Posted on 08/27/2017 5:26:45 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Edited on 08/27/2017 5:50:04 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
KOROR (AFP)
(Excerpt) Read more at mvariety.com ...
Interesting
Palau is a bit of a strange case as a nation. They have a zip code and mail to and from Palau is charged at the domestic rate. Of course a lot of American blood was shed there during WWII. Wikipedia says they are an independent nations “in association with the U.S., which provides for defense, so I guess if we want to install radar stations there, we can.
It’s a long way from North Korea but it looks like you’d get a good view on anything incoming to Guam.
IIRC my late father was in the Battle of Peleliu.
Under Chesty Puller’s command?
He knew General Puller in some way I believe. The Marine Corps isn’t that big. It was smaller than the NYPD at the outbreak of the war.
If you haven’t already, read With the Old Breed by E.B. Sledge.
Need to reread my book. There’s a photo in there of Puller, maybe as a colonel, talking to some superior. Had his shirt off. Everybody got dirty in that fight.
My father joined in 1943 when he was 18, so he wasn’t really an Old Breed Marine. He was a China Marine, though, due to occupying Tsing Tao.
The South Pacific is a hot and humid place.
The author, who became a professor, wasn’t an Old Breed either, but he describes in minute detail what Pelieu was like. If you haven’t read it, you’ll gain an insight on things your dad likely never told you about.
Jumping in...
I happen to be reading it now by coincidence.
With an elevation of 328 feet, it doesn't look like there is anyplace on Koror Island high enough for a really effective radar installation. From Google Maps it appears that the old airstrip on Peleliu is no longer serviceable but could be refurbished. Might be a good place to base a couple of P8's. Just on a TDY basis of course...
Yup I seem to recall a story where the Japs were getting too close to the artillery and the three man crews had to hump 900 pound guns up to the top of their sea-wall cover to get hits. Probably not any trannies there.
Palau is north of the equator but maybe I’m not getting some old joke.
The Pacific Campaigns and Battles available for free at Project Gutenberg are very worthwhile as well. I read them all on my tablet.
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/World_War_II_(Bookshelf)
Across The Reef: The Marine Assault of Tarawa by Joseph H. Alexander
Breaching the Marianas: The Battle for Saipan by John C. Chapin
Breaking the Outer Ring: Marine Landings in the Marshall Islands by John C. Chapin
Top of the Ladder: Marine Operations in the Northern Solomons by John C. Chapin
A Magnificent Fight: Marines in the Battle for Wake Island by Robert Cressman
From Makin to Bougainville: Marine Raiders in the Pacific War by Jon T. Hoffman
First Offensive: The Marine Campaign for Guadalcanal by Henry I. Shaw
These are short folio histories commissioned by the USMC. You can learn more about them here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/48836/48836-h/48836-h.htm#About_the_Series
Reading any detailed history of the Marines in WWII will tend to make you believe women have no place in combat arms.
Mine was in Peking in 1945.
I served on the USS Peleliu from ‘93-’97.
We did a drive-by (21-gun salute) in ‘94 after we left Australia.
Stepping Stones Across The Pacific: A Collection Of Short Stories From The Pacific War by Tibor Torok
ISBN-10: 1456373668
I knew him, he was in my father’s squadron in beautiful Beaufort, I used to play with his kid...
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.