Blood Is Thicker Than Water: WWII Landings in Guam *11

The Army, to the east advanced north of Pago Bay and took the eastern end of the Agana-Pago Bay Road. Then General Geiger ordered a pursuit as quickly as possible to prevent the Japanese from digging in.

The Army's advance on the east side of Guam had the 307th Infantry on the left and the 305th Infantry on the right.

A soldier recalls the drive to the east:

"The distance across the island is not far, as the crow flies, but unluckily we can't fly. The nearest I came to flying was while descending the slippery side of a mountain in a sitting position. ... After advancing a few yards you find that the handle of the machine gun on your shoulder, your pack and shovel, canteens, knife, and machete all stick out at right angles and are as tenacious in their grip on the surrounding underbush as a dozen grappling hooks. Straining, sweating, and swearing avails you nothing. ... The flies and mosquitoes have discovered your route of march and have called up all the reinforcements including the underfed and undernourished who regard us as nothing but walking blood banks. We continue to push on." ... Guam Operations of the 77th Division

Advancing toward Barrigada, the 307th Infantry and the 706th Tank Battalion encountered Japanese resistance along with tanks around the water well on 2 August. That night the Japanese with drew from Barrigada which was taken the next morning by the 307th.

After an artillery barrage, the 307th took Mount Barrigada on 3 August. On the extreme east, the 305th blazed trails through the jungle while advancing north on top of the northern plateau of Guam. That night, small groups of Japanese harassed the Army's front lines.

To the west, the 9th Marines captured Tiyan Airfield on the morning of Aug. 2. The next day, Aug. 3, the 9th encountered and captured a major Japanese strongpoint at Finegayan; that night, the Japanese counterattacked but were repulsed.

On 4 August, the 21st Marines took over the center of the Marines' line. On the evening of the 4th, the 9th Marines reached a Japanese roadblock along the Finegayan-Barrigada Road while the 3d Marines had reached Naton Beach on Tumon Bay.

On the 4th, the 307th advanced along the road to Finegayan to regain contact with the Marines to the north. Three road blocks were attacked with two taken from the Japanese. However, the third was held by the 9th Marines. In a case of mistaken identity, a firefight erupted and seven Marines were wounded but the two forces were linked up again.

On the east, the 305th battled the jungle more than the enemy as several units became confused and lost. Nevertheless, by the end of 4 August, the Army advanced north to Pagat.

On the 5th, the 306th Infantry replaced the 305th on the Army's left while the 305th Infantry continued its floundering advance through the heavy jungle on the right.

On the night of 5 August, a few Japanese tanks attacked a portion of the 305th line and then escaped. The next day, while advancing, the 305th encountered severe firing from two Japanese tanks, but finally took the area with mortar support. On the left on the 5th, the 306th advanced from the east side of Mount Barrigada and encountered Japanese opposition when the Yigo Road was reached. Again advancing on the 6th, a concealed Japanese tank was found during the advance toward Yigo. By the end of the day, the 305th retook a position in the advancing line, this time in the center.

On Guam's western coast, during 5-6 August, the 3d and 21st Marines advanced north with little opposition reaching as far north as Ague on the western coastline. However, the 9th Marines fought to clear over 700 defending Japanese at Finegayan on the 5th with renewed scattered resistance on the 6th.

"The elimination of 737 Japanese around the Finegayan positions broke the outer ring of Mt. Santa Rosa defense. ... The action also cleared the key road. ... This would now permit the movement of equipment and supplies to all corps units with less difficulty. The four days of close, almost hand-to-hand combat, however, had resulted in 18 Marines being killed and 141 wounded." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam

After attacks by P-47s and B-26s flying from Saipan and bombardment by offshore warships, the 305th and 307th Infantry attacked Mount Santa Rosa on the 7th and took the mountain on the 8th.

One Japanese officer later wrote:

"The enemy airforce seeking our units during the daylight hours in the forest, bombed and strafed even a single soldier. During the night, the enemy naval units attempting to cut our communications were shelling our position from all points of the perimeter of the island, thus impeding our operation activities to a great extent." ... Japanese Defense of Guam

The 706th Tank Battalion, driving north along the Yigo road encountered Japanese resistance on the 7th which was cleared the same day. The Japanese counterattacked the 306th Infantry the night of the 7th, but was repulsed. By night of the 8th, the Army was north of Yigo at Salisbury and Anao.

On the left, the Marines advanced now with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade now on the left. On the 7th, the Third Marines overcame a roadblock of anti-tank guns and another on the 8th.

"The capstone to the good news of 7 August was furnished by planes of MAG-21. During the day VMF-225 began flying routine combat air patrols from Orote, relieving Navy planes of this responsibility. ... With its own air defense garrison in operation, Guam was a long step forward in its development as a major Allied base for further moves against Japan." ... Central Pacific Drive, History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II

Source

continued below...

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Guam Secured... finale

Marines manning a 37 mm gun watch us tanks roll past in the final offensive drive against Japanese organized resistance.



GUAM SECURED: 10 AUGUST 1944

Moving quickly up the west coast, by mid-afternoon on the 8th, the 22d Marines reached Ritidian Point including sending a patrol down the cliff to the beach. That night, the 3d Marines encountered five enemy tanks. Then on 9 August, the 9th Marines reached Pati Point. On 10 August, General Geiger announced that organized resistance on Guam had ended.

"Japan's grip on the Marianas was broken and the end of the war was now just slightly over a year away." ... War in the Pacific Park Brochure

THE LAST STAND

However, General Obata's command post in Mataguac, Yigo was not destroyed until the 11th by the 306th Infantry. Obata's final message to Japan: "I have accepted the important post of the army commander and although I exerted all-out effort, the fortune of war has not been with me. The fighting has not been in our favor since the loss of Saipan. We are continuing a desperate battle on Guam."

"Officers and men have been lost, weapons have been destroyed, and ammunition has been expended. We have only our bare hands to fight with. The holding of Guam has become hopeless. I will engage the enemy in the last battle with the remaining strength at Mount Mataguac tomorrow, the 11th. My only fear is that report of death with honor (annihilation) at Guam might shock the Japanese people at home. Our souls will defend the island to the very end; we pray for the security of the Empire."

"I am overwhelmed with sorrow for the families of the many fallen officers and men."

The search for the remaining Japanese soldiers would continue for over a year. Numerous stragglers would survive in Guam's jungles only to slowly starve and or be killed.

"It was our experience that the Japanese, remaining Japanese troops, the stragglers, were very strongly motivated not to surrender. I had an experience where, during one of these patrols, I was given a Japanese officer to help us and he had a speaker with him and his function was to speak out at the edge of the jungle for these people to come out. ... they were not all willing to do that." ... "I thought they were very motivated, highly motivated ... in keeping honor to their country as soldiers of Japan." ... Lt. Pete Siquenza, 3rd Marine Division

In the Liberation, U.S. forces suffered over 7,000 casualties. More than 17,500 Japanese defenders died. In the 1970s, the Chamorro War Reparations Commission listed over 700 Chamorro people who died as a result of World War II.

"Perhaps, the blackest days of Guam's long and chaotic history were those endless months between spring and summer of 1944 when the population suffered the extreme miseries of occupation while awaiting the return of their American protectors. ... Many stories of heroism and brutality have come out of the Japanese occupation of Guam, ... The Guamanian people suffered every possible kind of humiliation and many of them the most unspeakable and degrading death at the hands of the enemy." ... Charles Beardsley, Guam Past and Present

After the Liberation, Guam was forever changed.

The Island Command's Civil Affairs Section took to the task of caring for over 18,000 homeless Chamorros. Refugee camps were set up in Anigua, Agat and Yona. Some people were allowed to return to their villages, as patrols declared the areas secure. However, some would never return to their original villages.

As the military build-up continued, lands were taken for "airfields, combat firing ranges, training areas, camp sites, and supply depots." Navy Seabees and Army engineers bulldozed the destroyed Agana, and constructed new roads and water pipelines. Orote, Agana, Harmon, North and Northwest airfields were built.

Over 200,000 military personnel were sent to Guam. Virtually, in a few short months, Apra Harbor Naval Operating Base was built and Guam became a major forward command base. Supplies, equipment, and ammunition were stored in immense facilities. Guam became known as the "Pacific Supermarket," one of the largest military supply points in history. All to further the end of the war with Japan. By 1945, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was directing the war from Nimitz Hill. From the Mariana Islands, specifically Guam, Saipan, and Tinian, B-29s flew bombing runs to Japan.

"To the average American participant in the Marianas campaign, the war was on a minute-to-minute basis. Big picture strategy had no place in his personal struggle to survive, and even today his picture of the operation is a compound of individual memories that probably missed this history and many others. Yet no matter how small a part an individual took in capturing these islands, he is justified in feeling he helped shorten the war. For it was from the Marianas that ships, planes, and men struck out to bring defeat to Japan." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam

In August 1945, the "Enola Gay" took off from Tinian. On board the bomber was the world's first Atomic Bomb, destined for Japan, for Hiroshima. A few days later another atomic bomb, dropped from the bomber Bock's Car, would would hit Nagasaki.

In Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945, on board the battleship, the USS Missouri, surrender documents were signed. The two military leaders who oversaw the two-pronged Allied offensive in the Pacific led the officials accepting Japan's surrender. Representing the Allied powers as Supreme Commander was General Douglas MacArthur and representing the United States was Admiral Nimitz.

After 1,364 days, the War in the Pacific ended.

Source

This wraps up the Guam series ... shortly, we will travel to Iwo Jima.

Speech delivered by an unknown speaker....

I wanted to share this with you. Uncle Lonnie told me I could use some of it, but the presentation of such words should be kept intact and presented whole. It's so touching and I know it is all so very true.

Thank you to departed generations who raised our Greatest Generation!

***

Memorial Service
6th ROC 51st Reunion
16 April 1992

Just a few weeks ago, I was asked to take part in this memorial service to remember and honor Marines of the 6th Reserve Officers Class who have died, some in battle and some in peace.

I had never heard of the 6th ROC, I didn’t know any of you or your story. I was less than a year old as you formed your bonds of friendship. Friendships of loyalty and trust fused in the hardships of training, battle and blood. In time of peace it grew in celebration and sharing your lives. I didn’t know you, yet I am a part of you, just as you are a part of each other. You have impacted my life and the people of this United States in the form of peace and freedom that we all experience and enjoy.

We pause now to reflect and to remember you, the Marines of the 6th ROC who served and fought for our nation. We especially come to honor those who have died, some in the heat of battle and some in the stillness of peace. Dare I say you/they are intertwined in life and death, in memory, in character, in dedication and in service and loyalty to your country.

These men we honor were the product of the Great Depression. Men who worked and struggled to reach their goals, to rise above, to earn college degrees, secure jobs and carve out lives and livings. Men who achieved their goals despite hardships and adversity.

They came from every part of the nation; the big cities; the cotton fields of the South; the ranches and oil fields of Texas and Oklahoma; the farms of the Mid-West; the Rocky Mountains of the West and the rolling hills of the East; from deserts, woodlands, coal fields, sandy beaches and distant islands of Hawaii. No section of this nation failed to give her youth.

These men (you) came from families that instilled in the hearts of these young warriors faith, belief in God, honest work, patriotism, loyalty and most of all a love for their country. These things do not just happen and they are not learned in military training (just honed).

When this country in 1941 called, they responded by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Their oath, “I do solemnly swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States,” and they became PFCs in the Marine Corps Reserve. Each was labeled “best qualified” and designation as “principals” and ordered to active duty in the Third Candidates Class. Those who survived graduated as Second Lieutenants five months later and became members of the 6th ROC. A short time afterward they were joined by 25 officers from the class of ’42, U.S. Naval Academy, and 39 reserve officers. The class was interrupted by the Second World War and they were graduated early in 1942. They/you were scattered throughout the Corps. Members of the 6th ROC served in every campaign of World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Their countless deeds of heroism, sacrifice, dedication to duty and outstanding loyalty exceeded any expectations. To a man they excelled in superior performance despite overwhelming odds. Because of men like these (modern day centurion) it is no accident that citizens of our great land look upon the Marine Corps and those who serve as champions of nation honor, the embodiment of the highest ethical standards and the guidon for model military behavior in war and peace. It was their privilege to wear the Insignia of the U.S. Marine Corps, to be a part of the 6th ROC. It is our privilege to receive from them the heritage and traditions that they selflessly passed on to us, like a flaming baton, to light the way. Semper Fidelis Marines—you did your best. Sleep well.

Semper Fidelis to you marines who have remained true to your fallen friends and remain committed to each other and to the cause and belief in our God and your country. You have formed a bond which has become even stronger and closer over the many years after active duty.

Semper Fi, Marines of the 6th ROC.

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Liberating Guam *9

In the middle of a banana patch badly mauled by shelling, bombs and gunfire, Marines dig in and establish their position.

###

THE FINAL BEACHLINE

On the 28th, the 9th Marines moving south fought their way to the top of Mount Chachao.

"It had become increasingly evident that the principal Japanese battle position now lay along the Fonte-Chachao-Tenjo Ridgeline..." . . . Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam

"On Mt. Chachao, the Japanese had constructed a concrete emplacement in the center of the summit, with a series of foxholes and machine-gun positions nested in the surrounding cliffs to protect it. Circular gun pits at either end of the crest guarded the trail running across the ridge and leading down the slope. Manned by a company of troops, the Mt. Chachao fortification was formidable." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam

With artillery fire, American tanks, and hand grenades, the crest was taken. The 9th Marines made contact with the soldiers of the 77th Division on top of Mount Tenjo. After eight days of fighting, the two beachheads were firmly linked up.

The positions on the Mount Tenjo ridge were then held until the 31st of July while Orote Peninsula was secured and the American line was organized to swing east across the island. Concurrently, reconnaissance patrols were made of southern Guam by the 77th Infantry Division from 28 July to 2 August.

"Five patrols of about five men each, with native guides, would penetrate six miles each way south and east of Alifan into unknown territory." ... Guam Operations of the 77th Division

These patrols determined that there was no organized Japanese resistance in the south and that the Japanese had withdrawn to the north.

"Approaching Ylig the scouts met a small group of Chamorros, who greeted them joyfully and reported that many Japanese troops were to the north but that only small groups of 10 or 15 were still in the southern area." ... Guam Operations of the 77th Division

After the defeat at Fonte, Japanese General Takashina ordered a general retreat to established positions along a Dededo to Barrigada line. Upon the death of Takashina, General Obata assumed command of the remaining Japanese forces and continued to follow the defensive plan of Takashina.

source

cont'd in post below

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Liberating Guam *10

On July 30, General Geiger became aware of the Japanese withdrawal. He therefore issued plans to align American forces for the drive to the north. The 3rd Marine Division would drive up the western portion of the island while the 77th Infantry Division, under Maj. General Andrew D. Bruce, was designated to drive up eastern Guam. The 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was assigned to patrol southern Guam. Assisting in these efforts were the civilian scouts, the war dogs, and later the Guam Combat Patrol.

"The native guides who accompanied many of the Marine and Army patrols during the campaign proper and the mop-up period performed invaluable service in ferreting out Japanese troops and equipment." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam

For the first time in the Pacific, "devil dogs" were used as patrol messengers, guards, and for scouting out Japanese soldiers who hid out in Guam's caves and dense jungles.

Provisional War Dog Company Commander, Lt. William Taylor told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "No one can say how many lives they have saved. But we do know they have flushed a lot of snipers."

On 31 July, after two days of artillery fire preparation, the pivot move commenced with the 77th achieving Pago Bay by the end of the day after encountering only isolated and light enemy resistance.

CAMPS LIBERATED

During the same day, at Asinan, along the Pago River, the 307th Infantry liberated the concentration camp of 2,000 Chamorros and the next day the Americans liberated the larger concentration camp at Manengon.

"I was just climbing up a coconut tree when I hear this pssst, psst ... then I looked over the brush there was this big fellow, a white person, in camouflage uniform. ... He waved at me. So I just started walking over to him. ... Then I found that there was a whole bunch of them right behind him. I just couldn't appreciate anything more than that..."

"I thought it was really God-given, because our people are really suffering at that point and were running out of food and just about harvested everything that's edible in the jungle..." Rafael J.M. Reyes

"The first contact we had with the civilians came soon after we widened our perimeter to include the outskirts of the battered city of Agana.

"One day a radio message came back from one of our outposts: Twenty women, several babies, one cow, and a sewing machine coming through our lines." ... "More groups followed - old, gnarled men with sticks; crones with wispy white hair, lace dresses, and no shoes; young girls in mud-stained rags, carrying naked babies; little boys and girls holding onto each other's hands fearfully." ... "One woman had a tiny American flag that she had made on her sewing machine in a cave; it had seven red and white stripes and a field of blue, and was fashioned from a dress." ... Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., 3rd Marine Division

"The ex-captives were beside themselves with joy. Not knowing whether to kiss their liberators, bow to them, or shake hands with them, they tried to do all three at once. Many carried tiny American flags which they had hidden from the Japanese. ... The weary infantrymen were immensely moved by the joy of the natives as they passed back through the lines. Soldiers who had been complaining because their rations were low gave away what few cigarette they had. ... While watching the tiny children who carried huge baskets, and the women who trudged along with half their household possessions on their backs, the soldiers realized the meaning of liberation for these enslaved people." ... Guam Operations of the 77th Division

On 31 July, the Marines continued north. The 9th Marines, on the right, reached Ordot. The 21st Marines in the center took Sinajana. The 3d Marines, on the left, overran Agana which was not defended by the Japanese.

"So green in vegetation and so pretty a sight had Guam always been, now it was all burned. It had neither a tree, nor a coconut with leaves. All now was burned or destroyed by bullets and bombs. ... From our cave in Toguag which looked towards Agana, we saw the destruction of the town where we had our property." Don Pascual Artero

The next day, Aug. 1, the Marines continued to advance to the edge of the airfield at Tiyan with the 21st Marines reverting into reserve status.

Source

to be continued ... however, we are just about to wrap up Guam.

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Liberating Guam 7*

FIRST NIGHT IN AGAT

The goals of capturing Agat village, Gaan Point, and Bangi Point, and moving inland from 1,300 to 2,300 yards had been achieved in spite of Japanese resistance.

"The enemy had his defenses ashore, consisting of numerous pillboxes built in coral outcroppings, well organized. Concrete blockhouses, located on Gaan Point, held a 75mm and a 37mm gun which enfiladed the beaches . . . The emplacements did not show through the scattered clouds on aerial photographs available prior to the landing. The block houses formed large sand covered mounds, and many palm trees made detection difficult." Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam

"They were waiting for us ... and there's blood immediately with that kind of artillery. The half-inch armored plate sheathing our amphibious tractors was not much protection." "Only the first wave was allowed to fire," ... "After that there was too much danger of hitting your own men."

"On Yellow Beach 2 we lost 75 men in an area the size of a football field, most of them in the first 10 minutes, ... And for every dead man, there are always two to three wounded. Our company had the most casualties of any in our battalion. ... "We were at point blank range, no place to go except straight ahead." ... Raymond G. Schroeder, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade

That night the Japanese attempted counterattacks in Agat. Led, by tanks, the Japanese mounted serious attacks from the north, east and south. These attacks were ultimately repulsed.

"We had quite an eventful night, completely separated from all other friendly forces by several hundred yards of rice paddy. Our instructions were to dig in and hold Hill #40, and this we did in spite of the night long 'banzai's' . Credit for our success goes to our company commander then First Lt. Stormy Sexton (one of the Marine Corps legendary heroes) and to our veteran NCOs. It was quite a night!" ... Charles H. Meacham, 4th Marines

"The executive officer of Battery A, Pack Howitzer Battalion, 4th Marines described that night: "At 2330, I challenged two figures edging along the side of the crater, but they turned out to be communicators checking a wire line. ... 30 minutes later, I saw four figures creeping along the same line, but when I challenged them, they hit the ground and rolled away from the hole, muttering in Japanese.

The "Gunny" in the hole with me threw a grenade, killing one and the other three were picked off by the gun sections. After this, reports of crawling figures starting coming in from gun sections and outposts all around the battery. Simultaneously with these reports, fire missions started pouring in. By about 0130, we were up to our necks in fire missions and infiltrating Japanese. Every so often, I had to call a section out for a short time so it could take care of the intruders with carbines and then I would send it back into action again. Somehow, one Japanese nambu machine gunner managed to get between our guns and the front lines and all night harassed us with fire." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam

On 22 July, the Agat invasion force expanded its beachhead including the securing of the summit of Mount Alifan.

The night of the 22nd brought only isolated contacts with Japanese patrols. The following day, the 22nd Marines moved north to cut the neck of Orote Peninsula and encountered Japanese strong points that could not be taken.

However, the next day, a coordinated attack resulted in the neck of Orote Peninsula being secured and the Japanese there isolated. By this time, more units of the Army's 77th Infantry Division had been brought ashore and placed into the line on the south and east of the beachhead. Both the 4th and 22nd Marines consolidated into a line at the neck of Orote Peninsula.

Source

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Liberating Guam *8

BUNDSCHU RIDGE A STRUGGLE

In Asan from July 22 to 24, the 3rd Marines struggled to gain Bundschu Ridge on the east.

"This ridge was named on board ship for Capt. Geary R. Bundschu, Company A commander, whose unit was as signed the mission of taking this terrain feature. Ironically, it was the fighting on this ridge that took his life." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam

The Marines were pinned in a gully. Japanese mortar and machine gun fire hit the Marines as they attempted to gain a foothold of the ridge. After bitter and intense fighting, the Marines suffered 615 casualties before Bundschu Ridge was taken.

In the center the 21st Marines had achieved, also after rough fighting, the first ridgeline inland. On the west, the 9th Marines had moved southwest along the coast and taken Piti and Cabras Island by a minor amphibious assault.


OROTE PENINSULA CAPTURED

At the Agat beachhead, patrols from the 9th Marines moving south from Piti briefly contacted the 22nd Marines near Atantano. The 4th Marines in the west and the 22nd Marines on the east attacked Orote Peninsula on 26 July after fighting off determined Japanese soldiers the night before.


"Thousands of saki-crazed Japanese dashed from the mangroves in front of 3rd Battalion, 22nd Marines. Brandishing baseball bats, sticks, broken bottles, and pitch-forks, along with the normal complement of infantry weapons, the Japanese soldiers surged forward frantically, bent on an honorable death. The Marine commanders called in blocking fire to stop the advancing swarm. The area was saturated by 37mm guns, 81mm mortars, machine guns, rifles, and grenades. Between midnight and two in the morning, 26,000 shells blanketed the mangrove swamp area." ... Maj. O.R. Lodge, Recapture of Guam


"He was an extra-small Japanese soldier. His uniform hung limp like a scarecrow's trappings. A marine on Orote Peninsula asked him why he surrendered. 'My commanding officer told us to fight to the last man,' the prisoner answered. 'Well?' queried the marine. A look of wounded innocence spread over the Jap's face as he declared, 'I was the last man!'" ... MTSgt Murray Marder, Semper Fidelis


The 22nd Marines were then delayed in a mangrove swamp. However, by the 28th of July the 22nd Marines had reached the old Marine Barracks at Sumay. Joined by tanks of the Army's 706th Tank Battalion, the Marines finally secured all of Orote Peninsula by the end of 29 July.


In a ceremony, at the old Marine Barracks, for the first time in two and one-half years the American flag was officially raised in Guam. Gen. Shepherd's words followed a "color guard" salute: "On this hallowed ground, you officers and men of the First Marine Brigade have avenged the loss of four comrades who were overcome by a numerically superior enemy three days after Pearl Harbor. Under our flag this island again stands ready to fulfill its destiny as an American fortress in the Pacific."

BATTLE FOR FONTE PLATEAU

On 24 July, the Marines still faced the Japanese in the hills above Asan. While the 9th Marines had advanced rapidly beyond Piti, the 21st Marines in the center had not reached Mount Tenjo Road although the 3rd Marines to the east had seized a section of the road.

However, the Japanese had planned and executed a massive counterattack during the night of 25-26 July. On the west, seven attacks were launched by the 10th Independent Mixed Regiment against the 9th Marines resulting in 950 Japanese dead. In the center, the 18th Infantry Regiment attacked the 21st Marines and reached rear areas in hand-to-hand combat.

The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines were battered...The Japanese attacked with all they had, cause they knew unless they broke through, that the island, for all intents and purposes, would be lost, unless they could get down to our beach...and disrupt our supplies, our communications, possibly wreck our artillery, that they were done for...They got into our Division hospital, they got into our artillery..." ... Lt. John J. "Jack" Eddy, 9th Marine Regiment

In the book Liberation - 1944 by Don Farrell, a Japanese survivor recalled that night: "We had been thinking that the Japanese might win through a night counterattack ... but when the star shells came over one after the other we could only use our men as human bullets and there were many useless casualties and no chance of success."

On the east, the 48th Independent mixed Brigade hit the 3d Marines. By daylight the Japanese attack had been repulsed and any surviving Japanese were fleeing into the hills. The Japanese lost 3,500 during the night attacks. The 3rd Marine Division suffered 645 wounded, 166 killed and 34 missing.

"It was estimated that it was no longer possible to expel the American forces from the island after the results of the general counterattack on the night of 25 July were collected in the morning to about noon of the 26th. After this it was decided that the sole purpose of combat would be to inflict losses on the American forces in the interior of the island." ... Lt. Col. Takeda, Operations Officer Japanese 29th Division.

Though defeated in the counterattack, the Japanese still held the high ridge of Fonte, and it took three additional days for the 3d and 9th Marines to clear out the Japanese including a last group of Japanese in a depression on top of Fonte Plateau on 29 July.

Japanese General Takashina was killed by Marines as he attempted to evacuate his troops from Fonte on the 28th.

Source

to be continued...

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: #5 in Guam during WWII

As landing craft stream toward the Asan shore, other amphibious tractors have already reached the beach. At top of photo, on right, destroyers are maneuvering offshore to provide covering fire for the men of the 3rd Marine Division.

###

STALLED AT CHORITO CLIFF
To the east at Asan, Japanese troops emerged from their caves to take gun positions on Chorito (misnamed Chonito in 1944) Cliff. From their positions they fired down on the 3d Marines as they landed ashore. They waited and watched as American troops advanced on the steep, difficult terrain below Chorito.

"Nearly half my old company lies dead on the barren slopes of Chonito Cliff. Four times they tried to reach the top. Four times they were thrown back. They had to break out of a 20-yard beach head to make way for later landing waves. They attacked up a 60-degree slope, protected only by sword grass, and were met by a storm of grenades and heavy rifle, machine-gun and mortar fire.

"The physical act of forward motion required the use of both hands. As a consequence they were unable to return the enemy fire effectively. Most of the casualties were at the bottom of the slope. They had been hit as they left cover." . . . Sgt. Cyril O'Brien, 3rd Marine Division

source

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: #6 of Guam in WWII

Minesweepers clear the way to the Agat shoreline while smaller craft carry the first Marines to assault the beach. A burning minesweeper shows that the battle has already begun in this aerial view of the beachhead.

Marines from the 3rd Marine Division churn toward the Asan shore on invasion day. These Marines, possibly from the 3rd Regiment, were given the task of rushing inland to capture cliffs and high ground, and prepare for further action to the east and southeast. A Marine takes cover upon hitting the beach; in foreground are what appears to be the legs of a comrade, perhaps wounded. Note the proximity to the shoreline of the destroyer in background (left). In Agat, Marine Captains Paul O'Neal and Milton Thompson plant the Stars and Stripes just eight minutes after U.S. forces land and attack the beachhead (right).

In Asan, Chorito Cliff and the beach below are engulfed in smoke from artillery, bombs, mortars; Marines rushing ashore at Red Beach 1, about center of photo, are met with intense fire from the hills and the cliff above.

###

After intense fighting, the guns on Chorito Cliff were finally silenced by a destroyer and American tanks. And by the night of the first day in Asan, the beach was secured.

"Casualties here in one day exceeded the entire division casualties at Bougainville." . . The 3rd Marine Division

During the first night at Asan, the Marines encountered only light shelling and occasional patrols by the Japanese.

to be continued...

Source

Virgie Bell's Hero: Snippets of Thought and Word

Lonnie D. McCurry

I don't know where you are going with all this info but I am glad to give you anything I can. I was not a hero. I have a bunch of campaign medals for operations in Pacific etc. Aaron was the hero in our Marines. I received Purple Heart during landing on Guam, Our recon party landed in the second wave. We were receiving fire from a cave on our flank. We called a flame thrower tank to take out the gun in the cave. It came by immediately in front of and ran over a land mine. I was barely hit but received a Purple Heart for the wound. [in a personal email to me several months ago.]

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What really impressed me was that Uncle Lonnie, serving in a command position in the Philippines, had a part in "An American Gorilla in the Philippines." It might as well have been the lead as far as I was concerned. [posted by VB this past December]

So let me tell you something about the strongest Marine I ever knew who lived to tell of it. That is my Uncle Lonnie. He survived three of the toughest battles in the South Pacific during World War 2. He was the highest ranking officer on the Philippines. He was wounded and received a Purple Heart. He served my country for twenty years in the military. He is in the Texas Tech Football Hall of Fame. Much a guy thing and much a macho thing. Makes little nieces such as De'on and myself very proud. Gives us bragging rights.

When I kept a vigil by my Grandmother’s death bed, as I promised her I would, one night Uncle Lonnie decided to stay with me. I got to visit with him and of course, I got to ask him questions that I would never have a chance otherwise. You could tell the difference in us, military and non-military. He carried himself erect and never lost his officer’s bearing ...whereas I dithered around all over the place. I remember two things we talked about. I asked him if it was right in God’s eyes to kill someone in battle. He thought about it a minute and realized that I asked because I wanted to know. He told me after the pause that yes; the Bible would back that up. I had heard that my Aunt Arlene, his wife of many years had never worn pants. This was unheard of by me. When I asked him if it was so you could hear the pride in his voice as he answered me she has never had a pair of pants on in her life. He was proud of this very, very girl thing. The feminine side of her. She was a lady... his lady. How great. [posted by VB early this month]
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Thank you for your service Uncle Lonnie. Like so many who serve, you are a humble man. I know that you know so much more about Guam than I could ever copy. But I thank you for proudly serving for twenty years and especially for serving two years overseas during WWII without ever once coming home!

Semper Fi,

De'on

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Liberating Guam WWII cont'd *3

Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly was in command of the Southern attack force for Guam's recapture. The assault troops, III Amphibious Corps, were under the command of Maj. General Roy S. Geiger, USMC. The III Amphibious Corps was composed of the Third Marine Division commanded by Maj. General Allen H. Turnage, USMC, to land at Asan and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade under the command of Brig. General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., USMC, to land at Agat.

The opposing Japanese on Guam were under the command of Lt. General Takashina Takeshi, Imperial Japanese Army (UA), commanding the 29th Infantry Division and Southern Marianas Army Group. His superior, General Obata Hideyoshi, UA, commander of the 31st Army, was present on Guam - his headquarters was in Saipan but was unable to travel to that island for its defense - but he did not exercise local command until the death of Takashina. Thus, the United States returned to liberate Guam, to liberate the Chamorros. W-Day was scheduled for July 21, 1944. But before that date, for 13 consecutive days, the skies thundered with naval and air bombardment. Targeted were the villages of Agana, Asan, Agat, and Sumay, along with Orote Peninsula.

"That evening, we ran away from the camp because the Americans started shooting at the island from ships. During the day, the incendiary bombs were constantly fired and at night, the cannon from the ships. The incendiary bombs were dropped from airplanes... Agana was completely destroyed... Engracio Damian

In preparation of the American landings, on July 14, for three days and two nights, and under the cover of naval gun fire, Navy underwater demolition teams conducted reconnaissance of the invasion beaches and removed over 900 obstacles from Guam's reefs. These frogmen proved to be effective.


Admiral Conolly stated that "positively, landings could not have been made on either Agat or Asan beaches nor any other suitable beaches without these elaborate but successfully prosecuted clearance operations."

During the night of July 20, the invasion fleet reached their assigned positions off Guam's western shore.

"The weather conditions on Guam on the morning of 21 July 1944 should have been perfect. According to the record, there was a clear, tropical, sunny sky without any clouds. However, no one should have enjoyed such a beautiful bright day. The island of Guam which soldiers saw on the 21st was entirely covered by cannon smoke. The sky, ocean and mountains were smoke covered. The U.S. landing had begun." ... Masao Hiratsuka, Guam Fighting

"With the first gray of dawn and the sun showing its figure on the horizon, the ocean scene shook the Japanese defenders. In addition to large enemy battleships, over one hundred war vessels and over two hundred transport ships covered the early morning seaface." ... Masao Hiratsuka, Guam Fighting

On July 21, 1944, beginning at 0530, for three hours the beaches off Asan and Agat were shelled and bombed.

"The Americans that we had been longing to come, came and dropped their bombs . . . Every time the bombs dropped, my brother and I would go into a shallow hole up a dokdok tree." . . . Francisco K. Acfalle

Off the reefs, to the horizon, American battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and landing craft, along with over 50,000 U.S. troops, prepared to retake Guam. At 0819, in Asan, the Marines, loaded into their amphibious Landing Vehicles, Tracked (LVT) for the assault, reached the line of departure. The first waves of LVTs hit the beach at 0829 in Asan and at 0832 in Agat.

"The traces of crafts' wakes were really beautiful, Like floating threads of a loom. ... Then I realized the enemy would soon be invading the beach..." 2nd Lt. Yasuhiro Yamashita, Third Battalion of the 18th Regiment

Source

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: WWII Liberating Guam cont'd *4

Explosions on the coast spout water and toss debris high in the air in this photo taken from the battleship New Mexico.



THE NORTHERN BEACHHEAD

At Asan, the 3rd Marine Division landed between Asan Point on the west and Adelup Point on the east. Nearly 2,500 yards of beach rested between these two points, known as the "devil's horns." From the west to the east, the 9th Marine Regiment landed on Blue Beach, the 21st Marine Regiment on Green Beach, and the 3d Marine Regiment on Red Beaches 1 and 2. The Marine division's goal was to capture the rugged cliffs and high grounds inland.

The Japanese 320th Independent Infantry Battalion, along with Naval personnel hid in complex caves and bunkers, ready to man coastal defense guns as the Americans landed on the shores below.

THE SOUTHERN BEACHHEAD

At Agat, the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed between Bangi Point to the south and the village of Agat to the north. The 4th Marines landed to the south on White Beaches 1 and 2 to establish the beachhead and protect the right flank. The 22nd Marines to the north landed in Yellow Beaches 1 and 2 to occupy Agat and drive north to seal off Orote Peninsula. The 305th Regimental Combat Team of the Army's 77th Infantry Division would later land to protect the southern sector of the beachhead.

As wave after wave of LVTs crossed the reef, the Japanese 38th Infantry Regiment fired heavy mortar and artillery shells on the approaching Marines.

Source

to be continued in future posts

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Liberating Guam in WWII *1

By DAVE LOTZ and ROSE S.N. MANIBUSAN

By early 1944, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was preparing for Operation Forager — the capture, occupation, and defense of the Mariana Islands. Targeted were the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. The United States Pacific forces under Nimitz's command commenced the broad Pacific sweep of island-hopping that would by mid-summer 1944 result in the Liberation of Guam.

American naval forces were hard at work as the war moved west. America and Japan both considered the Mariana Islands important because of their strategic location. From Guam, airstrips would be built, where B-29s could make bombing runs to Japan. Apra Harbor, because of its deep water port, would serve as an excellent fleet anchorage in the Western Pacific. Outside the continental United States, Guam would become one of the largest naval bases in the Pacific. As a former U. S. possession, America had a moral obligation to liberate the Chamorro people.

American fast carriers attacked the Marianas Islands on Feb. 23, 1944. At the same time, American submarines concentrated on sinking Japanese ships. Both tactical elements would thus disrupt reinforcement of the islands. Ultimately the submarines sank at least 30 enemy ships at the cost of two submarines and prevented troops and equipment from reaching Guam and the other Marianas Islands.

"Times were getting worse because the Americans had already bombed Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. That was what the Japanese told me in Yona, the one that knew English ..." Francisco Kelly Acfalle

Unaware of the Japanese defense situation, the Americans' next step was the reconnaissance of the islands. In April 1944, for 27 days the submarine USS Greenling photographed possible invasion beaches. Shortly thereafter, the Navy and Army Air Force B-24s took daring low level photos up until June.

By the end of May the invasion forces had assembled at Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal to commence their long voyages to the Marianas. The invasion fleet for Guam sailed initially to Kwajalein and then sorted on June 9-12 only to return later to Eniwetok.

Copied from source

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Guam in WWII continues *2

The invasion of Saipan began on June 15, 1944, following massive shore bombardment. For the Americans, Saipan was the most costly Pacific battle to that time. Saipan was not secured until July 9, due to heavy determined Japanese resistance including desperate battles and banzai charges in such places as Death Valley and Tanapag. The cost for Saipan was high. American losses totalled almost 3,100 dead, about 11,000 wounded, and 128 missing. More than 24,000 Japanese defenders died and 300 civilians.

The date for the invasion of Guam was postponed from June 16 due to stiff Japanese resistance on Saipan and the approach of a Japanese fleet attempting to reach Saipan to help its defenders.

"The ships (U.S. troop transports) steamed in aimless circles, while tropical sun beat upon them, the quality of food deteriorated and the swindling cigarette supply had to be rationed meagerly. No one who has never traveled to combat aboard an overcrowded assault transport in the tropics can comprehend what those men went through during the forty-eight to fifty-two days the various elements were at sea.". . . The Island War, by Frank O. Hough

On July 15, the invasion fleet finally left Eniwetok for Guam.

The American fleet's presence around the Mariana Islands brought a response from the Japanese navy to prevent another loss to the Empire. Approaching from the west, the Japanese aircraft earners launched massive raids to attack the American aircraft earners on June 19, 1944. When the greatest carrier air battle of the war ended, known as the "Marianas Turkey Shoot," the Japanese lost nearly 400 aircraft. Following its defeat, the Japanese fleet retreated. Plans to re-inforce the Marianas were no longer possible.

For the invasion of the Mariana Islands, command of the United States Fifth Fleet was vested in Admiral Raymond A. Spruance with Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner in command of the Joint Expeditionary Force. Lt. General Holland M. Smith, United States Marine Corps (USMC) was in tactical command of all troops ashore in the Mariana Islands.

to be cont'd.

copied from War in the Pacific

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Guam; 3rd Marine Division

3RD MARINE DIVISION (Reinforced)

9th Combat Team

9th Marines
1st Battalion (less Companies B and C), 19th Marines (Engineers)
Company D, 19th Marines (Pioneers)
Company G. 25th Naval Construction Battalion (plus detachment, Headquarters Company)
3d lank Battalion (less Companies B and C)
Reconnaissance Company (less 2 platoons), 3d Headquarters Battalion
1st Messenger Dog Section (less 1 squad),
2d War Dog Platoon
1st Scout Dog Section (less 1 squad), 3d War Dog Platoon
Company A, 3d Motor Transport Battalion
Company A, 3d Medical Battalion
1st Band Section
Detachment, 3d Joint Assault Signal Company

21st Combat Team

21st Marines
Company B, 19th Marines (Engineers)
2d Battalion (less Companies D and F), 19th Marines (Pioneers)
Company H, 25th Naval Construction Battalion (plus detachment, Headquarters Company)
1st and 2d Platoons, Company B 3d Tank Battalion
2d Platoon, Reconnaissance Company, 3d Headquarters Battalion
2d Messenger Dog Section (less 1 squad), 2d War Dog Platoon
2d Scout Dog Section (less 1 squad), 3d War Dog Platoon
Company B, 3d Motor Transport Battalion
Company B, 3d Medical Battalion
2d Band Section
Detachment, 3d Joint Assault Signal Company

3d Combat Team

3d Marines
Company C, 19th Marines (Engineers)
Company F, 19th Marines (Pioneers)
25th Naval Construction Battalion (less Companies G and H and 2 detachments, Headquarters Company)
Company C, 3d Tank Battalion
3d Messenger Dog Section (less 1 squad), 2d War Dog Platoon
3d Scout Dog Section (less 1 squad), 3d War Dog Platoon
Company C, 3d Motor Transport Battalion
Company C, 3d Medical Battalion
3d Band Section
Detachment, 3d Joint Assault Signal Company

12th Marines (Reinforced)

12th Marines
14th Defense Battalion (less 155mm Seacoast Artillery group, 2 90mm batteries, 1 search light platoon and detachments, Headquarters and Service Battery)
Artillery Liaison Group, III Amphibious Corps

1st Armored Amphibian Battalion (less Companies A and B)
3d Amphibian Tractor Battalion (Reinforced)
Motor Transport Battalion (less Company C), III Amphibious Corps (DUKW'S)
Reserve Group

3d Headquarters Battalion (less 3 band Sections and 3d Reconnaissance Company less 4th Platoon)
Company B (less 2 platoons), 3d Tank battalion
2d War Dog Platoon (less 6 squads)
3d War Dog Platoon (less 6 squads)
3d Joint Assault Signal Company (less detachments)
Detachment, Signal Battalion, III Amphibious Corps

Engineer Group

19th Marines (less 1st and 2d Battalions)
2d Separate Engineer Battalion
Company B, 2d Special Naval Construction Battalion
Garrison Beach Party

Service Group

3d Service Battalion (less detachments)
3d Medical Battalion (less Companies A, B, C)
3d Motor Transport Battalion (less Companies A, B, C)
Detachment, Service Group, 5th Field Depot
2d Marine Ammunition Company (less 4th Platoon)

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Retro

Lonnie D. "Primo" McCurry

I snagged this from December 5, 2006. That's how long it's been since we were with Uncle Lonnie in the Pacific. Guadalcanal was extensive plus I've fit so many other things in. But we're back to his unit and we'll take this opportunity to re-introduce the 12th Marines in WWII.

Uncle Lonnie and his unit's battles will continue with more in-depth coverage in "Blood Is Thicker Than Water." The next series will cover Guam.

He was born as the second of four children to my MaMa and PaPa Curry (the names I called my great-grandparents on my mother’s side) on March 7, 1919 in Claypool, Oklahoma as Lonnie Dean McCurry (and the only one of the four not born in Texas). While in high school, Lonnie was nicknamed “Primo” after an Italian Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Primo Carnera. Lubbock High counted my uncle as a valuable athlete and boxer.

Primo (a name that has stuck with him throughout his life) enlisted as a PFC in the United States Marine Corps through the Reserve Officers Corps while in his senior year at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. He was called to active duty after graduation in May 1941.

McCurry began his training in Quantico, Virginia and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1941. His training was cut short due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and after two months training at “Arty” school, 2LT McCurry transferred to the West Coast to join 2nd Marine Division before it was split to form 3rd Marine Division.

The LT, who was now a part of 3rd Marine Division, was then sent to New Zealand for further training before his first combat action in Bougainville. The 2nd Marine Division had been sent to Guadalcanal.

2LT McCurry served as Battery Commander for a 105MM Howitzer battery with Mike Battery, 4th Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima. He received the Purple Heart in Guam for his injuries sustained on 21 July 1944 after receiving mine fragments to his left arm. Other decorations include the Navy Unit Commendation with 1 star, the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Victory Medal WWII, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Service Medal with 2 stars, and the United Defense Service Medal.

McCurry retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on 30 June 1961. He was selected for Texas Tech’s Football Hall of Honor in 2000. His selection for this honor is noted:

Lonnie "Primo" McCurry (2000)
Hometown: Lubbock
Football - 1938-40
*Little All-American in 1940 as guard
*Helped 1938 team to 10-1 mark and Cotton Bowl appearance
*Captained Pete Cawthon's final team to 9-1-1 record
*Drafted by Brooklyn, but entered military service instead
*Awarded Purple Heart for service during invasion of Guam during World War II
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I think I've mentioned before that Aaron and Uncle Lonnie met only one time in their lives, at Aaron's Homecoming Party given in celebration of my son's return from OIF 1, which was held in Lubbock, Texas on August 2, 2003.

It will always amaze me the tight bond that was experienced by all of us with three Marines from three different generations in our large family's midst, and I will never be able to keep myself from grinning when I think of Uncle Lonnie's words to Aaron as Aaron struggled for an answer to give the reporter from ABC News when she asked my son, the leader of a 240 M Machine gun team,"And what was your job while you were in Iraq?"

As Aaron looked around for magical politically correct words with which to answer the reporter, our very distinguished Uncle Lonnie offered out, "You killed people. Isn't that what you did?"

Even the reporter had to grin. And of course, the video was well edited before the ten o'clock news that night!