Chapter 6: 1944, D-Day, Hawaii & the Palau Islands

In early June of 1944, the Allies had finally launched their long-anticipated assault on German occupied Europe along the beaches of Normandy. And, although Raymond had been declared 4F at the outset of hostilities, the army had welcomed his good friend, Emmett Davidson, into their ranks. His unit had waded ashore the eighth day after the initial landing, and the Alabama PFC had been wounded shortly thereafter.

2 That summer, another Alabama boy was headed for the Pacific Theatre of the war. Like his cousin Buford, Private Roscoe Isaac York had been introduced to the United States Army at Ft. McClellan. As a soldier in the 81^st Infantry Division, however, his first stop overseas was the place where the war had begun for the United States, Hawaii.

3 “Remember what happened there, boys,” General Paul Mueller had told them before they arrived. “Them Japs sure bombed the hell out of this place!” Private Goode observed as he looked around. “They sure did,” Roscoe agreed. “We’re going to be giving those bastards a little payback,” Goode continued. Roscoe nodded but didn’t say anything else.

4 Hawaii, however, was not just about underscoring the fact that the Japanese had initiated this war. The General wanted his men to have an opportunity to enjoy the beaches of Waikiki before they had to face the horrors of combat.

5 “I could get used to this,” Goode told his friend. “I wouldn’t get too used to it,” Roscoe replied. Even so, Roscoe was enjoying the sun and ocean just as much as his buddies.

6 Still, his words would prove to be prophetic. It wasn’t long until they had been loaded aboard some ships and were heading for the open ocean again.

7 They learned in route that their next stop would be the Palau Islands scattered across the Pacific just to the east of the Philippines. The islands had been in Japanese hands for thirty years, and the emperor’s soldiers were well entrenched there. Nevertheless, General Douglas MacArthur viewed U.S. control of the islands as an integral part of his strategy to defeat the Japanese. By the middle of September, they had reached Anguar.

8 Now it was standard practice in these campaigns for the battleships and aircraft carriers to hit the enemy positions on an island hard prior to the troops going ashore. Hence, when Roscoe finally hit the beach, he was astounded at the devastation evident all around him.

9 The Navy’s shelling, bombing and strafing of the island may not have eliminated the enemy, but it had succeeded in shredding most of the trees and plants lining the beaches. Moreover, the flame throwers, mortars, grenades and machine guns were making quick work of anything the ships and planes had missed.

10 “This sure don’t look like Hawaii!” Private Goode exclaimed. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Roscoe admitted. “You soldiers get over here and help to unload this ammunition,” a sergeant shouted.

11 Thus, they spent the next two hours unloading ammunition and supplies and didn’t have much of an opportunity for sightseeing or talking. In fact, most of Roscoe’s and Goode’s time over the next few days were spent performing similar duties and standing guard.

12 Within a few days, most of Anguar was under American control. News, however, was not good from the neighboring island of Peleliu.

13 The 1^st Marine Division had encountered stiff Japanese resistance there and had suffered heavy casualties. As a consequence, General Mueller ordered part of his men to go there and help them, and he also redoubled the efforts to complete the new airstrip on Anguar to support American operations elsewhere in the islands of Palau.

14 Roscoe would never forget some of the things he saw there. He almost admired the ingenuity behind the coral caves and tunnels that the Japanese had used to defend the islands and resist the Americans.

15 “Those devils used every trick that their fiendish little minds could invent,” Goode observed. “Look at that!” Roscoe gasped as he pointed toward the charred remains of a Japanese soldier.

16 And the smell, he would never forget the smell of that place. Everything had been burned here: flesh, rocks, trees, equipment and buildings. The smell of smoke and decay permeated the air.

17 When it was over, the Battle of Peleliu had the distinction of having one of the highest casualty rates of the war. The Japanese had simply refused to surrender, and they had made good use of their knowledge of the terrain which they were defending.

18 “I hope I never see the likes of this again!” Roscoe exclaimed. Although the 81^st Infantry was not finished (they would also see action in the Philippines and assist in the occupation of Japan), Roscoe was ready to return to Brindlee Mountain and farming as 1944 drew to a close.