Recap of Iwo Jima, D-2 for Victor Taraborelli - Bronze Star

February 17, 1945, D-2 was designated the day for the UDT teams to "open" the beaches of Iwo Jima. The morning operation would be the east beaches followed by the afternoon reconnaissance of the west beaches.

On the morning of the 17thm Team 13 was assigned Green Beach #1 which was the southern section of the east beaches. Team 13 was to swim in under the near shadow of Mt. Suribachi which towered to the swimmers immediate left. It appeared to be the most dangerous beach of the entire east side.

The fire support for the UDT swimmers was awesome. Battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, were positioned to rain a withering fire upon the eastern slope of the small island. In close were 12 LCIG gunboats which would pour a continuous flow of rocket fire on the enemy gun positions.

Team 13 sent two LCPRs from the Barr. One with the swimmers onboard and the other as a standby crew to be used only if needed. The LCPRs moved inside the line of the LCIG gunboats and started to receive fire from shore. With the throttles wide open they turned and moved parallel to the beach dropping the swimmers one by one, Mortar fire and machine gun fire rained down all over and around all the reconnaissance boats until they moved out of range beyond the line of LCIGs.

Excerpts from "The Chronicles of Underwater Demolition Team 13" by Marvin Cooper

Kamikaze Suicide Japanese Attack Planes

Morning of March 26, 1945

Went to general quarters as usual (o530) but had action this time. Jap suicide planes came in but missed. One missed the Gilmore by about 100 feet. Close! The planes work in pairs. One flies in low and draws the fire, then the suicide plane dives straight out of the clouds. The Army went in on "yellow beach" this morning. Thing's have quieted down out here but the fighting's hard in there. Tomorrow they hit our island (Tokashiki Shima).

My Recon of Orange Beach

March 25, 1945

This morning I went in and it was almost a picnic. Not a shot fired at us. Couldn't have been easier. Ward got cramps in his legs and Johnny and I got him, Good thing too. His buddy was about 200 yards away. The air support was better than Iwo. They were above all the time we were in there. Had swimmer's grease on but still got pretty cold. Nice sandy bottom with a few finger's of reef jutting out from the beach. Darn good place to land.

I think a 5'er fell short and hit the peak at the entrance to our cove and sprayed us with shrapnel. Caught a piece before it hit bottom. Good souvenir. Don't know why but I was more scared here than at Iwo before I left the "PR". Imagination I guess.

Came out and took two shell-shocked boys from one of our gunboats over to our "DD" (supporting). We had two LCIG's and a "Can" for support and they did a damn good job. It's really good too know that they're right in there with you.

Listened to Radio Tokyo all afternoon and got a few laughs. Heard that Congress has passed a bill to sterilize all the Japanese internees in the States and all American undesirables. They also said that three "BB's"were sunk and a couple of "CV's". Time to hit the sack.

We Set Sail for Rui-Kiu Islands

March 23, 1945

Set sail two days ago for the Riu-Kiu islands. This operation's going to be the worst yet. I go in Sunday morning on "orange beach" on Tokashiki Shima. Have to swim into a cove. It will be murder if the water's calm. My beach again is supposed to be the toughest.

Navy Commendation

February 25, 1945

Nothing but do a little screening for the past few days. Still fighting like hell on the island. Got a commendation from the Sec. of the Navy today. Really getting up in the world.


Photo: Estate of Victor Taraborelli

I Touch the Beach of Iwo Jima Today

February 22, 1945

Didn't get ashore yesterday. Got screwed with mess cooking. Fellas brought back all sorts of souvenirs. Jap cigarettes, post cards and a lot of other stuff.

I got ashore myself today and I've seen all I want to. There has been no time to bury the dead and the smell is terrible. Can't seem to get the smell out of my clothes. I picked up a carbine and a bayonet, Acquired a Jap "weed" too. Had a mortar attack while we were on the beach and "shagged as" down the beach. Laided beside an LVT, saw a dead Marine laying about 20' away, while a body floated past in the surf. Poor bastards. Not particularly anxious to get back to that island.


Photo: Estate of Victor Taraborelli

More Air Alerts

February 20, 1945

Had another air alert last night. Nothing happened. Got a commendation from the Admiral.

"C.T.F. five one sends x...the meritorious conduct and intrepedity of the Uncle Dog Taras in the accomplishment of their tasks can be described only in the highest terms. The information provided by their reconnaissance has been of greatest assistance and contributed greatly to the success of the landings. Well done."

All felt pretty good after hearing that. Left the ship for the beach today but instead just layed around for 9 hours. Did nothing but get cold, tired and hungry, Along with a grandstand view of the war. Marines started their final drive on Mt. Suribachi. Still taking a beating though. Two miles offshore we don't know there's a war on except for the smoke.

D-Day Marine Landing on Iwo Jima

February 19, 1945

Awoke this morning to find ships all over the place. A pretty sight. Don't feel so alone now. Marines hit the island at 0900 and they have been taking a beating all day. No work for us.

Planes came over last night and hit 15's ship and a couple of others. Plane passed at about 200 yards. Supposed to go in tomorrow. Think it's all a load of "bullshit".


Photo: Estate of Victor Taraborelli

The Iwo Jima Shelling Continues

February 18, 1945

Shelling continued all day today. They are taking a helluva beating in there. Had nothing to do so we had a pretty soft day, Fellas went back to the rock today 'cause the light went out. Fired 50's at the beach and got some return fire. Wasn't bad at all.

Tokyo's broadcasts are funny as hell. They reported 3 landings repulsed already. The first day on the rock and our Iwo recons. Announcer was good too. Spoke with an "Oxford" accent. Comical as hell. Tomorrow is "D" day. We have nothing to do so we'll just lay off the island and watch things happen.

I'm Swimming Towards Iwo Jima Today

February 17, 1945

This is the day for me. I'll dive out out of the boat at about 1110. I'll be enjoying a swim while the rest are all shooting like hell.

Night of February 17, 1945

Didn't enjoy that swim after all. Our gun boat was sunk before I left the boat. D.D. finished the support job. Shells were flying in every direction and truthfully, I was scared "shitless". At first I thought it was falling schrapnel falling around me, but it turned out to be a sniper.

Got about 30 yards from shore and couldn't get no closer. Things got too hot for me! Bullets and shells falling all over the place. Some of those 5'ers landed right in front of me. Snipers kept shooting until I was about 300 yards out.

The boat picked me up about 600 or 700 yards from shore and boy, did those plywood bulkheads seem good.

--- Gunboats - rockets by the 100's
--- Planes - rockets and bombs
--- Ships fire (power)
--- Fellas on rock yesterday - damn lucky

Don't believe there's going to be any demolition so maybe I'll sleep tonight. Nothing left to do but wait for the Marines to arrive. Should be rugged.

I Can See Iwo Jima Island

February 16, 1945

The island's in sight on the horizon. Everyone's jumpy as hell. Guess the airfields have been bombed to hell. No planes in sight except our own. There's supposed to be about 15,000 Jap's on the island, but we've got over three times that many.


Photo: Estate of Victor Taraborelli

The Waiting Game

February 15, 1945

Slept none too good last night. Seemed too hot for me. Walked around the deck until about one this morning. I'm feeling kind of uneasy. Same kind of feeling I used to get just before a ball game. All fluttery inside. Not afraid though.

Set Sail For Iwo Jima

February 14, 1945

Set sail for Iwo Jima. Can't say that I feel too good. Must be the salt air. Seems that every five minutes we get briefed on our operation. My buddy and I have the toughest section of the beach to cover. At least it has the most guns. Big ones too!

Beach Report - Iwo Jima

(Instructional recon text given to U.S. Navy frogmen to gather beach intelligence)

1. Man made obstacles; give types, location (grid coordinates), number of rows, interval between rows and spacing. A. anti-boat obstacles including fuel drums. B. anti-tank and personal obstacles.

2. Mines - same information as to obstacles including aircraft bombs.

3. Natural obstacles to landing craft. Location and extent.

4. Estimate of time and ability to remove obstacles.

5. Offshore beach conditions: A. Material and condition of bottom from 3 fathom line to high water mark, with attention to area near reef line. B. Location of one fathom line plotted on chart. C. Beach gradient. Right flank, left and center. Distance from reef line at 3, 2, 1 and 1/2 fathom depth.

6. Onshore beach conditions: A. Condition of beach on, or near reef line. Include terraces near water, giving height and distance inland. B. Material of beach. What type vehicle will it support. C. Beach gradient inland, including terraces and exits for vehicles.

7. Location of enemy fortifications and strong points, including beached or partially sunk vessels.

8. Estimated velocity of current.

9. Surf conditions: A.Distance of outermost breakers from reef line, depth of water in feet. B. Number of lines of breakers. C. Number of breakers per minute. D. Average height of breakers in feet. E. If waves come in cycles, get height and number of waves in cycle.

10. All information in areas where gas bubbles are sighted in water.

11. Estimate on localities suitable for placing pontoon causeways.

12. Plot graphs.

13. Other information.

14. Check cable or pipe line at our end of beach,

15. Do terraces continue into water.

16. Guns on volcano?

17. Effect of naval gunfire on terraces and beach.

18. Can LVT's be driven on terraces and beach.

19. Can weapons in volcano fire on beach.


Underwater Demolition Team 13

Photo: Estate of Victor Taraborelli