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GARBO, William, Sr. (b. 1924)

Oral Histories

OH 1566

Landscape architect. His experiences with G Troop, 112th Cavalry, in the Southwest Pacific Theater during World War II. Growing up in an Italian-American family in Mississippi during the Great Depression; volunteering for the draft and processing at Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 1943; basic training at Camp Lee, Petersburg, Virginia, 1943; War Dog Training Center, San Carlos, California, October-December, 1943; assignment to the 26th War Dog Platoon, 1944; assignment to New Guinea, 1944; Battle of the Driniumor River and his attachment to elements of the 32nd Infantry Division, 1944; jungle patrols on New Guinea with his dog; his transfer to Troop, 112th Cavalry, and the invasion of Leyte, Philippines, October, 1944; his new duties as a machine-gunner; small unit combat in the Philippines; living conditions in the Philippine jungles; comments about the fighting prowess of his comrades in the 112th Cavalry; comments about replacements; jungle patrols on Leyte and Luzon; the 112th’s activities around Marungko and Antipolo, Luzon, 1944-45; descriptions of cannibalism by Japanese soldiers; his wounds from artillery shrapnel and evacuation by helicopter; his return to the 112th Cavalry and preparations for the invasion of Japan; witnessing the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945; occupation duty at Tateyama, Honshu; relations between Japanese civilians and American occupation troops; destruction of Japanese defensive fortifications and weapons on Honshu; his return to the States, December 1945, and mustering out of the service.
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