THE
NATIONAL
Center
Transferred
Delivered
Classification
Ft.
Shafter,
Fredericksburg,
Maurice
MUSEUM
An
for
March
Seymour,
Interview
messages
Pacific
Hawaii
to
E.
18,
and
Message
Stamps
OF
Iowa
2009
War
Assignment
with
Texas
to
THE
Studies
Admiral
Center
PACIFIC
Section
Nimitz WAR
Wayne
I
Mr. Where
Mr.
I Where
Mr.
Mr. October
What
Mr.
fine
Mr.
Yes,
went Mr. “Agreement
Mr.
historical
Museum 215
Maurice
was My
Stamps
Misenhimer
Stamps
Misenhimer
Stamps
Misenhimer
Stamps
with Misenhimer
name
Wall
the
born
to
is
did
County,
were
your
high
29,
me.
agreement
E.
of
information Street,
you
on
is
Stamps
the
you 1915
Read.”
Richard
birth
school
a
go
Iowa,
farm
Pacific
born?
Seymour,
to
date?
by
high
that
in
in
Misenhimer,
about
related
the
Appanoose
telephone.
War,
my
school?
town
Iowa
5
material
Center
to
miles
World
of
52590.
today
Seymour,
His
County,
from
for
can
War
phone
Pacific
is
my
be This
March
1
II.
Iowa
home
used
Iowa
number
War
interview
18,
for
which
farm.
Studies,
2009.
anybody
is
is
641-898-7541.
is
in
across
for I
support
am
to
the
interviewing
send
the
preservation
of
county
off
the
His
as
National
address
research
Mr.
line
of
in
is is
farming
the
be
I
Mr.
What
Mr.
I
Mr. What
Mr.
I
Mr.
How
Mr.
Galesburg,
I
Mr. What
Mr.
returned
When
1934
Mr.
Mr.
had
graduated
spent
in
war.
Stamps
Misenhimer
Stamps
Misenhimer
Stamps
Misenhimer
Stamps
Misenhimer
war.
Stamps
Misenhimer
long
a
did
was
did
for
major did
one
Hitler
you
to
you
did
So
your
a
you
from
Illinois.
year
Iowa
while,
do
in
you
I
do
was
went
graduate
major?
English
after
on
Knox
after
to
go
but
running
the
the
to
there?
you
you
I work
in
farm
farm
and
didn’t
from
the
graduated
graduated?
rampant
on
a
and
Spring
and
high
intend
major
our
then
I
school?
was
family
of
in
in
from
to
in
Europe,
1939.
History.
absolutely
make
the
farm
college?
2
Fall
that
on
and
I
of
had
a
the
positive
1935
I
lifelong
was
a
farm
double
I
sure
entered
that
that
career.
that
major.
we
my
were
Knox
eventually
relatives
I
liked
going
College
farming
engaged
we
to
in
be
would
and
in in
the
run
brother
programs
They
schedule
team
Well,
Mr. You
Mr.
inductee
The
Mr. Which
Mr.
September
I Mr.
When
Mr.
international all
entered
our
next
Stamps
that
Misenhimer
Stamps
Misenhimer
were Stamps
Army
Misenhimer
were
mates
yes,
family
was
did
branch
draft
pertaining
and
into
and
the
drafted, I
—
given
you
volunteered
on
23,
on
I
quota.
farm.
the
situation
entered
service
I
volunteer
did
the
was
go
the
1942.
commissions,
Army
into
you
is
to
farm,
football
on
that
My
it.
on
the
the
go
developed.
the
Armed
for
for
So
brother
I
September
right?
draft
into.
talked
service?
football
team
the
the
I
thought
Forces.
and
draft.
service,
of
was
to
and
course.
team
the
reported
23.
given
I
associates
When
would
Draft
but
and
I
reported
I
3
an
because
thought
I
for
Board
spend
on
was
Agricultural
duty
the
were
in
to
about
time
track
about
college,
of
at
the
taking
the
Camp
there
team
service
me
trying
Deferment
draft
a
ROTC,
volunteering
Dodge,
and
lot
and
situation
to
to
of
see
get
I
go
my
but
did
to
Iowa,
to how
into
friends
stay
not
I
camp
and
had
to
one
the
as
take
home
be
my
a
an
and on
of
busy
in
ROTC.
older
the
on and
We
to
name
for
next
Sergeant
there
So
going
was
Induction
Office
Test,
thought
That’s
Tell
Mr.
try
Mr.
in
No,
Mr.
Did
Mr.
go
a
were
for
my
to
week.
Stamps
Misenhimer
pass
a
Stamps
me
down
you
Misenhimer
I
at
in
we
to
just
qualify
about
college
at
mind,
quite
the
the
we
about
friends put
Camp
have
were
said
Test.
to
went
either.
Administration
I
would
Induction
you
go
a
4
since
can
to
to
graduate,
story.
days, a
your
waiting
down
in,
Dodge
go
So
but
choice
to
me
give
be
A
but
I
to
work
he
boot
had
she
and
I
little
I
Officer’s
sent
Center.
to
worked
you
there
I
said,
reported
contacted
did
of
the
a
had
too,
grading
camp.
this
bit
which
college
a
some
Building
have
“While
city
weekend
a
later,
a
and
other
grading
few
Then,
Candidate
boyfriend
to
of
branch?
tests place
it
we
me
degree
Camp
I
days
in
Des
boy,
we’re
got
and
at
had
my
and
pass
tests
of
for
the
a
Moines.
and
“I
I
and mind
recruits
Dodge,
waiting
call.
went
both
Schools,
and
another
don’t
basic
4
end
if
and
the
you
I
that
a
A
had
made
out
think
of
training.
working
thorough
Master
soldier
I
we
that
for
want
said
the
fellow
and
I
a
OCS,
wanted
you
were
girl
exceptionally
you
have
first
I
there it.”
Sergeant
came
had
in
guys
in
that
they
guys
When
education,
inducted
week
The
the
Chicago,
been
to
a
was
had
called
to
go
in bad
Administration
will
other
we
on
be
coming
and
gone
this
into
in
be
high
cold
at
a
took
shipped
the
it.
but
that
fellow
called
Friday,
shipped Camp
girl,
the
in
scores
and
Administration
the
she
in
I
Army.
with
Enid
was
after
didn’t
out
didn’t
out,
Induction
Dodge.
had
the
Office
me.
out
on
going
Stark.
my
you.”
Master
I
I’m
come
care
the
had
till
want
He
I
to it
greyhounds
destroyers
the
my
and The
there
Fort
basic
There
train
City.
we’re
camp,
that
sarcastically,
don’t
Lieutenant
her dinner.”
was
dinner.”
can
out
seasickness
sky
everybody
ship
McDowell
out
troop
to
until
get
a
for
training
That
know
going
were
we
was
see
Secretary
to
a
a
pulled
That
She
we
train
climbed
on
day weekend
see
train
me.
said,
and
blue, what
probably,
or
got
each
but “and
went
sounded
which
and
what’s
me.
got
that
out
was
hooked
I
She
‘We
to
the
guess
and
and
we
tremendously
on
you
side
a
of
the
back
Thirty
is
pass
over
was
hell
were
was
half
there she
have
the
that
by
going
sitting
have
dock
good
they
of
up
the
out
is
and a
and
harbor
and
in
said,
minutes
train
the
sent
with
a
going
Secretary
we
on
the
over
to
time thirty
at
were
requisition
to
at
I’ll
when
convoy
were
the
Oakland,
“No,
but
and
directly
a
me.
middle
night
come
and
seasick
on,
there
we
troop
minutes
escorting
later,
Coca
I’ll
left
I
I’ll
in
She
got
during
but
felt
in
write
we
and
down
cook
a
to
of on
train
Camp
for
Des
I
there,
Cola
convoy
California,
seven
like and
marched
talked
called
Oakland
San
they that
to
5
you
you
the
dinner
us
headed
Moines
to
going
put
I
Dodge, Bottling
Francisco
didn’t
siding.”
your
were probably
and
college
as
of
night
her
one
of
all
us
soon
down
and
six
up
in
without
looking
your
from
apartment
and
west
of
go
racing
were
there
the
traveled
Plant
deck,
transports
the
got men,”
I
as
up
200
told
and
gear
Harbor. I
a
apartment,
and
talked
just
telephone Coca
on
I
and
came
one
out
back
in
can.”
the
Enid,
inductees
climbed
he
ferry
in
we
Des
all
called
and
for
eat
bit
sun
your
to
called
Cola
and
and
a
night
We
were
As
Japanese
“I
of
Moines
tremendous
her
for
boats
take
was
don’t
we
out
basic
bags
booth
forth
were
on
there
night
drivers
two
down
and
that
us
on
won’t
you
a
and
shining
and
know
kind
that
where
troop
days.
like
and
fell
training.
processed
I
were
and
hadn’t
out
told
to
to
the
went
go
over
troop
of
climb
Kansas
bring
storm where
said,
to
ship.
her,
and
two
out
First
Then
she
had
out
the
to
on
“I “I
Sergeants
we
under
miles
miserable they
that
some
sorry”.
when
soldiers
slid
coming
turned
headed
The
Yes,
Mr.
10
Mr. me.
convoy
threat
got
or
went
into
Stamps
Misenhimer
used
convoy
to
strict
sir.
Do
cars. the
11
up
was
out
We
Schofield
into
the
for with
and
you
days,
through
ship
there
You’re
and
to
and
to
black-outs
marched
Australia,
still
They
harbor
Hawaii.
was
haul
some
the
follow
be
This
we
had
Corporals
I
very
it
forgot
land
possibility
doing
traveling
was
pineapples
looked
Seymour.
barracks, thought
docked
was
Gi’s
by
me
real.
Our
off
and
but
for dark
the
which,
well.
so
down
right
the
there
pretty
ship
fear
after
we
After
dock
we
far?
pretty
and
of
and
troop
a
after
Keep
It
and
could
there
having
were
big there
of went
about
was
that
we
we only
small
everything
the
slowly
Army
sugarcane.
the
ship
going.
could
were
going
a
to
had looking
see
was
being
Japanese
a
10
to
narrow-gauge
the
and
camp.
because
the
me,
black-out
days,
some
looking
hear
to
Honolulu
in
was
6
there
up
outline
of
suffocate,
being
the
them.
what
We
Midway
at
scuttlebutt
air
It
black-out
down Army
with
it
had
us
flashlights,
attack.
raids
got
was
used
of
we
Harbor
and
railroad,
We
big
a
Diamond
in
at
but
but
10
thought
following
siding
or
to
those
yelling
cement
the
heard
(no
around
days,
That
the the
attacks.
the
not
dock
and
shielded
lights).
there
train
Japanese
big
cars,
the
seemed
Head was
them
something
we
a
quadrangles.
the ship
Rock
and
zig-zag
Pearl
were
took
There
with
a
it
boxcars
yelling,
and
Hawaii
cloud
was that
so
there
pretty
Island
us
a
submarine
Harbor.
at
they
we
were
we course.
little
and
hot
sea
up
in
were
was
“You’ll
were
were
were
unusual
the
about
could
and
trains
train, then
When in
As
still
a
west
some
After
cars
be
just
we
30 to
morning
barracks
a
barracks
called
those
When
and
two
and
the
Francisco,
everything’s
my
England.
envelopes.
home
few
stopped
legs,
the
had
those
shine
port
troop girlfriend)
envelopes
I
latrine
things.
no
called
and and
on
Angel
we
and
down
big
communication
they
and on
them
that
in
train
got
then
they
cement
I
I
get
California).
Barstow,
said,
Fort
out
addressed
I
I
on
Island.
okay.
gave
told
to
island
got
got
although
for
had
our
out
took
get
the
the
the
McDowell
“I’m
one
that
back
me?”
barracks.
bunks
us
the
back
given
ground,
You’ll
window
Oakland
called
us
It’s
California
on
another
of
we’d
window
on
out
really
the
I
with
just
them
on,
She
said,
a
us
ready
hear
the
merry-go-round.
Camp
into
other
and
be
and
and
there
an
home
They
a
dock
smiled
her
train
to
round
processed
“Please
from
onto
mile
and
APO
San
there
and
they
said,
give
sheet
boyfriend
McDowell
were
there
had
or
and
we
across
the
then
me
Francisco
and
of
number
led
me
we anything
“Will
write were
black-out
to
shots.
I
some
platform.
but
were
wrote
us
nodded
were
there
a
the
my
you,
from couple
was
7
I
up
and
I
to
given
don’t
and
don’t
girlfriend,
next
Red
two
Only
given Harbor. of
a
was
me into
please, a
another
we
short
curtains,
her
the
said
fighter
There
big
of
day.
know Cross
a
at
know
the
black-out.
this
were
chance
a
sheets
kind.
head.
that
ferry
we
letter
good
top
There
Enid
put
When
time
from
was
island
where pilot
ladies
marched
address”
could
We
of
boats
In
stamps
to
of
supper
to
(or
we
a
the
fact,
and
where.”
were
is
we
my
paper
During
get
Red
called
that
we
the
use
an
had
big
and
was
woke
Mother when
off
are
up
given
island
on
girl
Cross
were
and
that
Then
barracks,
and
a
we
Alcatraz.
all
and
there,
The
already
those
bunch
going,
I
up the
comfortable
wanted
(APO this
loaded
time
a
handing
and
out
stretch
I
lady
Sergeant
couple
the
tossed
troop
time,
up envelopes
there
but
of
to
Dad
under
over
San
there
next
to
There’s
to
shots
on
go
our
train
out
we’d
the
of
the
be
at
in
to
on a
to
two
Quadrangle
I
I’ll
up
because
going
the
and
Corporals fouled
let
“Is
said,
said,
were
our
woke
Missouri
None equipment
happen. gave for
it.
go
there
out
that
rows
ocean,
tropical
got equipment
It
back
“Sarge
“What’s
and
kind
us
up
of
looked
up a
so?”
on
with
whole
of
every
us
tropical
and
the
again.
That
we
and
of
to
why
the
holes
barracks.
in
ailments
knew
and
their I’ve
hillbillies.
the
next
were
the northern
like
a
they
time
ship
afternoon
bunch
and
it
field
Then
weight
part only
I
was
and
matter
they
how
flags
said,
morning
being
showed
the
and
I
pack
and
looked
when
not
been
of
rather
It
he to
Arkansas
had
old I
wig-wagging
“Yes,
by
uniforms.
looked
Army
solder,
remember
they
we
roll
escorted
called
3
tight
morning Sergeant
and
been
feet
we in
us
up
a
were
a
Sergeant,
the
took
terminology.
pleasant field
enough
how
got
to
across
looked
apart
didn’t
out
that
plugged
Army
me
called
So
by
all
up
pack.
the
to
we some
signals
came
I
and
the
destroyers.
like
that
they
to
roll
got
at
that
up.
old
were
voyage
10
I
the
out
don’t
one
woolen
with
there
field
There
of
each
a
let
days.”
8
teach
Sergeant.
up
We
we
This
kick
Schofield and
and
the
at
us
of
and
plaster
think
packs.
could
were
sea
except
was
hole
the
camp
were know
out
an
all. so-and-so
you
uniforms
The
Evidently,
said
and
old
destroyers,
any
a
of.
about
on
carry
how
or
We
a
row pretty
barracks.
And
non-corn’s,
Sergeant
we
to
Sergeant
group
the
Just
seasick.
cement
of
one
were
to
didn’t
of that
it
6
us
that
Army,
top
on
much
there
roll
inches young
holes
have
of
of
had
to
standing
deck
night
there
a
looked
know
or
my
boys
told
But
a
this
field
Sergeants
was
what
across
something
been
had farm
ship
from
Ozark
we
of
us
as
would
from
snafu
where
pack?”
radio
the
at
any was
there
and to
we
marched
boys,
issued
the
me
the
friends
load
southern
big
got basic.”
Army
be
going
silence
so
hole we
and
and
ceiling,
but
looking
they
This
cement
sailors
forth.
all
us
use
were
next
down
you
said,
has and
to
our
and
kid
He
to at
Japanese.
go
had
some
stationed
you
we
have
suntan
When
of
a
had
and
up
report
on
I
machine
troops
and
he
ready could
knew
pile
to
rookies
dirt
had
guard
said
already
see
shot there
I
Guadalcanal
taken
of
of
asked
we
see
to
it
on
uniforms,
here.
something
mess
them
are
the
things
and
take
the
here
gun
duty
were
each
wasn’t
in
that
This
us
sailed
regular reveille
the
our
two
canteen
You
and
bullets.
have
us
under
a
at
there
in
taken
side
was
Corporal
long
suntans,
Zeroes
to
the
campaign
anything
the
been wait
was
where
for
already
mess.
will
Army,
of
in
had
his
main
middle
time
to
right
Guadalcanal
On
here
wrong
me
early
be
taken
mess
wing,
were
the been
about
but
December
and
members
gate
but
at
and
off Actually,
left.”
hats
in
of
October,
daylight
Marines
the
and
my
back just
right
we
the
I
they
holes
the
when
and
could
those
and
What
other
hip.”
were
morning,
the
I
Quadrangle
across
and
to
started
are
when
the
of
there.
so 7 th
I
see,
but
were
our
holes
1942.
handle
got
the
troops
had
in
getting
the
night
forth,
a
it’s
his
barracks
couple
I
inside
we the
25 th
9
running heard
25 th
in
we’ll
happened
When
and
not
That
before,
command.
hanging
and
a
were
there
parade
ready
Infantry
opening
life
Infantry
for
he
come
I
of
the reached
25 th
I
the
the
and toward
wondered
all
said,
Zeroes
you
were
this
to
noise
ground
was
on
Corporal
a
Division
and
Tech
Division
death
go
Division
yard.
men.
bunch
“Those
Sergeant
He
my
in
the
for
that
look
get
strafed
and
full
Sergeant,
said,
belt.
and
struggle
what
my
That’s
There
First
you.
was
of
battle
the
came
the
for
that
was
holes
greenhorns,
canteen
bullets
“Those
The
when
the trouble.
274 th
was
Sergeant’s
planes
a
have
So
were
for
getting
dress.
in
pretty
with
were
barracks.
who
son
it
and
going
the
he
Combat
were
was
troops
been
on
shoes,
and
the
of
talked
seemed
In
tough,
fifty
regular
was
ready
I
my
a
daylight
could
on?
a
fact,
kicking
office
so
bitch
bunch
caliber
that
getting
hip
I
Team
forth.
was
to
to
After
see
to
to us,
Quadrangle
came training
found
they
had
just
guys
wouldn’t
course
being
ask you
easy.
sight.
dress
called
their
and
the
that
looking
second
hardened
a
my
the
boys
what
haven’t
they
were
if
name
back
out
pow-wow
taken
took
Just
Then
the
they’re
and
in
opinion.”
Corporal
after
morning
be
from
that
put
we’re
some
so
names
regular
and
command
wait
was
then
for
sent
out
been the
them
us,
popular
of
attached
Arkansas,
you
he
going
talk
to
kind around
called,
Sergeant
the
go
overseas
started
that
where
I
of
Army
in
the
said,
just
into
to
with
wondering
all
17
the
of
we
after
of
to
get
Jungle
thought
a
but
a
of
profession
and,
they
“Get
troop.
to
Army these
do
the calling
were
formation.
couple
southern
on.”
us,
said,
the
until
that
17
with
25 th
were
probably
your
Combat
9
of
six
war,
there,
boys
Someone
why
back (You
25
they
the
“You
of
you
of
us
Division.
months.
gear
us
taking
or
Missouri,
Corporals
was
role
Division, and
we and
When
had
next” know
home
they
other
had
something.
Training
before
weren’t
ready
and
based
then
marched
a
the
said,
college
called
the
10
year’s
Now
guys
they
they
After
When
as
as
they’re
guys.
the
evening,
would
fellas,
movie
on
“Where
each
Camp.
well
sent
that’s
were got
can
we
us
two
training
degrees
Then
them
these
we
“Well,”
out.
through
as
got
show
there’s
to
going
go
one
and
top
telling
went
not
we’ll
the
are
They’ll some
that
out
back
up
guys
The
ranking
of
book
in
classified
where
he
and
to
we
Jungle
back
in
of
come
us
a the
afternoon
calling
mothers
Tech
to
be
others
said,
our
in
truck the
probably
going,
answered,
the
“From
your
states
the
going
up
each
Sergeants
barracks,
Quadrangle
and
Training
Sergeant
rest
“the
names,
waiting
to 25’
information,
from
barracks
that
Sarge?”
Here
the
get
the
one
and
into
had
poor
get
Division.)
their
Iowa.
this
you
barracks,
Sergeant
was
war
here to
they
Camp.
down
the
a
special
in
who
devils
crash
Eternity”
included
and
and
and
battle
sons
He
when
When
to
17
these had
that’s
was
in
stand,
take
said,
out
The
of
tell
We
are
the
I
us
of it “It’s a trip you’ll be glad you’re taking.” So when we got down there and we started climbing on this truck and one of the fellas asked the truck driver, “Where are we going?” The truck driver said, ‘Why you lucky bastards, you’re going to Fort Shafter, that’s the headquarters of the whole Army out here. It’sjust like going to Heaven.” So we got in the truck and the truck left Schofield barracks and drove down toward
Honolulu and toward Pearl Harbor. I remember we went by Pearl Harbor, so close that we could see the super structure of the Arizona still sitting up above the water, and we could see that the airplanes had been pushed over by bulldozers in a big pile on the side of the runway. They hadn’t even cleared them away since they had been burned and damaged by the Japanese attack, and then the truck turned up to higher ground and through gates that said “Fort Shafter, Headquarters for the Hawaiian Department”
and there was a big parade ground there, they called it “Palm Circle”. I suppose there was 15 or 20 acres, a beautiful parade ground with a row of Palm trees completely around it and on two sides a row of big wooden buildings that were turned into some of the staff headquarters for the Army Command. On the other side were barracks and other facilitiesfor the enlisted personnel.
When we got there, there was a Sergeant that was waitingfor us in the Jeep and they got up and we got out and fell into formation and he addressed us and said, “I’m
Sergeant Brady from the Adjutant General’s Department at this Headquarters. Iwilltake charge of you and take you to your barracks and give you some instructions that you willneed in order to know when to go to mess and the instructions you’llneed in morning when we willtake you in to your assigned positions. Your records have been studied and each of you has already been given an assigned position inthis
Headquarters. This Sergeant was dressed in a uniformthat looked like it had been just
11
next
sleeves.
there,
Headquarters,
of
on
that
shave,
he
about
two
been
night
articles,
picture
Sergeant that
aisle, from
brand
following
maybe
looked out
several
the
also
they
messes.
of
morning,
truck
duty.
Iowa,
on
I
the
1400
Cities
new
a
so
noticed
if
said,
he like
or tailor
day
There
issued
you
him
said,
bunks
you
hundred
driver
is,
whatever
foot
he
Don’t a
men
duty
“Change
have
campaign
that
early,
in
There
to
shop
will
had
said,
that
“You
were
locker
this
you
was
were
the
in
be
and
be
have
everything
fellas
one.
this
we
and
the
“That
ouffit,
will
barracks,
and
surprised
can
you
talking
very
clean
already
there
at
out
were
Headquarters
Sergeant
been
was
ad,
be
Fourteen
coming tonight the
put
wish,
few
guy
of
in
shaven
a
and
will
about.”
about
foot pressed.
your your
this
mess
issued
from
talks
made
Privates
one
if
on
be
we
there
before
for
place,
of
came
fatigue
gear
the
hundred
of
the
a
Corporal for
in
like
each were
mess,
Well,
to up
second
the
the
Company.”
shelf
is
the
His
only
working
you.” in
retreat
with
who
he’s
back
a
friends
bunk
clothes
in
the
morning.
we
very
12 personnel
shirt
a
or
(14:00)
privates
sloppy,
a
an
to
knows.
great
mess
foot
and
We
went
you
mosquito
you
and
Master
long
was
in
English
I
and
went
took
locker
that
had
When
can
big
should for
a
hours
into
When
Cl
there.
tailored
line
of
shelf
get
I’m
made
mess
the
Headquarters,
charge
Sergeant
issued
put
to
the
this
college
net
and
of
we
beginning
the in
will
personnel
you
go
out
at
soldiers
These
Headquarters
those very
canopy
to
hall,
lined
on
you
the
mess
be
to
clothing.
of
your
dress
fit
instructor.”
the
the
first
stripes
nice
us
head
can
and his
up
new
guys
wife
trip,
and
that
to
over
and
shower
body
that
in
mess.
for
put
barracks;
of
when
understand
of
0.
the
As
coming
another
there
come,
on
or
course.
took
mess,
the
the
your
are
that
D.
neatly.
we
sweetheart’s
morning,
their
I
they
facilities
There
top,
said,
uniforms
bunk.
going
us
was
were
toilet
have
there
oh
wide
from
boy
around
got
The
a
what
‘Well,
He
yes,
a
are
on
The
line
put
are and to the various buildings in the Headquarters. Two or three of the fellas were turned over to a Sergeant at the Engineering section, two or three were turned over to the Judge
Adjutant General or Quartermaster section, but there were three of us, two other fellas from Iowa and I, had become pretty friendly only because they came from the same area of Iowa. Allthree of us he took to the Adjutant General’s department and one of them, a man by the name of Bob Carson was turned over to the Warrant Officer in charge of G-1, that was Personnel. The other was turned over to a the section that was
Officer’s Files and he said, “Stamps, you go to the Classification/Assignment section” and he took me to that section and introduced me to a Major who was the head of
Classification/ Assignment, and the Major said, “You were assigned here because of your qualifications at the Induction Center.” We had no idea that they’d even seen our
records. In fact, I asked if Sergeant Brady was still at Schofield. I said, “We were inducted in Iowa and given a bunch of tests. Do you think that our records, are out here?” He said, “Your records were on the ship that you came in. You probably didn’t notice, but ifthey didn’t already have your test records, you would be given a test before this. When the ship came in, somebody came aboard the ship and took your records off. You probably didn’t notice.” The Major said, “I’llintroduce you to Sergeant
Berkowitz and you can get acquainted with the other fellows and the routine that we follow. Just make yourself comfortable with the men.” The Major went back to his office. I found out that the Classification/Assignment section would handle all of the records of the incoming replacement troops and they were being sent up from the mainland as fast as the Army could do it and the Classification had requisitioned requests from units all through the Hawaiian Department. The first thing that Sergeant
Berkowitz did was to give me a list and said, “Look this over, we’re suppose the find
13 same the on heavy scary. which Down sitting carriers. from There Sergeants, Berkowitz The because of pretty were Classification graded guns.” guys islands men. the it. Navy next home, ship. All that brought at cruiser, had out good inductees was One That That and had the five changed that Since day, fit here was taken a of a a at shows all been these Battle of afternoon, Master couple was newspaper, the in. section Juno, while this.” from of in those Midway that place the A Pearl fellows inducted something their requests.” of you group we Pennsylvania had Sergeant, of He had the Induction brothers and in Corporals regulations what Harbor were as and assigned been Coral said, May been and of Berkowitz circumstances and Coral the the working I So 1942), sunk had he knew “The with a Sea, Tests inducted they boys state couple I and said, me and Sea studied perished so a Army and we had how said, we’ve were with hole and from that me. of was (he ‘Well, had of from it our taken to would has two had “Here, tests, 14 they in it. Tech was forwarded the I quite only do. when was lost equipment it the here’s I more other the as see the island, couldn’t referring there got I Sergeants, one have just a Stamps, islands. spent big five that character. Induction a typewriters three fellows a aircraft request a as to it, was Oahu story Sullivan cruiser Private. the was have the this a to carriers your That bunch a the rest to
about two Headquarters and carrier at Tests room.” pretty here a went start He battle that brothers record was group than of One or other of was and our for the three but relaxed grading stage and, Induction down. a That it’s thing, of 3 brothers glorious relief shows day reading of they one typewriter the got from other later, the was of and doing After of air I those to Coral hadn’t machine the noticed Hawaiian you’re papers Iowa, them me, there. the kind a the aircraft on war. paper that, that. tests Sea repair the been of is all that
the
that
Qahu,
Dutch,
ship
I
and troops,
a
the
possessions
We
them
it
There
with
Harbor.
and
Corporal
so
Honolulu
About
got
morning
noticed
was
cargo
troop
he
they
island
got
it
to
that
there
the
didn’t
up
but
the
wasn’t
but
are
be
the
but
down
and
were
that
driver,
we
to
records.
He
when
named
we
Harbor
pretty
and
Kuta
the
was
troops
third
it
Headquarters.”
look
troop
had
said,
was
of
the
followed
a
there
crew
on.
taken
a
we
Aguna.
the
career
Murphy
day
friendly.
too
come
officers
Jeep
Murphy
and
coming
not
‘We’re
carrying
The
They
were
Netherlands
were
in
that
clean.
over.
a
meet
Honolulu
the
officer.
and
troops
overseas
very
and
It
didn’t
reporting
I
were
short,
going
and
He
in
was
was
Captain.
ship.
driver
It
a
on
It
pretty
I
had
had
ship.”
sat
was
were said,
tall, there
look
a
He
this
on
brown,
Harbor
and
Dutch
on.
They
in waiting
been
escaped
for
was
old
kind this
blond,
ship
“You
like
the
still
He
with
So
it
We
duty,
ship.
had
had
ship
a
Ship
in
little
of
the and
back
on
we
reported
and
fine
two
the
for
followed
Vocational
appearing
battered,
15
the
and
an
escaped
went
come
big
and
guys
here
that
There
we
us.
Classification/Assignment
seat
come
gentleman.
officer
ship
husky
was
are we’re
Captain outside
to had
was
who
in
and
the
was
with
that
the
big
from
being going
before
fellows,
Agriculture
named
been
Hawaiians
some
were
going
Captain we
officer ship
rust
had
me,
of
California
Hatch
Anyway,
drove
to
used
in
the
the
natives
big
and
or
come we’re
to
Captain
get
I
one
presumed
of
onto bigger
get
Headquarters
Japanese
old
got
by
down
instructor
the
shelling
the
that
of
going
overseas,
the
the
he
ship
with
in
of
the
the
records
ship
Hatch
we
than
front,
called
to
one
records
United
section,
deck
a
and
island
down
they
Honolulu
had
on
in
had
load
in
of
the
of
control
the
the
and me
high
but
the
of
seen
building
were
States
captured
course,
to
Liberty off
of
the
in
sides
and
name
We
take
islands
the school,
of
the
on
of
ship.
it.
had
a
as of
anti-aircraft
British 5,000
Huge
days
meet
besides
tell
every
Indian
Brown
Sergeant
Berkowitz
some
Berkowitz
requisition from
Yellow
take
had any
went
There
Murphy
Berkowitz.
civilian
been
later,
another
a
a
ship!
troops
back
one
request
officers
boys
were
said
record
reservation
Eagle,
being
and
pretty
tested
said,
would
of
Captain
sheet
out
guns
to
Looked
training
who
two
on
them
I
ship.”
and
were
me, carried
sent
for
Jim
to
He’ll
“Well,
it.
soon
or
had
sticking
say, where
there
the
certain
would
read
“Well,
Standing
We
in
three
Hatch to
like
spic
want
he’d
So
an
Headquarters.
Dakota.
started
two
a
“Infantry,
normally
boarded
and
the
a we
Rifle
they
education
and
teams
around had
Stamps, type
tell
to
deluxe
called
boxes
drove
he
name
classify
Bear,
you
were
Squad
span
kidding
that
of
would
I
they
Rifleman,
would
that.
of
Murphy
duty.
of
on
that
passenger
down
was
of
if
Tom
us.
inducted.
in
and
the
you
the
and
him
the
all
their
That
try
Berkowitz
his
That
read
information
When
I
soldiers
training
want
to
Kicking
ship,
was
come
soldier
to
as
and
Infantry,
grandpa
Infantry,
uniforms,
afternoon,
Honolulu
16
Queen
match
a
the
ship.
working
to
me
I
you
War
I
came
across
was
that
be
names
and
records
and Horse.
again
but
could
each
helped
Mary, Chief.”
It
warriors,
like
Rifleman”
reading
qualified
Harbor
said,
his
was
to
It
we
with
it
a
that
it
was
of
a
and
name
These
grandson
education,
imagine
off
hadn’t
it
started
the
bunch
each
“What
kill
Sergeant
There
was
and
and
said,
and,
those
kind
If
1-IMS
Custer.”
them
and
and
you’d
were
spit-polish
record.
been
also
put
of
that
processing
are
of
my
were
“We’re
the
of
Indian
qualifications
names,
Queen
for
where
them
amusing.
Berkowitz.
young
you
his
gosh,
Crazy
talk
it
for
old
something
Master
a
was
Berkowitz
test
going
few
batteries
doing?”
to
names,
in
Master
he
clean. Mary.
like
what
Sioux
Horse
the
them,
a
the
score.
of
came
luxury
Sergeant
Several
Charlie
down
the Jeep
I
records.
up
a
would
It
Indians
All
don’t
of I
had
ship!
from,
bet
had
to
They
liner
and
the
to a
the
and opened
tissue
while
these
the
a
with
either.
recognized
and
any
these
chow
them
demanding
gonna
them
enlisted
it,
cabin
on
touring
movie.
and
so-and-so
film
guys
that
friends
a
we
friends
as
in
and that
few
processed.”
that
we
go
that Then
would
the
ship,
the
were
quickly men
from
sitting
Fort
friends
then
on
Major
carried
was
the
and
letter, Pacific,
that
letter
and
a
we
extra
queer
files.
change.
Shafter
waiting home.
day
handwriting
come
the
around
we
we
as
Reed,
followed
we
with
and
the
out
duty.
headquarters
or So possible.
were
I
instead
with get
got
went
back
Finally,
for
smell
two
box
had
still
two
for
who
started
They
these
them
the
We’re
the
going
the
about
didn’t
later,
after
a
or
in
and
right
of
of
was
theater
perfume?”
to
were
movie
three
at
So
Captain.
replacement
a
the
back
turning
work
the
to
box
going
I
one
troop
have
2
away
the
we’re
went
of
the
weeks,
beautiful
getting
drops
theater
to
of the
out
and
Head
till
any
Fort
carrier
on
start, soldiers
—
their
to
going
We
to
Troop
10:00
So
Enid’s
they
day
call,
of
we
top
letter
17 Headquarters
Shafter
Officer
and
troops
went
perfume
heads
I
her
I
stuck
ship
to
opened
would
got
and
run call
o’clock
I
Records
201
got
handwriting.
it
from
work
favorite
down
was
in
movies.
carrying
of
and to
night
and
theater,
the
some files.
.
work
came the each
.
my almost
.
my or
warm
about
there
letter
looking
about
Control,
duty.
perfume
later
Classification
girl
and
201
letter.
letters
all
of
thousands
wafting
(we
I
in
was was
in
a
day
back
these
around
Boy!
there
4
at
was
The
couple
there,
Chicago
around
weren’t
or
night.
or
from
Enid
and
going
a
on
5
inside
the
High
whatever
out
were
But
sections
letter
deck
the
it,
of
go
my
had
of
of
number
said,
into
saying,
I
I
I
to
on
course, Command
or
guess.
still
was
troops.
times
clock,
over
so
and
my
folks
levels
movies
put
from
night
that
many
that
hadn’t
shirt
they
‘We’re
fixed
I
for
a
a
at given
“Who’s till
warm
to
Enid,
piece and
When
duty)
week,
want
Anyway,
evening
home
and
we
called
with
of
the
up
got
is
to
get
air
for
of I
started
guys
fascinated
sacks
the
troops
section That
finally
many
come, was
were
for
was
control
was
were
had
letters over
I
oddball
looked
worked
training
states.
taken
something
training
doing
cold
took
again
under
given
of
applications
after
that
we
going
by
the
had
around
that
with
winter
the
the
thought
by
the
were
the
areas
There
Military
about
and
information
diminished
military
had
Military
over
and
the
OCS
end
the
test
sorting
and
I’d
that
back
coming
perfume.
Message
that
these
6
were
Classification/
there
of
we’d
from
to
like
Police
idea
months,
government
pretended
was
Police
the
see
home)
had
and
to
times
and
that
be
the
dispatchers
and
out
overseas
war.
the
get
about
Officers
been
the
sent
Center,
When
and
states
they
of
we
the
volunteering
to
start
into.
when
my
Chief
to
go
had
back
Government
getting
captured,
Headquarters
Assignment
later,
didn’t
be
of
I
head.
that
had
report
and
We
got
which
our
been
and
the
Warrant our
to
and
waited
the
already
need
part
back
into
work
the
innocent
correspondence
these
to
The
and
was selected
the
quota
it
18
of
Camp
states,
OCS
sounded
to
so
was
section
Control
Officer
work
doing
and
territories
it
close
received
messengers
pretty
my
much
was
from
camp.
like
pretty
Custer
each
barracks,
to
but
in
some
to
for
was
for
Officers.
much
go
the
our
like
personnel,
the
quota
our
officers
word
slack
month
that
about
back
Finally,
the
that
rest
Classification/Assignment
in
a
Pacific
work
section.
been
good
coming
Michigan
had
I
didn’t
Message
that
ended
looking
and
to
read
6
when
Evidently,
who
because
months.
the
two
been
tested because
had
deal.
there
I
the
come
was
and
I’d
states,(by
would
up
other
the
for
for
been
taken
letter
Center
see
I
with
had
and
kind
going
the
thought
quota
the
my
for part
Meanwhile,
by
fellows
be
cancelled.
all
been
about
over
person,
classified
us
friend, camp
over,
of
then
of
trained
these
Chief. and
then
would
and
it
that
and
so
was
and
and
200
that
the
it
the
to
I
I
in I Captain Hatch (he was Major Hatch now) gave me permission to work over there and if
I was needed back in the Classification he’d call me. So I and another fellow would go over and help out in the Message Center and the Lieutenant Colonel Mahan who was in command of that full Message Center area. They were a little short-handed and he welcomed us and encouraged us to learn. He said, “Iam thinking about getting you guys transferred over here.” So I was learning the ropes of Message Center work.
I forgot to mention something.
After we had been there about 3 weeks, in the Fall, the head of the whole Adjutant
General Department was General Thompson, Brigadier General Thompson. He found out that there were about 17 men in his command that hadn’t had any basic training.
The General figured he wasn’t going to stand for that.
So he had us pulled out of our offices for a few days and we were given two weeks in
Schofield barracks: jungle training, rifle range, lectures on armament and military law and the whole bag. We still got to go to our regular barracks for mess and sleep, but we were out of our office for over twoweeks in this crash course in basic training that we had.
When I reported back to my station, Ifound out that Sergeant Berkowitz and another officer who had been Captain Heron the other Captain in there, they were gone. What had happened was that the th25 Division, this was back in the Fall, was pulling out for
Guadalcanal. Major Heron along with Berkowitz had been transferred to the 25
Division as the Adjutant. He was promoted from Captain to Major. Major Heron had picked Sergeant Berkowitz to go with him as his top enlisted officer, It meant a promotion for Berkowitz from Staff Sergeant to Tech Sergeant and Captain Heron from
Captain to Major.
19 They led the list, and sailed with the th25 Division for Guadalcanal. Every week, two or
three months later, after the battle of Guadalcanal by January, the Marines and the th25
Division had pretty much got control of Guadalcanal and the Japs that were on there yet
had been killed or had been pulled out and the Sergeant Brown, Master Sergeant
Brown, there in the Classification had gotten a letter from Berkowitz. Berkowitz said,
“He and Major Heron had both survived, were okay, but a lot of the men had been killed
and I wondered about my friends, kids from Arkansas and Missouri, that had been sent
down there after such a short time. I wondered how they were, but I never did find out.
To get back to where Iwas doing some work in the Message Center. When the word came that our OCS appointment had been cancelled, Colonel Mahan of the Message
Center, he didn’t actually work in the Message Center but he was the officer in
command of that whole area, technically he was the head of the Message Center. I found out later, that he pretty much let the Sergeants that were running the Message
Center operate without his bothering them except for big decisions that he had to be called in on.
Anyway, one of my friends from there, Sergeant Long, had us transferred and he told us that the head of the Message Center at that time, the Message Center Chief, was the
Chief Warrant Officer but it was an old regular Army man, a man who had been a
Sergeant before the war and been demoted to Chief Warrant Officer. His health was bad and he was getting pretty old. He was going back to the states on furlough and then he was going to get a medical discharge.
So the Colonel said, “You two study with the Chief Warrant Officer, Connely, I think was his name, closely so that you will be qualified to take over when he does go back. If he
recommends that you are qualified, to take over, I willlet you do it, Message Center
20 Chief. By then Lieutenant General Richardson had taken over as commander of the
whole department. A General who had been Commander on the day of Pearl Harbor,
General Short, had been relieved of duty in disgrace, you might say, and a General by
the name of, Iforget his name, Harmon, Ithink it was.
He had been transferred to command the Alaska department and General Richardson came out and took over the whole Central Pacific. He was in command of all Army troops in the whole Central Pacific and Admiral Nimitz had replaced Admiral Kimmel after Pearl Harbor and he was in command of all the Naval forces in the Central Pacific, and technically, in command even over the Army. Although, he and General
Richardson worked pretty much in unison. Admiral Nimitz had been appointed to take over the Pacific Fleet before Midway and, if you’ve studied the history of the Battle of
Midway, it was his brilliant maneuvering with a very limited force of carriers that enabled us to win the Battle of Midway and sink 4 Japanese carriers. That was probably the key naval battle of the war. Admiral Nimitz had his commandship you might call it, to his
Headquarters was at Pearl Harbor. General Richardson had taken over all Army troops. Colonel Mahan told Sergeant Long, “The new table of organization that will be out one of these times willcall for the Message Center Chief to be a Warrant Officer.
So ifyou guys do okay, I could be able to get you a promotion to Warrant Officer. When we took over, first we became Buck Sergeants and then we became Tech Sergeants.
One interesting thing was that shortly after Ijoined the Message Center, Major Hatch
(he was now) was back in Classification, he borrowed me back from Colonel Mahan and said, “One of our Forward units out on Forward Island, the Adjutant of that unit had wired back to the Headquarters that they wanted to retest and reassign some of the troops and he was short handed and some of his Adjutant personnel had not been
21
away.
stepping
of
The
the
Once
Officers,
area
Ocean We
was
everybody
new pretty These
flying
classification
and We with
to trained
back
the
help
Headquarters.”
had
Marines
flew
the
among helped
patch
me.
war.
I
and
The
back,
were
interesting.
got
Area.
guys
them
this
in
emblem
stones
that
out
He
he
testing.
back
interesting
on
had
At
for
the
that
other
new
out
had
on
sent
with
had
process
commanded
Murphy
the
the
Guam on
Adjutant
to
one
to
here,
Murphy
of
invaded
POA
same
sleeve
been
the
troops
me
lead
their
the
It
He
this
So
of
was
and
the process.
thing
and
and
and
Message
called
patch,
Navy’s
just
up,
sleeve promoted
command.
time,
said,
there
called
and
kind
the
next
I
I
then
Saipan
the
eventually,
a
there
spoke
both
the
little
it
the
they
island
of
“Boy,
PBY
and
time
when
respect
meant
we
the
So
Center
an
had headquarters
Army
was
to
bit
about
and
saw
helped
flew
Major
flying
POA they
The
interesting
being
of
Sergeant,
I
satisfaction
that
went
the
that
Tarawa
to
Tinian,
right
that
invaded
and
back
old
move,
Corporal
patch
the
boats.
Hatch
on
Headquarters
out
22
some
on
out
patch
away
Hawaiian
settled
our
big
to
Kwajalein
here
the
to
so
thing,
which
that
there,
they’re
Shafter.
the
asked
men
sleeves We
islands
in
send
we
on
because
Murphy
key
sure
that.
General
in,
island
spent
by
the
were
was
set
it
Department
islands.
the
Colonel
gonna
out
had
that
there
makes
U.S.
of
sleeve,
and
I
up
that
one
remember
of
Pacific
a
sent
about
the
it
been
Richardson
the
time
couple
said,
Kwajalein.
Army
when
get
was
went
of
Marianas Mahann
That
Shafter
out
testing
even
the
4
our
shot
War
done
emblem
“There’s
a
or
we Forces, to
of
onto
was
Colonel
bloodiest
when
uniforms
5
this
experienced
the
at.”
really
got
away
process
look
days
for
had
Those
troop
where
still
Junior
Forward
out
That
me
that
we
guys
Pacific
good.
heated
said
out
who with.
a
to
had
ships
were
landings
in
year
were
crucial
and
was
there
from
the
come
that
had
a
area.
men
up. fort
comes
and
hand-to-hand
and
been
Richardson’s would
duty
in
interesting.
General
General the
come to
such
of when
different on
was
became
Ruffner
been
charge
his correspondence
the
you Commanding
it
and
someone
Message
that
had
in
office.
across
then
I
from
Gi,
would
are
but
on
Richardson Ruffner
General
places
Long
of
or
a
take
G2,
the
the
tag
he
not
the
By
were
Aide
something
It
means
come
would
that
Center went
hadn’t
invasion
then,
G3
General
to
on
that
Message
over
first
Richardson’s
General.
classified
call
came
it
or
General
coming
across
as
to
that or
and
that
of
be
and
Quartermaster,
been
one
Chief
some
have
Message
course,
of
that
that
on
down
said,
he
the
be
Center
Kwajalein
of
in
dispatches
day
there
General
“Top
Richardson
decided
but
says
on me
I
General
your
of
addressed
thought
“Hand-to-Hand”.
and
Chief
we
duty.
his
night
several
take
Secret”
Center very
in
“Hand-to-Hand”
messengers,
were
he
staff
the
Ruffner
that
whether
of
duty.
it
Engineer
wants
One
long
ought
had
that
to
day
Staff.
had
weeks
section.
Chiefs
open
to
or
came
GI
23
an
of
until
needed
the
Then
time
whatever
this
in
to
became
the
or
to
envelope
From
on
mind,
go
or
Commanding
or
up
we
when
he
some
He
handle
taken
and
interesting
the
But
a
something,
whatever,
straight
you
to
was
could
to
24
gave
then
because
Sergeant
following the
Chief
some
that
go
a
other
hour
or and
in it
promoted
message
Headquarters
on,
up
designate.
it
Sergeant
himself
they
his
to
to
of
it’s
very
basis.
section.
things
on
there
the
as
General,
me
hand,
Staff.
One
his
to
week,
needed
Long,
instead
Message
key
CG,
go
or
and
name
envelope
to
were
day
was
One
Long
to
a
Whenever
to
Major
dispatches
90%
the
It
I
I’d
sealed
he
send
would
didn’t
Admiral
General
was
to
and
of
that
was
30
week
be
said,
other
has
go
Center
being
of
General
some
on
very evidently
like
it
I
Carl
all
go
straight
take
envelope,
to
hadn’t
into
I
“This
night
Chief,
would
I
Nimitz
the
this
directly
take
were
sent
would
Chief
it
and
bulk
to
to
it
out
he be
Nimitz.
office.”
three
I was
said,
and for
Admiral
into
Master on
Marine
hail and
a Admiral
Inside There’s
driver
building driver to
yourself.
have
ship.
the
the
be
there the
standing
and
he
“Spruance”.
highest
a
given
Admiral.”
had
and
the
top
Admiral
“I
Sergeant
Master
said,
inner
message
You
was
a
a is
up
have
was
blue
It’s
stairway
entrance
floor
aboard.
evidently
went
on
to
there,
have
“You
officers
there
office.
not
a
anybody
a
the
Sergeants,
flag
of
Nimitz
desk
out
message
He
seated
to
for
the
I
to
go
hill
I
it to
came
up
Remember
way,
be
to
thought,
opened
been
use
I
the meant
in
down
and
Admiral’s
me.
saw
looking
didn’t there
Pearl
turned
the
but
over
Admiral.”
Navy
a
to
another
out
for then
him
He
whole Marine
that the
he
attention
and
even
the
Harbor.
“My
in
the
there
right
over
said,
lingo
and was
Admiral
when
you
Headquarters,
the
passageway
door
that’s
gosh,
Admiral
damned
look
desk
was
down
When
to
I
onboard.
chair,
before.
“When
are
when
said,
and
you
By
and
one
got
up
on
or
there.”
here’s
a
then
over
I it
little go
the
from
24
“I
said,
but
of
you’re
an
Guard
a
Pacific
said
you
seemed
have
He
circle
your
in
and
officer
other
they
Admiral
I
Pearl
bit
an
they
got
General
there,
get
“Go
said
the
So
in
to duty.
a
you
Iowa
messengers
Fleet
of
had
up
I
up
there.”
Admiral message was
called
the on
to
followed Harbor
to
in
five
you’re
go
there
Turner
to
me
his
me,
farm
in.”
built
and
I
left
Richardson.”
standing
the told
stars
up
office.”
just
it
So “You
of
I
and
that,
and
they a
his
that
boy
top
went not
the
him
from
looked
the
new,
for
on
or
I
“Flagship”.
went we
there
going
deck,
standing
ladder.” see
are
of
instructions.
what
anybody
by
Nimitz,
it.
the
So
into
General
big
got
course,
the
That
all
that
up
to
I
split-second
was
That’s
this and
in
called
Headquarters
I
there.
the
here
was
and
door
a
flagpole?
a
It
in
means
else.
huge
one
you building,
sign
Richardson
When
looked
meant
building.
front
I
there
when
in
the
that
said,
The
Got
see
Marine
this
on
office
It’s
Jeep
the
of
went
the
for
that
up
like
Jeep
it
“Sir,
two
it’s
the
not
a I
came
that
“Somebody’s
overhead
right
of
saw
the
island
knew
and
and
this
harbor,
I walking
happened on
One
toward
something
Admiral
and
I
got
went
them.
their
pictures
the
would
troops
it
LCI
out
saluted
out
would
3
that
was
of
down
carrier
flag
there
some
of
shoulders.
a
meant
Turner
there
Saipan,
As
and
they
few
there.
was
have
somewhere,
and
like
be
that
of
I
him
to
going
were
was
other
right
planes
paces
the
I walking
were
that,
when
Landing
equipment
Pearl
noticed
held
they
been
and
one
I
getting
war,
over
didn’t
a
to
area
They
and
being
out
bunch
flew, in
turned
of
Harbor
flying I
catch
early
went
a
those
front
something
I
the the
Craft
his
few
always
of
even
don’t
were
in
his
equipped
was
the
in
echelon
top
of
key
hell
my
out
hand
on
of
paces
I’d
look
Infantry.
1944
5-Star
LSTs
count
know
harbor
him
his
being
my
of
Jeep,
later,
for battles
occasionally
there
and
Admiral
pretty
bodyguards.
unusual.
heel
that.”
off
I
behind
and
skimmed
where
because
them,
had
Flag,
put now
all
were
said,
and
to
I
of
an
could
small,
LCIs
of
the
a
on
the
By
25
this
just
Nimitz’s
always
message
him
but
got
they
a
these
“I’ll
those
Down
other
see
the
sudden
war.
we
docked.
across
see
would
quivered.
there
out
take
but
off
came
One
time
Admiral
were
two
maybe
to
side.
a
landing
of
Headquarters really
at
I
it,
didn’t
lot
must
to
one
have
Palm
there.
very
here
one
we
big
from,
Sergeant.”
getting
LST
take
of
They
they
My
got
side
old
Nimitz
going
of
activity.
have interesting
think
came
been
crafts.
Circle
meant
but out
Every
the
Jeep
out
Marine
are
and
each
ready
off
too
been
to
they
several
going
loading
two
of
and
of
pretty
In
So
driver the
time
Pearl
to
Landing
Evidently,
the
much
had
General
the
to
Army
Master
zoomed
thing,
his
a
I
they
other
walking
handed
invade
Jeep, dozen
afterward,
big
months
areas
carbines
movies
Harbor.
said,
mess
about
were
P-38s,
that
Ship
boats.
would
Sergeants.
supplies
here
right
or
the
in
down
or
it
it.
or
later,
so
Tank
to
fifteen
the
When
slung
zoom
when
be
in
him
I
I
low just
records work
got was
years
History
anything
One
coach
That just
later
Court-Martial
didn’t
water
Later
like
burning
But
Harbor
big
Nimitz
Richardson’s
pretty
kick
on
Pearl
before
it
day
got
a
information
on,
and
had
report
with
and
fellow
and
Channel
night
and
parts
out
pretty
about
he
slack,
they
Harbor,
I
all
principal,
burning
an
never
General
then
came
of
it,
duty
that
blown
hearings
so
Headquarters
invasion
had
it.
slow, they
that
these
on
was
three
she
had
They
and
heard
to
in
a
oil
TV.
big
up
kept
Richardson
fact,
he
so
me Court-Martial
told
kept
been on
guys
late
or
to
in
explosion
movement, thought
one
had
Anyway,
of
and
the
top
a
four
we
try
us
something
pretty
at
that
tremendous
liked
a
spent
of
so
to
news
all
of
said,
kind
night
student
other
the
determine
until
low.
it,
about
it
both
to much
was
out
not
of
**Tape
having
25
“Say,
media
and
guys
we
information
get
ships
the
called
They
had
there
more
put
years
of
the
great.
kind
called
secret
Tokyo
explosion
other
tuned
mine
when
to
out
from
caused
Malfunction**
were
big
if
were
26
of it
than
of
that
swim
in
the
what
The
explosion
got out
those
night during
from
the
Rose.
you
in
reporting
back
caught
repairing
had
a
“Second
Tokyo
all some
through
Admiral
Navy
that
week
they
were
back
I
landing
of
to
saw
been
the
Usually
destroyed
the
afire.
the
called
high
in
Rose. and
after
it
out
years
in
a
it.
Pearl
that.
back
Pearl
an
dispatches
the
states
program
craft.
there,
retired
brass
So
Men
that
accident
she
“All
states,
that
In
in
The
Harbor”.
Harbor.
the
the
was
night
the
explosion
Units”.
played
were
I
did
officers
I
as
was
shore
next
about
was
ship
states
too.
taken
censored.
you
a
or
duty
jumping
in
Senior
The
day,
a
sabotage. Because
Bing
The
and
was
the to Pearl
it
know
teacher,
In
when
occurred,
at
on
care
conduct
fact,
Japanese
Admiral
scattered
GIs
Crosby
Navy
the
almost
the
Chief.
into
They
of
things
got
time.
years
it
and
25
was
the
a I knew more about it than the people back in the states had been told. Later on, just before the invasion of Saipan, all of this is pretty much in detail in my book, “Snafus and
Love Letters”. Later, one night the guys got Tokyo Rose tuned in later at night. Iwasn’t
paying much attention, because I was writing a letter to Enid. I wasn’t paying much attention to Tokyo Rose, but one of the fellows said, “Hey, Tokyo Rose just said our invasion force is moving toward Saipan.” It was right. The big invasion force was. The
Japanese knew that we were coming but they weren’t able to stop us. It got to that point.
I’mout of breath now. I’lltake a little break here.
All during these months, I had been exchanging letters with Enid. She had left her job as a Secretary in Des Moines and gone to California - Englewood, California, where her older sister and her husband lived and had jobs in Defense Plants. Enid had been a
Secretary at Coca Cola in Los Angeles. Later, she went to San Diego and became a
Secretary for the Engineer at the Ryan Aircraft Factory at San Diego. They were making the Corsair Fighter Planes and putting them on the Aircraft Carriers. She had an office. In her office she could look out over San Diego Harbor and see the big carriers and other big war ships coming and going. One reason she had moved down there was that, as developed in my book, our letters had become more intimate and my girlfriend in Chicago had sent me a “Dear John Letter”. She figured I’dbe out there for the duration, I guess, so she had another suitor that she’d gone to and they were married and that suited me because by then my interest was more directed toward Enid but Enid’s friend was a fighter pilot and I thought he was still probably number one so my letters were not asking her to be my one and only or anything like that. We were just very close friends. Letters were getting more what you would call love letters all the
27
would
were
So
All
Majors even
said,
your
Dormitory
a
my she
seen
on War
today.
Then
I
Harris
a
time.
photo through,
1945,
got
whole
beautiful
twelve
I
November
quarters
can
went
friend.”
in Department,
word
more
“My
each
have
she
and
I In
have
in
She
the
got
sympathize
letter
January
the of
senior
ahead
were
and
said
from
that
send
other
Infantry;
studio
meant
a
sent
course,
been
and
Air
I
bigger
about
22,
went
there
the
close
I
a
year
with
Corps, me it
may
for
wrote
friend
of
photograph.
returned
1944
to
a
“Major
thing
ahead
but
one
3
the
were
envelope
lot it
with
1945,
me,
the
friends
in
not
years,
but
her
to
she
and
college
one
of
photograph
that
was
rest
you.
so
have
Harris
each
twelve
I’ll
the
I
and
a
marked
got
had
his
was
I
do
of
really
but
letter
a
of
could
family
and
I
heard
Sergeant
in
mine
other, In
a
death
that
I
the
know
Cornell
promised
he
was
an
Seniors.
letter
the
fact,
and there’s
was
“Deceased”.
put
was
letter.
Aviation
later. and
today
and
of.
letter
President
but
it’s has
that
from
I
the
it
was
said,
a
in
and
up
One
now
hard,
now
my
now
28
dear
This
That
Nine
that the
(there’s
same
shocker,
by
her.
shot
Cadet
one
“The
photograph.
was
six
I
he
letter
been
Enid,
my
is friend
his
had
of was
of
photograph
of
She
was down
must
a
what
us
a
Sergeant
photograph
parents
a
killed
letter
them
been
she
kind she
Lieutenant
confirmed.”
but
copy
were
and
had
a
be
they
in
Private.
said,
had
if
of
of
in
are
after
aerial
I
a
sent
your
of
When
starters
have
will
a sympathy
a
gallant
called
Quarters.
the
mentioned
stands
training
now
shocker
“My
her
is
never
me
friend
Colonel
combat
been
letter
She
Now
beautiful.
I
dead
last
to
opened
snapshots
the
on
memory,
here
get
forget
accident,
said,
had
for
to
the
they’re notified
six
in
Athletic
January
in
and
several
over
me.
my
a
the
on
letters
football
this
returned
big
it,
“We
I
him.”
two
book)
my
could
not
loss
there
Belgium
I
all
all
by
studio
war,
went
two
20,
things.
hadn’t
desk
to
were
gone.
a
the
of
team.
Then
sad
I
write
was
you to
Well,
Force
Tokyo
thing
(end
command
General
down
the
would
Richardson
landing.
Hawaii,
Marine commanded
divisions
Marine commander
worked
Headquarters. Getting
ever
past. one.
Navy.
of
there
I
wrote
58.
and
wrote
Rose It’s
dismiss
I
tape
General
officer.
don’t
because
out.
back
Smith
Boy,
and
time
It
General
by
They
for
and
was
had
had
1)
in
in
General by
think
to
an
a
did
when
a
that
my
the
He
Of
while.
the I
an
had
relieved
consisted just
told
Major
Infantry
thought
he
that
book
that’s
course,
Richardson
Battle
had
Army was
big
didn’t
we
a
furious
us
Richardson
stir
Court-Martial
General
The
battle
been
that
in
both
later,
what
the
division.
officer
very
of
up
command
think
of
we
Army
Saipan
about
night
Army
have
seven
a
fired
Admiral
at
carefully. he
had
appointed
mess.
in
that
whose
Saipan.
would
and
that
the
and
by
it.
General to
General
a
was
(7)
the
hearing
couple
of
look
the
There
Army
the
Spruance
the
The
things
name
Battleships,
the
want.”
Army
a
I
Marines
On
another
Marines
didn’t
forward
invasion
29
Marine
Army
of
landing.
Smith
of
was
of
about
the
settled
was
his
division
his
Army
It
want
had
day,
an was
was
command
command.
didn’t
Lieutenant
General,
General
to
Smith,
were
that
force
fifteen
awful
down,
Ground
divisions
the
built
to
furious
dispatches
one
had
but
think
say
almost
future
was
also.
up
brouha
of
(15) to
moved
they
was
but
and
the
level
this, the
that
General
the
head
moving
I
out
know
and
it
Aircraft
A
at
wrong
given
got
sent
most
was
Army
were
a
there
Major
between
what
fast
each
had
that
not
Marine’s
the
General
him
toward
a
Holland
another
difficult
two
enough
coming thing.
division
sadly
they
Carriers,
division.
too.
pretty
thing
others
General.
back
Marine
the
called
The
General
Saipan. back
calmed
It
tricky
letters
Smith,
throats.
Army into
in to
...
all
I
The
their overall
.
think
The
It
at
Task
the
was
and
I
the a
mainland.
another. the
but Then
book There
After
Walker
back
only that
that
occurred
the
Japanese
would
would
Admiral
my
ships.
pretty
Pacific,
Destroyers
Mariana
it
Japanese
book,
battle,
our
had
was
that
the
to
we
are
come.
near
have
When
Bush.
his
General
Carriers
Halsey.
captured
Saipan
From
20
was
was
used
a
I
That
Admiral
the
ship. wrote twenty
—
lot
Islands.
to
planes
a
Tokyo
called
The
presented
Carriers,
He
Tinian,
send
Americans
of
as
was
tremendous
battle
could MacArthur’s
What
(Editor’s
that
incidental
landed
a the
Navy
named
(20)
shot
the
base
out
the
Rose
Big
the
little
they
then
get
a
four
heavy
pivotal
their
was
Great
down
to
B-29’s
change
in
for
Navy
shot
Note:
Ozawa.
said
warning
island
could
the
things
we
the
different
Naval
the
Aircraft
ready
command,
Cruisers
that
Marianas
down
point
Museum
the
invaded
High
Pacific
now
B-29
This
from
fly
of
that
Force.
day.
for
invasion
By
in
Tinian.
all
Command
were
in
times
Carriers
an
time
was
Bombers.
when
then
them.
happened
and
the the
and
Guam,
estimated
One
Turkey
(Snafus
had
30
That
coming
later
to
way
war.
they
the
the
thirty
It
force
I
send
a
of
to
During
first
was
tremendous
submarine
American
and
was
in
in
thought
them
sent
try
Shoot.
and
That’s
(30)
then
the was
to
got
out
much
our
315
to
that
only
Tokyo
out the
Love was
war.)
out
stop
just
light
that moving
planes
planes
the
the You
was
an
smaller
landing
part
there
radar
piloted
one
fished
Cruisers
us
Letters).
I
and
Japanese
attack
main
Navy
have
may
a
of
and
up
to
I
after pretty
and
had
think.
bomb
the
for
than
Saipan,
to
him
objective
down
by
have
written
the
force
we
meet
and
Navy.
the
gotten
another
George
rugged
out
Guam
Navy
the
High
The
heard
had
there
Battle
sixty
plane,
then
about
them
and
Japanese
South
so
Americans
in
Command
so
hoped
after
and
battle
Herbert
(60)
under
capturing
took
of
proficient
at
later
few
under
and
in
that.
Saipan
Saipan
my
they
him
also.
in
what
a In
General.
said,
Army
his
one,
to
there
didn’t
to
“Seriously,
of
didn’t
Have
Jeep
from
first
to
don’t friends.
guy
We
is
on
Later
me.
guard
those
hand
it?”
Schofield
the
two,
got
“Did
don’t
as
from
that
I
pulled
see
you
you
have
on,
saw
As
The
envelope
a
there,
so
that
it
Any
He
three
you
we Captain,
anybody
got
have
look one
General I
if
that
a
I
slipped
any
General’s
anybody
up
said,
gave
barracks
Japanese
found
big
time
find
any
was day
up
big
first by
one
gate
gray-haired
said,
the
“Surely
Armies around
him
you
M.P.’s
the
silver
they
Richardson.” and
a
into some
Quonset
do
there.
Jungle
came
Army?”
Aide
and
General’s
the
“Tenth
find
we?
Kamikaze
then
the
brought
stars
there
new
Schofield?” Stamps,
out
out
letter
said,
a
room,
around.”
I
Training
We
I
Three-Star officer,
hut
said
here?”
Army”.
heard
on
behind
I
Quonset
in
said,
another
and
“I
don’t
Aide
maybe
He
his
the
to
he Ouffits
don’t
you
a
in the
saluted
said,
collar
“I
heard
So
Camp.
road,
He the
The
was
even
little
So
a
can
did
huts
know
there’s
Sergeant,
sealed
General
we
combat
said,
that
big
I
31
‘Well,
Aide
a
better
and
rustle
called
what
find
me
have
drove
and
Captain,
that
Quadrangle,
That
are
the
“Haven’t
and
I
something handed
some
envelope
was
said,
I
uniform
went
had
than
there in
a
the
going
guess
General
was
down
“I’m
Tenth
the
then
supposed
Jeep
recently
and
High
“Sir,
that,
back
is
a
office. looking
seen
to
it
there
I’m
he
seated
rugged
bound
Army. to
to
he
where
slip
didn’t
as
and
I
Brass
I
out
started
me
me.
have
it,
found
any, and
big
been
up
and
Sergeant” I
for
we
to
to
and
walked
to
at tell
place.
Maybe
we
The
as
on
I
in
a
but
my
the
be
got
drove
be a
I
a
to
letter built.
there.
went me.”
I
an
had
us.”
desk
Lieutenant
the
said,
only
Jeep.
maybe
Tenth
turn
an
to
Army.
in
Then
on
been
about
be
Army gate,
for
and
in
There
He
He
there
thing
with
and
“Tenth
They
paper,
the
pretty
Army.
the
The
said,
it’s was
on
held
when Why
but
his
close
I
30
building, written
and
was
Tenth saw
some
told
down
driver
Army?
a
where
good
back
they
miles
out
nice
I
a us
Why
So
but
over
“Well,
So could
a
of
and
Colonel
furlough,
back
were
during
and Army
other
Grant.
General
Simon
complaint War
by.”
Redistribution
the
there
when
there
get
didn’t
to
the
in
Department,
Actually,
apply on
Stamps,
Japanese
units
and
anyone
that
Bolivar
the
From
home
Mahann
war
I
the
is word
in
but
was.
I
at
between
nobody
the
period,
building
states,
get
for
line in
the
I
then
and
came
hadn’t
I
I
inexperienced, reassignments
Europe Buckner,
Confederate
a
I
Act
don’t
recognized
mainland.
to
wrote
time
then
furlough?
to
back
so on
I
else
be
and
up the
had
that
be
been
know
there
he
told General
transferred
was
a
Enid.
Army
the
I’ve
before
men
Jr.
been
vast
finally
Sergeant
me
given
when
While wasn’t
coming
who
Senior
My
qualified
Army,
His
that
She
Army
and
when
overseas
and
in
Buckner
got
Mother
father
it
the
any
I
had
to
Sergeant
the
was
was
any.
the
who
Sergeant can
Long
Officer
a
to
under
Sergeant
the
States.
30-day
yet,
and
Marines
a
been
“Big
had
wondering
because
let
felt
had
had
close
three
Then
Pacific
wasn’t
unless
then
32
his
you
on
the
been
Dance”
Long
overseas
to
been
furlough
Danker
So
the
command.
years and
Long he
go
surrender over
the
same
and
coming
that’s
he
you
an
started
was Court-Martial
now.
appointed
why
some
other
he
had
Saipan.
gets
officer
and it
can
way
could
to
was
so
home,
what
called
I
back,
been
I
didn’t
come
Sergeant
of
back,
I designing
long
act
can’t
Fort
This
and
was
drawing
in
the
train
he
to
as
It
it
they
the
sent
Donaldson
Colonel and
want
I home.
was
was
turn
supposed
which
you
divisions
command
did.
Board
tried
Acting
somebody
Confederate
had
had had
up
to
the
can
in divisions
Lieutenant
to
to
was
the
from,
a
to
come
Mahann
what
dependents a
Chief
Message
explain
get
climax.
from
listen
wife
to
to
Spring
the
the
your
I
in get
General
they
home.
and
suppose
with
Tenth
and
Europe
invasion
a
Army.
to
General
that
said,
a
All
hurry.
furlough
of
the
the
Center called
you,
child
1945
A the
was
Forward
had
called
do
General
He
General
on
Doctors
didn’t
Private.
Washington
been
was
My killed
“Third turned
He
but
Okinawa
there
censored,
it,
Balmer
and
experience
developing.
best
was
he
he secured.
a
“Combat
want
him.
was
Fleet”.
the
General
had
young
areas
respectfully
Thompson
Degree
Balmer,
the
friend
He
invasion,
to
you
a
to
rest
It
been
was
highest
when
take lot
was
be
in
instructor
during He
Correspondents”
as
General
know.
of
that
Thompson
in
Balmer
conflict,
the
teaching
promoted.
in
a
a
the
writers,
had
he
English.
kept
Admiral
the
very
commission
declined.
ranking
was
Commandant
went
those
Okinawa
A
gone
hot
Buckner
working
applied
at
tragic
huge
observe
going
in
could
the
into
would
seat
Spruance
Our
years
officer
the
up
He
Then
Fleet
university
thing.
on
the
battle
toward
said,
for
be so
University
General
that
because
was
on
and
impress
of
that
of
killed
service
classified long
that
Balmer
moved
the
service
enlists
Fort
“I
killed
over
write
was
I
the
came
Army
and
couldn’t
that
English
in
Thompson,
Balmer
33 Sill
to
me
front
the
of
and
World
on
about
in
to
men
he was
Admiral
Admiral
Washington
as
back
in
came on
apply
with
Okinawa.
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