What's your most prized possesion that's to do with the war in the pacific?

[CapnScurvy]

For me, it's my Dad's dress uniform on my living room wall. He served just under three years in the South Pacific as a "ground pounder" in the U.S. Army Armor division, 754th Tank Battalion. He was a Tank Commander, Platoon Sergeant. He and the Battalion started in New Caledonia; then on to Guadalcanal, arriving just after the initial beachhead; Bougainville; then on to Luzon, Philippines for it's invasion and liberation.




Along side is my Grand Fathers WWI uniform, of whom I am also proud. Serving in France for over a year in the U.S. Army 322nd Field Artillary.





Perhaps the most important treasure were his stories of the war. The ruthlessness of the enemy, the hot steamy jungle and being "buttoned up" for long periods of time. The friendly Filipino people, who wanted to share what little they had. Dad spoke little about the war, even when asked directly. It was only when he met with his fellow battalion servicemen at one of the yearly reunions would you hear the real story. It was like these others guys were the only people on earth who knew what you knew. Who saw what you witnessed, and understood the agony of war and the pain from the conflict. His silence was deafening to those that knew him. May I suggest that if there is anyone who you know that is able to relate their story PLEASE ask them and copy it down. You will be glad you did when time takes it's toll.

[Schani]

Meeting Charles W. Lindberg here in Grand Forks (his hometown) for the dedication of the East Grand Forks World War II Memorial. He was the last surviving member of the platoon that went up Mount Suribachi 23 February 1945. He is pictured in the (original) flag raising photo. Standing to the right holding a carbine. That is the photo he autographed in a book I brought. He pointed out many of his friends and some other photos he is seen. One of the two guys with flamethrowers going up Suribachi that day. And group photo on top.

Just a note. Joseph F. Enright (USS Archerfish) was from Parschall North Dakota (born in Minot). Wish I could have met him.

Also, a buddy of mine has his father's 1st Cavalry Division album. That was at my place and survived the flood of 1997.

With 1946 Tokyo autographs from Generals:

MacArthur
Krueger &
Eichelberger

He was an officer in the 61st Artillery battalion. He commanded a 105mm battery in the Admiralities, Leyte and Luzon. I do have the orignal surviving copy of his war diary. For some reason the year before I made a copy. The original was destroyed in the 1997 flood. I happened to have the copy on the top shelf above my desk. His family wanted me to keep it after I offered it back. The family and I have good been friends for over forty years and I guess they figured it's in good hands. Though we recopied it for the division history a few years later.

I love'd their motto:

Artillery lends dignity, to what otherwise would be a vulgar brawl.

[Vacquero]

Memories of my grandfathers stories. He was a Marine, hit Guadalcanal and Tulagi and a few more that I can't remember. He was part of the first wave on Guadalcanal and the second on Tulagi. Wish I could have gotten his stories on tape, course it was hard to get him to talk about it anyway.

[Steeltrap]

Originally Posted by snakeyez

Many WWII submariners believed O'Kane to be crazy, on a revenge mission for the Wahoo, and reckless. My grandfather thought this way, and it saved his life, for he was supposed to go to sea on the Tang, but swapped with another EM for the Tambor.

Someone died in my grandfather's place on the Tang under O'Kane's command...

I find this interesting. From my reading of O'Kane's writing, and reviewing Tang's record, it's hard to see how this was supported by fact.

They had the lowest number of patrol days per ship sunk of any USA sub in WWII.

They didn't suffer any casualties until sunk, and that was from a malfunctioning torpedo, certainly not something attributable to O'Kane.

He tested many, many things about the true nature of Tang's operational limits prior to patrolling. Witness the 'true' depth test method. Also read about the many prudent acts with respect to radar testing and operational use. I think it would be reckless to go to war and not be completely aware of your capabilities and limits.

O'Kane strikes me as a real master of his craft. People who have ideas outside the norm and a real ability to kill 'sacred cows' etc (i.e. non-conformists in a real sense) tend to face the ire of others. When you consider Tang's war record and decorations etc, it's also not hard to imagine some would be jealous (note, I am NOT in any way pointing any of these remarks at your grandfather!!!!).

He might also have been driven and a perfectionist, and such people are often difficult to live with.

It's also true he was a professional naval officer, and his views on why they had a submarine at all were very clear: sink the enemy. If not doing that, get out of it and let someone else do it.

Completing more patrols in a shorter period of time than any other boat might also have given rise to discontent. If your view was "I'm doing what's expected, but I don't see why we have to do more than is expected and more often than anyone else" vs "We should be killing them all until there are no more to kill", it's likely to produce a pretty divergent view on performance, and understandable that some might think he was 'crazy' (after all, why would you choose to risk your life more regularly than anyone else in similar circustances?).

It would have been interesting to speak with those who served with O'Kane for any length of time and try to get a real picture of what he was like. I wonder if his exec, Frazee, ever made any observations about him? Then again, hard to imagine a former subordinate is going to criticise a man with the highest decoration open to members of the armed forces of his country....

[snakeyez]

Originally Posted by Steeltrap

I find this interesting. From my reading of O'Kane's writing, and reviewing Tang's record, it's hard to see how this was supported by fact.

They had the lowest number of patrol days per ship sunk of any USA sub in WWII.

They didn't suffer any casualties until sunk, and that was from a malfunctioning torpedo, certainly not something attributable to O'Kane.

He tested many, many things about the true nature of Tang's operational limits prior to patrolling. Witness the 'true' depth test method. Also read about the many prudent acts with respect to radar testing and operational use. I think it would be reckless to go to war and not be completely aware of your capabilities and limits.

O'Kane strikes me as a real master of his craft. People who have ideas outside the norm and a real ability to kill 'sacred cows' etc (i.e. non-conformists in a real sense) tend to face the ire of others. When you consider Tang's war record and decorations etc, it's also not hard to imagine some would be jealous (note, I am NOT in any way pointing any of these remarks at your grandfather!!!!).

He might also have been driven and a perfectionist, and such people are often difficult to live with.

It's also true he was a professional naval officer, and his views on why they had a submarine at all were very clear: sink the enemy. If not doing that, get out of it and let someone else do it.

Completing more patrols in a shorter period of time than any other boat might also have given rise to discontent. If your view was "I'm doing what's expected, but I don't see why we have to do more than is expected and more often than anyone else" vs "We should be killing them all until there are no more to kill", it's likely to produce a pretty divergent view on performance, and understandable that some might think he was 'crazy' (after all, why would you choose to risk your life more regularly than anyone else in similar circustances?).

It would have been interesting to speak with those who served with O'Kane for any length of time and try to get a real picture of what he was like. I wonder if his exec, Frazee, ever made any observations about him? Then again, hard to imagine a former subordinate is going to criticise a man with the highest decoration open to members of the armed forces of his country....

Hey I agree with you Steeltrap. O'Kane was a master at what he did. I wonder sometimes just what the Tang might have further achieved if not for that circle run torpedo.

But I try to think about what rumors may have been spreading at that moment in time when the Tang was at Midway in June of 1944, heading out for her 3rd war patrol. The Tang was making a name for herself already at that point. And everyone knew of the Wahoo's loss by then. I just don't know what it was like then. The other guy that swapped with my grandfather wanted to be part of the Tang's fame. I guess my grandfather was cautious, and perhaps that saved him, and me as well! All of those guys were there because they volunteered for submarine service. It's all amazing to me.

It's just difficult to look back on things and understand when we know the history and outcomes. I'll never know sadly.

[I'm goin' down]

My father was in the 4th Marine Divison and landed on Saipan in the invasion. He was in a medical unit, and organized the defense of a front line field hospital which was attacked that very night. According to my mother, several enemy dead were found outside the defense perimeter the next day. He was awarded the Bronze Star in the field by a full bird Colonel. I had the original photo digitally enlarged and framed. It hangs on the wall in the family room. The picture shows the Colonel shaking his hand when the battalion is in formation in their combat fatiquies. The photo includes the line of soldiers in the background. It was taken by an AP photograher and has great depth of field, clearly a professional shot. My father's shirt has stripes (it is a black and white photo) which probably signified he was in a medical battalion. I have the medal, his dog tags, a field mirror, a 1943 Marine Corps field knife, his ribbons, his Marine Corps trunk, a field blanket, and the original medal citation signed by James Forrestal. See below.

I copied the citation, the original which is framed, in full and share it here. It reads:

THE SECREATARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON


The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

FIRST LIEUTENTANT HENRY J. MILLER,
UNITED STATE MARINE CORP RESERVE,

for service as set forth in the following:

Citation:

"For meritorius achievement as Quartermaster of the Fourth Medical Battalion, Service Troops, Fourth Marine Division, in action against the enemy Japanese forces on Saipan Island, Marianas Group, from 14 June to 9 July 1944. Skillfully performing his regular duties, Frist Lieutenant Miller initiated a security guard around the batallion hospital area, thereby preventing serious casualties among the hospital personnel and patients undergoing treatment. Conscientous and resourceful, he employed every means available to secure much needed supplies for the comfort of the sick and wounded. His indomitable spirit, tireless efforts and unselfish devotion to duty relect the highest credit upon Frist Lieutenant Miller and the United States Naval Service."

Frist Lieutenant Miller is authorized to wear the Combat "V"

For the President,

James Forestal (original signature)

Secetary of the Navy.

Note: after the war, my father refused to stand in line for anything. I guess the Marine Corps cured him of that! He taught me the Marine Corps hymm when I was a toddler, and I grew up listening to Broadway production of South Pacific, which I saw at Lincoln Center (the revival) in September. It was great!

[clayp]

A dead jap..........

[Nisgeis]

Wow, there's certainly a lot of treasured possesions. The photographs are especially nice. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

[shoot-kill-win]

Well, I have two prized possessions. The first is portrait of the Batfish's crew during the war (aft of the bridge) that is autographed by the remaining crew members. The second is my copy of "The Depths Of Courage" that is autographed by many different WWII submariners.