"By D+7, our casualties had reduced our effectives to a shockingly small number; we hardly dared to call ourselves a battalion anymore. The charge of Bloody Nose Ridge was the bravest and most disastrous acts so far. Despite being wounded twice, an Lt. led his men on the crest of the ridge, but only a handful of them made it. The smallness of their numbers made the position untenable. They came back down, ready for another stalemate.
About that time, the Japs unleashed a terrific mortar barrage which lasted about an hour.
There is a feeling of helplessness which is born out of the realization that one can do nothing to protect himself. Out here, your fate rests with the Almighty — and the accuracy of a Jap gunner.
I saw PFC Pattee, who was a wireman in our platoon, working under fire in order to lay wire and keep communications open until his luck ran out.
He got hit by shell which mangled his left arm. So badly was the arm severed that it hung to the elbow by only a few tendons. He walked unaided for 500 yards to the BAS. He even had the guts to take his good hand and wave at us as he was walking away. He didnt get any medals, not even a commendation. Too many guys like Pat went home to run into glamour boys with three rows of campaign ribbons.
War is not a pleasant business." – Lt. Robert W. Fisher, 1st Bn, 1st MarDiv, Peleliu, 1944. #ww2 #reality #stayzero #zerofoxtrot