Tarawa Remembered

NRO ^ | Nov 20, 2003 | W. Thomas Smith Jr.

[neverdem]

FWIW, it's time to get real.

[camle]

Tarawa (bettio) was nasty. the shore bombardment had little effect, and the enemy could fight from their strongholds against our troops out in the open on the beach.

horrific battle. makes one wonder why the brass thought it was necessary when they could have isolated it like they did Truk, and leapfrog.

[coder2]

My father was wounded at Tarawa. I never heard him speak of it, but my mom told me once that after my dad returned home, he would have horrible nightmares and screamed in his sleep.

God bless the brave men, then and now, who give their lives for their country.

[Perseverando]

Semper Fi!

Bump!

[camle]

tell yer dad that SOME of us remain grateful and appreciate the hardship he and his peers went thru for our sakes.

[coder2]

My father passed on in 1999, my mother, just a few months ago.

Both of them served their country during WWII. My father as a marine in the south pacific, my mother as an army nurse in England. They had just been married a few months, when they were separated for 3 years.

They both are my heros.

[stumpy]

Tarawa, (Betio) was the first time the media showed the bodies of dead American troops, moving in the tide. During Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego in 1965 I was shown some color combat footage. That beautiful but deadly lagoon was colored pink from the blood of the Marines, Sailors, and Coast Guardsmen who went to that beach.

[Semper Paratus]

My wife's Grandfather was a Transport Commander for the Tarawa landing and had to rely on outdated and very sketchy survey information concerning the reef topography, tides etc. in planning the landings. If they had more accurate info the results would have been very different.

[Guillermo]

The shore bombardment had little effect on any of the Pacific battles.

[camle]

and deservedly so. I admire all WW-II vets. my mind boggles when i consider what they endured only to come back and have the next generation kick them in the teeth.

[camle]

true, but the japanese changed their tactics - allow the troops ashore, then try to throw them off. I can't tell you which was worse, but at least the guys were dryer when the bullets came. the fiercer fighting occurred further inland.

[Guillermo]

Yes, that is true.

Once they changed their tactics, it actually became bloodier for the US.

But, American troops were fiercer than Jap troops, that's why we won.

[coder2]

I know ----- and I remember arguing with my dad during my "liberal days" ---- days I'm ashamed of now

But there is hope, my 15-yr-old son is a better person than I was at his age and he loves his country more and more each day. He would make his grandparents very proud.

[RonHolzwarth]

re: " I admire all WW-II vets. my mind boggles when I consider what they endured only to come back and have the next generation kick them in the teeth."

That is a very good point, but I can't help but think of the guys that came home from Vietnam and got kicked in the teeth right away!

AT LEAST, there were PARADES for the WW 2 vets -

If you are going to be in a war,
just hope that it is a popular one at home!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

They truly are the Greatest Generation.

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt

[basil]

ping!

[jmaroneps37]

Semper Fi to all of my brother Marines in heaven. Because of you we train differently and many of us have been saved.

[Rocky Mountain High]

"I know ----- and I remember arguing with my dad during my "liberal days" ---- days I'm ashamed of now"



That took guts to admit.

[Historicus]

Any one interested in the Pacific theater, do yourself a favor and read 'Goodbye Darkness' by William Manchester. Manchester is a major league lefty but the book is very good.