Mel Heckt’s Diary, Part 2

June 13, Slept too late – missed chow – we may have another inspection today – M.G.’s and personal gear – the Tractor men are cleaning their tractors, weapons, etc. Below deck and there is so much noise one cannot hear oneself think. Radio reports state big air battles going on over Saipan and Tinian. U.S. shot down over 142 planes; lost I5; sunk 16 transports.

June 14 Read short stories--took fresh water shower--listened to Tokyo Rose and Nip broadcasts on the losses of the allies and the deeds of the strong Nip army.

June 15 D. Day--2nd and 4th divisions hit Saipan and Tinian--made beachheads successfully--5:30 P.M. 3 Nip planes attacked our convoy. LST 477 and 488 received credit for I plane. Nips released torpedo at one of our destroyers but missed. No more Nips tonight.

June 16 Reversed our direction--G.Q, went at 5 A.M. No enemy. Went again at 10:00 A.M.--still no enemy--learned 13 men wounded and 3 killed from last evening’s raid--this report is not confirmed. Received word we will delay attack on Guam.

June 17 Ate beans and Cooper's figs. Read more Best Short Stories--"Monkey' s Paw" "Tomberoy" "Darling" et cetera. Ate noon chow and went below deck and played hearts. Just finished evening chow when G.Q. blew. Everyone was looking for Tojo's birds--suddenly off the star-board bow we observed 20 mm fire and saw a plane drop straight down--then fire and more fire and a small, fiery meteor-like ball went sailing through the air. Some believed this to be a tracer; then it gradually fell to the water and we knew another of Tojo's airmen had reached his Utopia. There were other alarms but no more planes and so to the sack.

June 18 D. Day + 3--we were suppose to make beachhead but will hit tomorrow.

June 19 Postponed until 20th--G.Q.--no enemy spotted.

June 20 Postponed again--got sunburned--played hearts--took shower. Saw the beautiful red blazing sunset--seas rough tonight.

June 21 Carriers are near hospital ship and transports are about 7 miles off Port bow--perhaps the 22nd will be the day.

June 22 Have quit believing we are to hit Guam--won't believe it till tractors transport us to shore.

June 23 Played hearts--read and slept--evening had bull session on food. Etheridge claims he cracks a squirrel's head, opens and eats cooked brains. It' s peculiar how many different ways we Americans eat the same food.

June 24 Had physical exercise this morning at 9 A,M.--Lt. Hofer gave the hardest as usual. I would rather be doing them at Iowa U. but that doesn't seem possible for another 20 months. We will have a rifle inspection at 2 P.M. Perhaps we will hit beach Sunday. Have been listening to radio in jeep--have heard Tokyo Rose, Tokyo Ann and pilots bombing Saipan.

June 25 More exercise and less constipation--feel much better-Navy reports we are to return to the Marshall’s—Conant, Taggart and I talked long on post war plans.

June 26, 0rders have been changed again and we are heading for Saipan.

June 27 Ate; argued concerning Negro problem.

June 28 Slept thru G.Q. believe it or not--woke up at 5 A.M. and saw 4 carriers off port bow--talked about everything from football to hard and soft water. Have been having cake once a day lately.

June 29 Ate chow--took shower--talked--exercised-got in chow line-- ate rice, meat and gravy, corn and chocolate cake. Translated some of Jim Arneberg’s missiles into English. Fritz Schild started issuing checks to marines wanting pay. He sent them to lieutenants--everyone had a good laugh especially when the gunnery sergeant fell for it.

June 30 Played pinochle--read "Year of the Wild Boar" by Helen Mears. Learned we were headed back to Marshall’s--last evening argued whether a horse pushes or pulls a plow.

July.1, 1944 Having an inspection of M.G.’s and rifles. This morning we have been on this garbage scow I month. The food is running low. However, there is enough flour and coffee to last a long time. Haven' t worn a pair of sox or dungarees for nearly a month--skivvies and shoes are my wardrobe.

July 2 Went thru chow line 4 times for orange juice and hot cakes. Talked athletics, women, etc.

July 3 Ate dehydrated eggs and spam. Mailed 3 V-mail letters written yesterday--calisthenics--played hearts--washed skivvies.

July 4 One year ago today I was at rifle range on guard duty. Ate morning chow--hot cakes and grapefruit juice--talked--calisthenics Napiwoski and I played casino and follow the leader. Ate noon chow pork chops, potatoes, jello, cranberry sauce--after chow had a firing drill--40,s and 20's were spitting their dangerous missiles thru the air--gold, green, pink and black parachute flares. Played hearts and watched boxing match--Sandro has been giving the boys lessons. He was a pro. Played hearts in troop mess hall that eve.

July 5 Sighted land this morn. Pulling into Marshall’s--had 8 to 12 guard duty of head--noon chow consisted of steak, cake and beans. This aft. cleaned carbine--read "Happy Landing" and put in sack time.

July 6 Had liberty in Marshall’s. Damn good liberty it says here an small print. We were landed on a small, flat, sandy, God-forsaken island--nothing to do for 7 hours. We finally returned to the ship. I had just climbed the ladder when someone yelled, "Hector." Cooper left his working party and the Ormsby to return to the old gang--gosh! It was good to see him again--pack, rifle and Cooper--How he did it, I'll never know. Last night Coop, Nap, Tag and I played hearts and drank Jo.

July 7 Mail came at last. I received 16 letters and 2 packages and the packages contained the film Mom and Dad had printed. I am now re-reading each and every letter. It is really great to receive mail.

July 8 went in Higgins boats to LST 482 where Honeycutt, Courtney and the other 1/2 of the platoon lived. Father Redmond promoted a show featuring the swing band from the U.S.S. California. The band was tops--shot the proverbial hockey and returned to LST 477.

July 9 Sunday--went swimming in the morning--we were going to have services, but didn't. Played hearts--15 games before noon chow--about an hour later, the crap games began--by eve, some won't have 10 cents to buy a bar of soap. Cooper and I lost 3-1 in pinochle. Went to the sack below and watched the golden moon rise and shine into our boudoir.

July 10 Ate seconds of hot cakes--showered, et cetera. Played hearts most of the morning--had guard duty 12-4 P.M. Had to wear dungarees—couldn’t sit--had to see to it that tractors could not run away from their chains--went to P.X. after chow--washed skivvies and hit the sack.

July 11 Played Pinochle all morn--ate damn good noon chow--beef and apple pie. This aft. Coop and I beat Taggart and Alabama.

July 12 Father Redmond came aboard ship and held Catholic Mass. He also brought Pogey bait. We each had 5 bars of candy, I carton of cigarettes and cigar. Had cake and beef for noon chow. Had to move from tractor deck to top. Napiwoski, Etheridge and I built ourselves a boudoir out of 3 ponchos and 3 shelter halves. We received mail--8 letters. Taggart and I beat Nap and Etheridge in Pinochle.

July 13 I am getting the bubbling crud in the crotch because of no showers.

July 14 Went ashore at 9:30--received 4 cans of beer--ate noon chow and roamed over airstrip. Engebi is the name of this desolate sand pile--saw TBF's, Corsairs, Hellcats and Wildcats, Helldivers; also every tent had a homemade washing machine, a windmill and a barrel--it looked like a Dutch settlement. Heard a fellow play Boogie-Woogie; also a Tennessee band. That eve Taggart and I bought $18.00 worth of box candy. Saw a movie and returned to LST--found the cot which I had stolen from the Navy had been stolen by the Navy--such is life in the Marine Corps.

July 15 Jablonicky's 24th birthday. Etheridge and I proceeded to build a new boudoir--aft, washed clothes. That eve, I cut my knee on a peanut can. I had insisted that the smokers put their butts in the can. It bled like a stuck hog. The corpsman sewed it up with 5 stitches--I hope and pray it will be o.k. In one week it has to be healed.

July 16 Hot cakes and puffed rice. Played rummy and pinochle in boudoir. Had inspection of gear--knee feels better. Went to bed quite early.

July 17 Knee healing--played rummy and pinochle at night.

July 18 Dummy run--full equipment. Played pinochle as usual. Took shower--gosh! I hope this knee heals in time. A noncombatant is something no one wants to be. The only thing I can do is hope for the best.

July 19 Map reading in morn. Photographs are real beneficial. Squared away pack. Played pinochle at night. Tag and I edged out Coop and Joe.

July 20 I more day and we hit beach. Knee feeling fine. I still haven't run on it. This morn. we cleaned M.G., fired 5 rounds and recleaned it. Ate noon chow. Cleaned carbine. Received 2 grenades. Tonight we will have gear completely squared away. We sang, "There Will Be Gold Star Mothers, Sisters & Brothers". Reville at 3:30 A.M.; departure at 8:10 A.M. First objective is Harmon Road Bridge and Mt. Alifan.

GUAM

July 21, 1944 8:35 A.M. Hit beach in amphibious tractors. Very little opposition on beach in our immediate area. Several tractors on our right were blown up by mines. We moved up slowly near Agat, Guam. Finally we spotted the Nip running up the mountainside. I found I could run even on a weak knee and put the M.G. in action. I believe the gun got 1, possibly 3 Japs. About 2:30 P.M. we advanced up Mt. Alifan. I had one scare when a Jap threw a grenade about 15 yards from our column. John Christein threw a grenade and killed him. We dug in our M.G. on each side of Harmon Road to form a road block. About 1:55 A.M. Nip tanks came within 15 to 20 yards of Napiwoski and my fox-hole. We opened up firing our M.G. before the tanks got real close, hoping to stop an infantry infiltration. We then laid low while the Nip tanks fired at our guns. No way would our M.G.’s penetrate the Nip tanks. Our bazooka man on our right flank and our tanks finally came up. Our bazooka knocked out the first two Nip tanks and blocked the road for the third Nip tank. Busby was killed by either a 50 cal. slug or a round mortar fragment. Oribiletti, our bazooka man, was killed after knocking out 2 Nip tanks. He should receive the Navy Cross posthumously for by his efforts many of our lives were saved. May Busby and Oribiletti rest in peace and God look over them. Breen had both legs shot or blown off during the landing. A headquarters’ major was killed last night. LT. Max Belco, former all American from California and LT. Minier were killed yesterday afternoon. War is Hell! I never was so scared in all my life. My teeth chattered and my knees shook, especially when I heard those yellow b-----ds yelling. Anyone who says he wasn't scared is a damn liar.

July 22 Our tanks knocked out 2 or 3 more Nip tanks yesterday morning. We crapped out most all afternoon. Then we were relieved by the Army. We were suppose to go back for rest but had to take a ridge instead. It rained like hell--we found lots of Jap gear--Saki--not half bad--fish--salmon, etc. We climbed the mountain and sacked in thick brush. We couldn't dig fox holes, too much brush. Didn't sleep much even though no one attacked. Nap and I thought the Nips were all around us. Nap even thought one climbed over him. I believe it was a rat. From then on we were awake until dawn.

July 23 Started out with very little chow and water. We were held up by snipers and were thirsty as hell. I saw Sparks who is all right. Dug in guns--rained all night--miserable as hell! Tossed one grenade--awake all night.

July 24 Drenched all night. Teeth chattering and knees knocking. We are completely out of water, so caught it coming down trees and in palm leaves. That morning Army relieved us after 4 hectic days. Army had gas masks and gear galore. We were damned glad to be relieved. We came down Mt. Alifan and saw dead Japs all over the hills. What a pungent odor! Ate good Old C" rations, watered up and left for Agat. Bedded In and washed and brushed teeth and felt half-way human.

July 25 Awoke after first night's sleep since we hit beach. Cleaned weapons. Boyd was hit by sniper while eating chow. The wound is not serious. I heard a few whiz by while doing my daily duty. I sort of closed affair hurriedly and got the hell out of there. That afternoon went in drive on peninsula to relieve 22nd marines who had received medium casualties. Spent a hectic night drenched to the bone--no Japs; however, 1 rat or lizard climbed over my back and scared the S ---out of me.

July 26 Started drive up peninsula. Tanks and all. Made a good drive--not too many or too serious casualties in our company. "C" company ran into quite a bit. HONOHAN killed last night by one of our own men. Somehow--slight opposition in our company' s area--we went up to end of peninsula and returned hastily before dark after learning we would have been up there all alone. I have dysentery something fierce. One time I didn't make it out of fox hole. You can imagine what a night I had--shimmering, shaking and sh-----g.

July 27 It rained practically all day. Waited until afternoon and moved up to C.P. at night. The company clerk caught a prisoner who looked happy as all hell that he was in good hands. Slept peacefully, except for 2 nocturnal visits to Mrs. Jones.

July 28 Left C.P. and were held up by our own guns on the right flank. M.G. fire kept us hugging the decks. More was killed by one of our own men, an extremely nervous and goosey kid named Evans. Evans later cracked up. That night we were up on the line and had a peaceful, wet night.

July 29 Early this morn our own or Army (probably the latter is more correct) artillery barrage was too close to our lines. 5 "A" company men were killed. Honneycut and Chick were wounded in back and nose respectively. Too close for comfort. Hot metal was falling all around. Nap and I were lying on top of ground and small pieces were falling in front and side of us. We began moving forward to take airstrip--moved very slowly--no water--no chow--nearly exhausted. Rained about 10 P.M. and kept up steadily all night. I didn't have a poncho or protection and lay drenched all night and morning. Had hot cup of joe and bacon and fig bar for breakfast.

July 30 Cleaned M.G.--dried out--went scouting around airstrip which I understand is to be called "Puller Field" in honor of L.T. Col. Puller, 4th Marine Executive Officer killed. Found Nip manuals, clothes, powder in caves. Ate 10-1 ration and hit sack.

July 31 Rained some last night but Nap and I kept dry with Nip or Jap blankets. Piled on trucks and left Orote back to Mt. Alifan and relieved the same 77th Army division that relieved us. Yesterday, a Marine pilot landed on the airstrip--first to land. We are suppose to guard this area while 3rd Division and Army take the rest of the island. We are high in the mountains and can see practically the entire island's scenic beauty. Took a half-assed bath tonight. Combed my hair, first time in 10 days. Took shoes off first time in 9 days. This island has more damn flies than all the flies in the States times 100. Perhaps tonight I can get a good night's sleep.

August 1 Almost froze to death--didn't sleep but little. This morning cleaned M.G. and then it rained and kept raining until about 2 P.M. This aft. got soaked. Had to move our M.G. so heavy M.G. could take best position. Was temporarily urinated. Had to dig new fox holes and gun positions--Nap and I have everything squared away now--ate hot "C" rations, meat and beans and cup of Jo--feel damn good now--hope it doesn't rain tonight.

August 2 The boys brought back a cow and we had steak for breakfast, dinner and supper. Went down mountain to bring back 10-I rations--Nap and I have a fairly good boudoir--1 shelter half and 1 Jap blanket. Learned we are to move out tomorrow.

August 3 Ate chow and prepared to depart from Mt. Alifan. Left with all our gear at one hell of a pace. Met natives on way down. All were most happy and were saying "American Marines"--we walked till almost worn out, then they put M.G.’s on trucks and we rode about 10 miles thru Agana, a fairly good-sized town. We camped a few miles North of the town--everyone was dirty and worn out.

August 4 Nap, Dunham and I put up a new style boudoir--3 shelter halves and one poncho. We then received new dungarees, so badly needed, and socks. I then proceeded to take a bath with two helmets of water--the first in 14 days. I felt like a king. We received mail in the afternoon; it was really wonderful to hear from the folks back home--1 from Jean, Mom, Dolores, Methodist Monthly. Cleaned M.G. thoroughly and ate immense eve chow--English stew, cocoa, crackers, preserved butter and cherry jam--shot the bull and hit the sack.

August 5 Rained all day--Sat, in boudoir and wrote 2 letters.

August 6 Left Bivouac area and hiked up island to relieve 3rd Division--found hundreds of cases of Saki, beer, cider, brandy, candy, et cetera. Nips really had the beverage stored away. A couple of fellows became inebriated but the majority drank moderately. Set up guns--drank soda pop--hit the sack early. I forgot to mention, we had Catholic and Protestant services. It was great to worship again--sang hymns. Rained all night--Nap and I were drenched.

August 7 Moved out at 5:30 A.M. Believe it or not we rode about 1-1/2 miles--we then walked 1-1/2 miles and crapped out most of the day. Then late in the day we moved into the jungle and tried to break some kind of speed record. We came to our bivouac area late and Nap and I just had time to put up our pup tent. It was good we didn't allow our lazy nature to get the best of us for we were about the only ones who stayed dry. Hit the sack hungry and tired--it rained all night.

August 8 Moved out after chow--hiked about 3 miles--both Nap and I had dysentery and felt weak, but Nap was a little more sick than I, so I took the gun and Nap the tripod. After the hike, we laid around while some riflemen went on a small patrol--about 2 P.M. we withdrew and were to be C.P. guard. Word was changed again so we rode a little way back again and set guns in and covered area and road--our brigade is in reserve for 3rd Division--we weren't supposed to but were to rest which we haven't done as yet. It rained all night--Nap and I kept partly dry.

August 9 Cleaned M.G.--had I ration and steak. The boys killed a yearling last night--not half bad. Moved a couple hundred yards--set up pup tent. Received 3 letters--Nick, Dolores and
folks.

August 10 Cleaned area. Took a helmet bath--shaved--took a few pictures of the boudoir--received 6 letters, 1 from Jean, 4 from folks, 1 from the deacon--wrote 1 last evening--stomach feeling better. No more cramps. Had fresh spare ribs--damn good--we are fortunate in having plenty of chickens, hogs and cows in the area.

August 11 Took shower--wrote letters--talked late--sports, et cetera. Slept best last night since on the island. Woke at 9:30 A.M.--ate a tin of cheese and a fig bar--took a bath--ate canned roast beef for dinner. Delicious! Taggart and I went to 2nd Battalion and saw Sparks and Luck. Both are o.k. Sparks has a beautiful hari kari knife. Return to our camp and had hot cakes for eve chow. Island is now officially secured. Received 3 letters--Mom, Dad and Cliff. Had terrific stomach cramps and dysentery--saw Mrs. Jones 4 times last night and following morn.

August 12 Sick all day--finished letters to Mrs. Evans and Cliff. Felt better towards eve.

August 13 Slept late, took shower out of a couple helmets--these damnable flies really cling to a man after he takes a shower. More mail--three cheers--rah! rah! rah!

August 14 Cleaned M.G. and camp--took daily shower--hit the sack.

August 15 Taggart and I went to Agana and Agat. At Agat we saw the 4th Marines cemetery and saw Busby's and Oribeletti's graves. Agat is very desolate. Brother Drake secured us some chow and then Tag and I returned to the place of our landing. Talked to some negro engineers--looked at the hospital for Lt. Ben Trickey and Honneycut. No dice--stopped at Agana--walked thru ruins of town which formerly was populated with 15,000--saw movies, bars, night clubs, banks, hospital, churches, schools, boy and girl scouts, etc. Had very good luck obtaining rides.

August 16 Weapons inspection--cleaned area--dug garbage pit--washed dungarees--played pinochle. Had canned roast beef and sweet corn for eve chow. Has been raining off and on all day.

August 17 Taggart, Cooper and I took off for Orote Peninsula--saw 7th airstrip--docks--ate chow at 15th Spec.--spam, noodles, pickles, beans, bread and peaches. Stopped at air wing P.X. brought some peanut brittle--went to Sumay and saw. the docks. Came back to camp about 6 P.M. Rained all night.

August 18 Played pinochle--read July Leatherneck--Morgan, the corpsman, Nap and I were about the only ones in camp. At this point the men are gradually-getting on each others nerves and it is good for everyone to take off somewhere.

August 19 Conant and I went to Agana and saw my boot camp pal, L.L. Madden who was in 3rd Div. hospital with malaria. We ate chow with him--oranges, apples, spaghetti, meat and beans. I secured 2 packages of baking powder. Conant and I went on to Piti Naval Yard--were drenched to the skin. On the way back to Agana, I gung hoed a sack of flour. I talked to a native boy who was in the Navy and he said his greatest ambition was to go to the U.S.A. Our feeling was mutual. All native Chamarro’s are very pro American--some of them have carbines and are really proud of them--all seem happy and are all smiles--they wave, salute and say hello at least.

August 20 Visited Mrs. Jones--last night had stomach cramps--went to sick bay and then church. I believe the spiritual medicine was more potent than the medical--sang hymns—"I Need Thee".

August 21 Built an oven and Cooper, Copeland and I tried to make some biscuits--the first three times were failures and the 4th a success.

August 22 Allen and Story left M.G. s and set up a galley. Made hot cakes and coffee, meat and spaghetti for eve chow. Galley is for lst Bn. Received 5 letters. Nap and Taggart have been sent to the hospital with Dingy Fever--Keyes and Hofer mentioned V-12 to me--I don't know whether to take it or leave it. I would have to be in the States by September 15th. Went on patrol with Lt. Keyes and 1st Platoon--Polk shot a Nip who didn't have a weapon, just a grenade. Keyes and Dodds cut off the Nips' head and placed it on sand bags facing down the road. This was in retaliation for the Japs having done the same to one of our men, whose head was stuck on a pole.

August 24 Copeland and I went on patrol yesterday. We ran on to one badly wounded Nip--Fife killed him and put the Y.B. out of misery. We walked down a steep slope for about a mile and patrolled the beach. All were dead tired on return to camp. 15 of us out of Battalion were recommended for V-12 to fly back to States and be there Sept. 15th. I wasn't overseas long enough or I am sure I would have been chosen. I wouldn't have wanted to go right now, not for another year.

August 25 Eggs, bacon and cereal for chow. Napiwoski came back from hospital and is all over malaria. It wasn't Dingy Fever after all. Cooper, Copeland, Nap, Maritato and I with the help of Allan, Staff Sgt. in charge of galley, made some delicious doughnuts- -recipe: 2 cans milk, 2 cans water, helmet of flour, 2 handsful of dehydrated eggs, I handful of dehydrated yeast, 3 vanilla tabs, 3/4 canteen cup of sugar--damn good—approximately 75 or 100. Had clothing issue--size 38 pants--40 jacket--gosh! Only the Marine Corps could-do such a thing--took shower--feel damn good.

August 26 Made about 75 more delicious, better than the first batch--doughnuts. Tomorrow, we pull up stakes and board ships--Marr gave me a trim--seems funny not to have Busby behind the clippers.

August 27 Arose at 5 A.M. and began to clean camp. Left about 9 AM and went to Piti Naval Yard by trucks--all were drenched. Saw Sparks, Luckemeyer and others in regiment--left docks at 2:30 P.M. Boarded S.S.Penant about 3 P.M. Found a sack and squared away gear. 7:11 P.M. ship pulled anchor--waited till about 10 P.M. to eat chow. Hit sack with bed bugs--sackbugs would be more realistic--slept soundly.

August 28 Woke in time for chow--oatmeal and beans--three cheers for Navy beans--on way back from chow, saw Gene Blair, SAE from Cedar Falls--Coop and I talked till moon was high--brushed teeth and hit sack--Arizona played in mess hall and will play for 8 STRAIGHT days.

August 29 Had eggs and grapefruit (in the can) for chow. Slept most of day--took shower. Nap and I talked about apple pie and ice cream, brownies and food in general.

August 30 Beans for chow--cleaned out hold--played pinochle--ate eve chow at 2:30 P.M.--go on guard at 4 P.M. Stood guard, after which Blair of C.F. and I shot bull--he fixed my damnable tropical ulcers and then he prepared some Jo and tomato soup, orange juice--the best chow I have had overseas.

August 31 Went on guard duty at 4 A.M. Had stomach cramps and dysentery before relieved--ate chow--played pinochle--Nap and I beat Cope and Coop 4 to1. Slept--ate eve chow--took shower--salt water, i.e. Blair fixed me up with oranges and orange juice and tomato soup.

September 1 Played pinochle--read murder mystery. At night, Cross gave me some white cake--it was delicious. Put mattresses top side. Saw show "Buck Privates". It rained but we stayed.

September 2 Played cards. Some of men were on working party. We gung hoed grapefruit, juice and pears. I went on working party at 10 P.M. Secured 1:30 A.M. Didn't acquire anything. Slept in rain again.

September 3 Played pinochle--Cope and I lost to Chris and Coop 4-2. Received a bar of candy from the Navy. I don't see how they can spare it. Saw movie "Margin for Error". Was rained out again.

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