Part Six
Over the following days, we pressed north toward the center of the island. Passing Magicienne Bay on our right, I admired the magnificent view and reflected that it would be an incredible place to visit under different circumstances. Intelligence estimated up to 10,000 Japanese troops remained on the island, many entrenched in well-protected bunkers scattered across the unforgiving terrain. We stayed alert for incoming shells from enemy howitzer positions, and sniper fire cracked around us with ominous regularity.
I trudged onward, hoping that the Lord would keep me safe and out of harm’s way. The fellas in my unit and I couldn't properly celebrate a peaceful Fourth of July. I reckon we created our own fireworks show as we fired round after round from our 105mm howitzer. We witnessed the continued ferocity that war among men could bring. I imagined what my family was doing back home as I tried to sleep with one eye open, wondering if I’d live to see another day. The thought of walking into a machine gun nest full of enemy combatants or having a grenade land in my lap filled my body with trepidation. My unit continued steadily along the eastern coast until we were just north of Mount Tapochau. We had finally found a somewhat suitable location for our 105mm howitzer so that we could provide support to the infantry as they made progress toward Marpi Point, near the northern tip of Saipan. However, we knew it was likely that some Japanese spotters remained high atop Mount Tapochau, and this was very concerning because we were sitting ducks in our new firing positions.
In the early morning hours of 7 Jul 1944, I was awakened by the sound of intense gunfire. When dawn finally broke, I looked through my binoculars and was horrified to see what appeared to be an untold number of Japanese soldiers and civilians advancing rapidly toward our position. The sheer volume of enemy combatants was alarming, and I knew we were about to face a fierce battle. The men of my artillery regiment were as ready as we could be, and we quickly began exchanging fire with the Japanese. Our position wasn’t ideal from a defensive standpoint, with little protection from the counter-battery fire that was getting too close for comfort.
During the ensuing chaos, minutes turned into hours, and the hours seemed to drag on with no end in sight. The humidity clung to our skin like a wet blanket, while occasional rain turned the ground into slick mud, and the scorching sun beat down relentlessly. We’d been fighting all day, and our ammunition was beginning to run low. Just as the sun began to set, we realized we could no longer hold our position. Although our unit had killed hundreds of the Japanese aggressors, we figured it was just a matter of time before we would be overrun.
Therefore, with a machete in my right hand and my rifle in my left, my battery mates and I made our way to a nearby area thick with vegetation. I hoped the velvet bean plants, dangling vines, and assortment of palm trees would provide enough cover for us to set up a defensive position and ambush the enemy as they drew ever closer.
Presumably out of the enemy’s line of sight, I tried to remain vigilant as I attempted to carve out a firing position in the unforgiving jungle. Though our unit was heavily outnumbered, my buddies and I were prepared to stand our ground and put up a valiant fight. Suddenly, grenades began exploding all around us as the Japanese tried to force us from our improvised defensive position. The acrid smell of gunpowder permeated the landscape around me. I surely didn't want to die, but I couldn’t leave this world while lying on my belly. The remaining bit of sunlight illuminated the sky just enough for us to attempt a flanking maneuver, hoping to catch the unrelenting enemy off guard. As I raised my rifle to take aim, I felt a burning sensation in my left leg. I stumbled and involuntarily fell to the ground. I reached over with my hand in an attempt to ease the pain, only to realize I'd been shot when I saw blood dripping from my palm.
The next thing I knew, darkness closed in as I was thrown backward after a barrage of enemy gunfire struck my chest.