Stumbled across this. Folks touring modern day Hacksaw Ridge. Showing the cliff and the caves.
My Dad was in the 2nd Marine Division, and fought on Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian, wounded on the first two. His outfit was part of the floating reserve for Okinawa and he never landed. He was on Tinian waiting for what looked to be an eventual invasion of Japan when they dropped the two atomic bombs. Had enough points that he got to come home and was not a part of the occupation troops that went to Japan though several of the guys did. Only five of his platoon survived Tarawa in 1943 so most of the replacement guys didn't have the points (months in the service, months overseas, campaign stars, awards received such as the Purple Heart, etc.) that those who had been on Guadalcanal and Tarawa had. I met in person or spoke on the phone and corresponded with the other four of his platoon on Tarawa and all had been wounded so had points for the Purple Heart.Chipotlemonger said:
Wow that's amazing. What were the other 3? I'm reading through With The Old Breed right now actually and am near done.
You are welcome. Thanks for your interest in it.Chipotlemonger said:
Thanks for sharing that history.
I agree 100%. I've walked through Belleau Wood and there are craters where shells exploded in many places. I have waded into Red Beach #1 where my dad came ashore. I cannot imagine the sound, the smell, and the sheer terror those young men experienced. I held a Marine Corp ring found on one of the recoveries on Tarawa in 2015. Found with the remains of one of our guys going through the identification process. I thought about a family member being given it, 72 years after their Marine was killed. Then it occurred to me, he likely had no children, no grandchildren. But I hoped there was a niece or nephew who could be given that ring, someone in the family. As I held it, I wondered how he died. Was it instantaneously, or did he have time to think about never seeing family again.AgBQ-00 said:
I am continually humbled by what our warfighters endure. There is nothing I can say other than "thank you". I don't know how to express my gratitude, don't believe there are words that can.