve the legacy of America’s greatest heroes.

World War II Veterans Committee NONPROFIT ORG. A Project of The American Studies Center U.S. POSTAGE PAID 1030 15th St., NW, Suite 856 WALDORF, MD PERMIT NO. 30 Washington, D.C. 20005