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).
Monday, March 26, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, March 23, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Navy Commendation
Thursday, February 22, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, February 19, 2007
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
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
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