June 22 We moved back to village and set up area. Dunham and I sang a few sour notes and hit the sack.

June 23 Last night 3 Nips came up within 5 yards of a fox hole. All three were killed. We found sugar and candy on most of them. This morn "B" Co. goes on patrol. We started out and the first man hit was Stubby McDonald. He received shrapnel from a Nip grenade, but walked out. Our flamethrowing tanks which were borrowed from the army cleaned out the area and we moved out again after clearing out 5 or 6 Nips. Next we spotted some Nips in a cane field and the tanks fired canister shot. Next LT. James was hit in the teeth by a sniper. James lost 3 teeth. I saw the Nip who shot James and tried to fire but my MI jammed, so the intelligence man next to me got the Nip. James radio man was hit in the shoulder. Freeman was hit in the neck by shrapnel. After LT. James, Ed Dunham took over; he directed tank fire and directed troop movement. Hobon was the name of the intelligence man who shot the Nip who shot James.

We pushed out again with Dunham really running the company. We moved over the last ridge and set up a perimeter when a nambu opened up behind us and pinned down 2nd Pit. We had our M.G.’s set up and ready to go. Ed Dunham moved up on the ridge to find a place from which to throw a satchel charge. He looked over the cliff and was shot in the head. Word was passed that a man was wounded and I knew it was Ed when I didn't hear his booming voice giving orders. I rushed up to him. I tried to have the corpsman give him plasma there, but it was too dangerous for the corpsman so we moved him out on a stretcher. I was quite broken up and gave a new man hell for stumbling so much. We got him down to a safe area and Doc Wells attempted to give plasma but couldn't find his veins because he had lost so much blood. We carried him down the ridge through a fire lane and our guard was pinned down. I felt of Ed's pulse and thought for a minute that Ed was alive. But I was so worn out and panting so that I probably felt my own pulse. Ed was probably dead before we moved down the ridge. We moved the Plt out of area on the double and another fellow and I ran carrying Ed across an open field and took him to a place from which he could be taken back. I had tears in my eyes for the first time during the operation. I have had other men killed but none affected me like Ed Dunham. My voice was broken for almost 10 minutes. Not only I lost a friend but the Marine Corps lost a friend in Ed Dunham. I am writing a citation for Ed Dunham's Navy Cross Posthumously. Dunham was the most brave and courageous man I've ever known.

June 24 We shot three more Nips last night. This morn we received steak, hamburger and Frankfurters and the company received 2 chickens and 1 turkey that afternoon. Chaplain Father Redmond needed 3 from the battalion so they took 1 from each company. We went through Naha which was a mass of ruins. There were churches, Catholic and Protestant. Father Redmond said there were 1,700 Christians on Okinawa. He also said he had seen a couple of Nip soldiers who were Catholic. We stayed at the 58th Sea Bees and had ice cream and hot and cold showers. Saw a movie "Its a Pleasure- with Sonja Heine. Had hot cakes next morning. Father Redmond is really a swell person. The 6th Division has had over 1700 killed. "B" Company had 52 dead. 229 wounded and killed. We hit the beach with 223. We hear the 6th Div. may receive 3 stars for Okinawa. The 6th has taken 75 percent of the island 1st Division 15 percent - Army 10 percent.

June 25 Returned to camp with reading material and games. I thanked Father Redmond for the good time and turned in the recommendation for Ed Dunham's Navy Cross. Saw Courtney and the boys.

June 26 Had patrol again. My section didn’t have to go after I argued awhile with the company C.O. Policed area--cleaned weapons. After Patrol returned, I took pictures of the squads. Learned we are to move out tomorrow--hope so.

June 27 This morn at 8 A.M. out in trucks for the Sea Wall and a new rest area. We found the Army had muscled in and we had little room in which to put up our hammocks. Gosh! It is a wonderful feeling to know we are through fighting for a few months at least. No more killing and bloodshed, exhausting hikes and sleeping in a mud hole mattress. Last night my section had guard--shot the bull with Lenon, Courtney and Copeland. Promotion list went out. Courtney, Cope, Exinger and I are up for Sgt. Napiwoski and Hassell and Donvito, Foulks, Toscanno, Connell and Gallatin are up for corporal. I surely hope Napiwoski makes it.

June 28 Had a good police job this morn. Wrote a letter to Mrs. Lamberson. What a hard letter to write! Went to movie and saw "Murder on Waterfront-. What a show! 4F

June 29-July 1 Played volleyball--went on patrol. Found nothing. Went back with a grave registration unit to find some of our dead who had not been picked up. I found Allen's body which we covered and marked. Sugarloaf was still the same. Both Marine and Nip gear were strewn all over the place. Our destroyed tanks and Amtrak’s were still sitting. Dead Japs were still lying all over the hill. We returned after finding all the remains to be found.

July 2 This afternoon Diliberto called up and told me to pack. Quinn and I were leaving today for O.C.S. I packed, said goodbye to everyone who was around. We went to Division headquarters and stayed the night.

July 3 Now have 19 months overseas and am pushing 20. We went back to Regimental Hdqtrs. and awaited orders. We were finally told to return to Bn. and go back to Guam for there was no available transportation. That suited Quinn and me for we wanted our sea bags and the chance to see some of our wounded comrades. Courtney and I shot the bull all night. Ray is one of the closest pals I have left. He went down the island to see his father who is a LT. J.G. in the Seabees.

July 4 Today our division cemetery is being dedicated. So Ray, Donvito, Landry and I attended. It was a very inspiring and impressive ceremony. There were color guards from each unit in the division. A firing squad and band. Father Redmond had charge of the dedication and did his usual good job. Gen. Shepherd gave a speech. Chaplain from each faith, Catholic, Protestant and Jewish were represented. The band played, the flag was raised and then lowered to half mast. The 58th Sea Bees really did a wonderful job in engineering the making of a beautiful sign. Pulpit with Bible on which was the 23rd psalm and Lord’s Prayer. Also a large cross and monument dedicating the men of the 6th Division who gave the supreme sacrifice for their country. Flag pole, building with board pictures of Christ. I took 2 rolls of film and have some good pictures.

July 5 Ate chow. Took shower--policed area--wrote letters—played hearts.

July 6. Cleaned my weapons. Cut my Nip rifle stock so it would fit in sea bag. Policed area--sacked out. Took shower--saw movie.

July 7 Arose 5:30 A.M. Ate chow. Packed sea bags. Turned in hammock. Left 10 A.M. in trucks for docks. Boarded the DuPaige about noon. Ate chow which was really a treat compared to Marine chow. Found my compartment which is the usual hot hell hole of an APA. The officer country is damn swell but the enlisted man on ship lives like an animal.

July 8 This morn attended services. The ships Chaplain gave an interesting sermon on denominational cooperation. One could listen to the man for hours. Courtney and I decided to sleep topside so we took a poncho and sacked in on topside deck.

July 9 Had fresh scrambled eggs and fried spuds. We bought a cup of ice cream, some cigars and bait at P.K. and shot bull rest of day.

July 10 Are out in blue pacific. Courtney and I placed our shelter halves on decks under Higgins boats and sacked in.

July 10-17 Played cards--Bought gallon of ice cream at a time. $5 per gallon.

July 17 Landed at Sumay near Orote Peninsula on Guam. What a change has taken place since our landing a year ago. There are now 4 lane asphalt highways running over the island. The native huts have been rebuilt by Army and Sea Bee Engineers. The natives look much more clean and better clothed. They even say Nimitz has a swimming pool. Our camp was built by the Sea Bees and has electric lights and wooden decks for the tents, showers, etc. We found our Sea bags and going through them was just like Christmas.

July 18 We were given a beer ration immediately and the officers received 2 or 3 quarts per man. LT. Deal brought over 2 qts. for we peons and a good number of the officers came over to our area and offered drinks to us which we eagerly took.

July 21 Today is the anniversary of the Liberation of Guam. This morn Christein, Garr, Bell, Calkins, Wierzchowski and several others are leaving for the states about 10 A.M. Copeland told me to pack my sea bag for I am going stateside for OCS.

What a shock! I packed like a mad man. Saw Sparks. Said goodbye to all my pals, Courtney, Exinger, Copeland, Donvito and all the boys. Sparks helped me carry my baggage and at 12 we received our orders and pay and headed for Sumay. 2 P.M. we boarded the USS Burleigh at 4:50 or 1640 we pulled anchor and now are at sea heading for the good old U.S.A. Here's hoping for a 30 day furlough. Mom and dad here I come!

June 22-29 Receiving the best of chow. Steak, fresh eggs, fresh milk, the first in over 20 months. However, working parties have been coming our way every other day. It isn't right we should be doing seamen’s work. But we are and we have to like it, I guess. These Naval officers seem to believe they are God all mighty. Thank God we had men for our officers. I have been reading Berlin Diary by Shirer. Life with Father by Clarence Day. Both are very good. Also have been playing hearts with a submariner, sea bee who was a Marine in the last war and whose wife is the only woman judge in Texas. Dave Labus. Trip has been most enjoyable because we will soon be home. I can now notice the cold climate. I believe I will have to drink some anti-freeze. Frisco will probably be quite cold.

August 2 Today we are to dock in San Francisco U.S.A. It is very cold and all of us are staying topside and near the rail looking for the first glimpse of land. We can now observe gulls and other birds and see a number of ships heading out for sea and some no doubt also heading for Frisco. We have now passed the first buoy. Soon land appeared. We could just make out the outline. We moved very slowly and soon the pilot came out to bring us in. The time was about 5 P.M. Then we passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, which although the day was cloudy, looked very golden to us. We passed alcatraz and finally docked for the night. The city of San Francisco was certainly lit up. The first thing we saw were the neon lights and the lighted hotels.

It was a beautiful spectacle and we all felt like jumping overboard and swimming for shore. We did restrain ourselves and were content to just gaze at an American city. It was so extremely cold that we soon had to go below deck to keep from freezing. About all we did was think of tomorrow’s beachhead and the extreme joy of actually setting foot on the U.S. once again.

August 3 20 months ago today I left these good old States and now as MacArthur would say, "I have returned."- 10 A.M. we disembarked from the Burleigh and boarded a small craft. We sped to the docks and there before me was a civilian! Gosh! He looked strange wearing a civilian suit! We then saw some beautiful American girls and why there wasn’t a mad scramble, I'll never know for everyone felt like throwing their arms around them and kissing honest to goodness white girls--some of the men called the civilians, "Gooks," That brought about a laugh. I mailed my sea bag home and we were then taken to Treasure Island where we were given uniforms and clothes and pay and liberty--the first night which we all took. We looked for steak but no steak. What a time. I enjoyed just watching civilians. I met L. T. Davidson in a ship’s store and went over to see him at his office--we had a very good chat.

August 6 Left S.F. for good old Iowa—won’t be long now.

August 8 Read about atomic bomb and energy. Perhaps Japan will be forced to surrender--sent telegram I was coming home.

August 9 Arose at 6:30 and kept by the window looking for the beautiful green corn fields and awaiting the scent of clover. We finally arrived in Iowa and as we passed thru each town I was getting closer to home--Carroll--Boone--Marshalltown--at last I was near home--I decided to hitch hike home and did so. Mile by mile I came closer to Grundy Center. The farm lands looked beautiful. Finally we entered Grundy Center--home at last. I got out of the truck and hurried thru Main Street--saw Doc Albright and shook hands and rushed home--out came the folks. We embraced and Mom’s eyes were filled with tears and I imagine mine were also. Gosh! It is great to be home. I called and wired and wrote Jean and she is coming home.

August 12 The greatest news since Pearl Harbor--Japan has surrendered--sirens blew--horns blasted out victory--victory--no more war--the Legion paraded--the people collected at the parking lot--the band played and everyone was happy that victory had finally come. Some had tears--some smiles. Those mothers and wives and sweethearts and fathers whose sons gave the Supreme Sacrifice were not celebrating--they realized their loved ones would not be coming home--there was rejoicing yes, but there was also prayer and Thanksgiving.

August 13-30 Had a most wonderful furlough--danced for the first time in 20 months--went to the first show in a theatre--ate steak and drank milk--ate eggs--what a glorious 21 days.

August 30 Left for Quantico.

August 31 Arrived in Washington D.C. Took a tour of the city and saw all there was to see.

September 1 Arrived at Quantico--I imagine we won't have to take officer’s training but will be given the option of discharge.

September 2 We signed papers opting for discharge

September 14 We would have been discharged today but Cohen, Quinn and I have no staff returns--consequently we cannot be discharged until they arrive. We call the place Belsen and Sgt. Major Barbour, the Beast of Belsen. Weekends I have been going to Washington D.C. and New York. Saw Army defeat Michigan at Yankee Stadium and saw Redskins defeat Bears at Griffin Stadium. We don't do a thing here but just wait--Quinn and I could have entered the Fall term but no record books. I saw Lt. Fribourg and Cpt. Bangser.

Cohen, Jewish, Quinn, Catholic and Heckt, Protestant went to the Chaplain and told him our problem. We had points to burn, couldn't be discharged. He agreed with us and advised we write the Commandant of U.S.M.C. Instead we wrote our former Reg. Commander Col. A.A. Shapley who had records made up in three days--November 29th 1945 Quinn, Cohen and Heckt were discharged from the United States Marine Corps.

In closing this diary I would like to say this much about my service in the Corps. I wouldn’t take a million for the experiences or give a penny to do it again. FINIS