| Description | Businessman. His experiences at Guadalcanal and Tarawa in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Prewar work experience with the United Fruit Company in Honduras; decision to join the Marine Corps Reserve, 1939, and assignment to a machine gun company in the 15th Battalion; call to active duty, October, 1940, and assignment to H Company at San Diego; his work as H Company armorer; posting to American Samoa, 1942; living conditions on Samoa; his promotion from the enlisted ranks to second lieutenant and assignment to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines; Guadalcanal Campaign, 1942-43; living conditions on Guadalcanal; personal attitudes toward the Japanese; rest and recuperation in New Zealand; forming of the 2nd Marine Division in New Zealand, 1943; his transfer to F Company, 8th Marines; his comments about and personal relationship with then Major Henry P. ("Jim") Crowe, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines; the Tarawa Campaign, 1943; the assault on Tarawa at "Red Beach 2"; his battle wound and evacuation. |
