_in_Puget_Sound,_10_September_1945_(color).jpg)
Posted on 10/26/2015 4:57:02 AM PDT by DuncanWaring
Semper Fi!
In fact, it turned out to be a fortunate thing for the Marines. Soon after landing, Japanese naval forces descended on the Americans and won a victory over the US Navy, sinking several of our ships, to the point that we started calling Sealark Channel Ironbottom Sound, for all the ships sunk.
The US Navy then left, taking all their remaining ships, including the supply ships with the preponderance of the Marines food stores.
The airfield the Marines took from the Japs was stocked with rice and canned fish, and the Marines lived on it for some time until the US Navy could battle their way back.
I always enjoy re-reading this. Just got done watching ‘The Pacific’ Guadalcanal episode for the fifth time...John Basilone was a Marine’s Marine. Thanks for posting. I spent a good part of the morning Sunday reading all of the posts about the anniversary of the battle of Leyte Gulf...our Navy brothers did themselves proud, especially those on the USS Johnston.
Semper Fi.
My wife’s grandfather was on the Walke. He gave his life.
Bump
OOORah, Dawg brother....
Been to Wake Island a couple of times.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wake_Island
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMA-211
Thanks for correcting the record. Well done..
The plane I was on stopped at Wake Island when I was on my way to Saigon. Only time I've been on Wake, and only for a few hours. Still, I remember as a child reading the daily accounts of the ultimately unsuccessful defense of Wake Island.
Wouldn’t be prudent to piss them off.
Paige’s story is so incredible, you have to read it a few times, slowly, to really grasp what he did. Look up Google images, you can see the ridge where it happened.
Mind boggling.
Also read up on the USS San Francisco in The Slot, in the days before The City was known for communist losers. Courage that huge brings tears to God.
What ship is that? The first thought that comes to mind is hearing loss.........LOL!
USS Washington BB-56. Pic says 1945.
USS Washington, the battle ship in the story.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1008503/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2370432/posts
It is, IMHO, the finest series he wrote and I wish he would come out with another few books. At least finish up Korea.
As I noted, it merits a periodic REpost.
I believe I’ve once even posted it myself a few years ago.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.