first-hand account of Guadalcanal

[mosca]

Just going through my hard drive, I found this from about 2 years ago, and though of who might like to read it.

Mosca



My Dad went to his 50th college reunion recently.  One of his classmates there, Richard E Milana, who my father didn't know in 1949, was on Guadalcanal.  He and my father started exchanging letters; my father has just handed me this one.  It is 19 pages, singly spaced.  I will now share it as I read it.  I will keep all typos, etc intact.

Dear Walt:

Your letter or should I say short story of your business life was truly interesting.  I am not sure where I should start and so I will begin with the Guadalcanal campaign.

7 Aug 42, 6 AM: about three miles off shore navalplanes and ships bombarded the shores of the island as the marine approached the shore in Higgins Boats (over the side into the water; we did not have the drop fronts at this time) We sprayed the palms with our Lewis Gun (World War I).  Ran onto the beach and then pushed toward the jungle.  I was in the first wave.  The landing was a snap, no opposition; there was no beach defence, and what ever Japs were there ran into the jungle.  My one thought as weapproached the island was "God I hop e that I will not be a coward." We pushed to the jungle where we were to spend the night.  All kinds of noises eminated from the jungle.  Sgt Steiner of my company was the first marine to dye on Guadaal.  Not knowing what the noises were he told the men in his platoon that he will crawl 30-40 yards out and if anyone saw any one standing up to shoot to kill.  Hee crawled out and there were no Japs around so he stood up to walk back.  He was immediaately shot and in the morning we found him dead.  The marine that shot him weh=nt off his rocker and had to be evacuated.  Steiner was married a few days prior to be shipped overseas.  My company: L Company,  3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, First Marine Div.  L-3-5.  had the bismal distinction of having the first marine killed on the island.

About noon we were relieved by the first regiment whe took positions from the jungle along the Teneru river up to the bay.  My regiment then took positions along the beach up to the Lunga River.  On the 7th of Aug many Jap Bomber sank several of our transport ships and we lost much of our provisions.  A giant Jap base was located about 220 miles up the slot, Rabaul.

During that afternoon a Jap sub surfaced and threw 5 inch shells at us. We had nothing to shoot back with but about 50 yards up the beach was a Jap 3 inch anti-air craft rifle was in place.  So I, Grekin, Motsinger, and two others ran over to the gun, the sights were smashed but othere wise operable.  A bunker was filled with shells to fire.  We pointed the gun towards the sub and fired.  We did not know exactly what to do because these shells would explode on contack or a timing mechanism.  So we fire setting the timer at 25 sec.  another at 20 sec and the nest at
15 sec.  The first two went to far but the 15 sec shell burst right over the sub and we blew the Jap gun crew off the deck.  The sub immediately submerged and never returned again.  In the book "Guadalcanal"credit was given to the 11th regiment, our artillery reg.  but they were not on the island as yet.  We did not even get a thanks, well done.

We found a warehouse full of Jap beer, saki and rice; some guys got drunk but we had a warm meal, rice with magots.  The air field the japs were building was re-named Henderson Field after the naval pilot that dived his plane into a Jap cruiser and sank it.  Our engineers worked furiously to get a run way intoshape so we can have some planes come abord.  A squadron of wild-cats finally came because we were constantly being bombed during the day, and shelled by their navy at night.  Thirty bombers and a dozen of Zero's came daily and only a few of the Wild-cats went after them.  It was something to see because they were so outnumbered.

Richard E Milana

[mosca]

Guad, part 2
Our battalion was then deployed west of the Lunga River on perimiter defence about three miles short of the Matanikau River, the otherside of which until the end of the island was held by the Japs in strength. We set up barbed wire backed up with a 37mm anti-tank gun and many shells witjh buckshot. My company faced no-man's deritory from the beach, through the coconot grove to the jungle. For about a month my platoon went on patrol towards the Matanikau. No body wanted to take point and so I voluntared and usuall walked 40-50 yards in fromt of the patrol. I thought this over and concluded that if there was a Jap sniper in the trees he would let the patrol pass so he could shot marines in the back and not be spotted. I took point 3o days in a row. One day a Jap came up to me with his hands raised, I could see he had no weapon and no concealed grenades under his arms. When the rest of the patrol came up my sergeant told me to shoot him. I refused so another marine shot him in the back of the japs head (this was acceptible by Geneva Convention, you need not take prisoners when in enemy territory) Other times, while on patrol I spotted a Jap patrol walking towards us. I shot two before the rest ran out of sight. Several days later a Jap carrying a white flag towards us and he was taken to head-quarters. He claimed that the Japs on the other side of the river, in Mitanikau Village, about 300 wanted to surrender. The following day Colonel Goetege and several officers and thirty men marched to the village. They were slaughtered all but one who jumped into the bay and swam back to our lines and told the general what occured. The general decided we have to wwipe out that Jap enclave. L company was to march through the jungle and hit them the next morning from behind; K company was to march up the trail and hit them from that side; and I company was to hit them from the sea. We would then out-number the Japs. However nothing went right. A japonese naval fleet came into the bay and shelled the trail and K company could not get through, nor I company by sea. L company then proceded over a ridge towards the village. I spotted a Jap sniper climbing a tree about 350 yards ahead. T told Eddie Woods I see a Jap and told him where. Eddie asked me if I could take him out and I replied he is as good as dead. I aimed at his throat and figured it would hit him in the middle of his chest. I fired and we saw him fall. My leutenant came over to scould me because we were supposed to be on a secret attack. I replied secret hell look into the bay and you can see the whole jap fleet shelling the coconut grove, and I company can not get trough, secret hell they know we are coming. Neverthe less we continued towards the village. A Jap observation plane flew by. We were only about 150 strong because our machine-gun platoon could not cross the steep and slipetry banks of the Matanikau. Riflemen such as me had to throw thier rifles ahead and crawl up as best we could, foot by foot.

L company entered the village and quikly dispatched the machine-guns mounted in the trees and suddenly they came on a Banzai charge and one marine yelled look at them coming. I looked and for a fraction of a second did not see them and began shaking with fear but once my eyes focused on them I settled down to a turkey shoot. The marines suffered 4 dead and many wounded but we wiped out the village. Upon walking on the beach I stumbled on something. It was the forearm of a marine, part of the Goettege Patrol. Other guys dug in the sand and found other bodies. They were mutilated with arms,hands etc chopped off. We had to get out of there fast because the Jap navy was returning. They did not know of the outcome of the battle; hence we did not dig up any evidence of finding these bodies. Even though our officers reported it the navy never acknowledge it it and were only listed as missing in action. In 1994 Col. Goettege's nephew wrote me and I reported what I had scene and gave him names of other marines. The Navy still does not acknowledge what happened there and suggested a marine detachment dig up the beach for concrete evidence some 54 years later. Matanikau Village , now called Honoria currently has a population of 45000. How can anything be found now!

Back-tracking to Aug 10 '42: The First Regiment dug in along the Teneru River, from jungle to bay, shortly afterwe had landed on the 7th. The Japonese under command of Col. Ichiki landed beyond the Teneru with 910 men of the Jap elite imperial troops that took Singapore. He promised Admiral Tanaka and the Emperor that he will regain Henderson Field. His information about the marine strength was incorrect and thought we had no more than four thousand troops extened around the perimeter on the front line. We had about 11000 marines at this time. Ichiki had figured we could not have any defence along the Tenaru and he sent a company to cross at teh sand-ba in formation and they were immediately cut down by the marines. Next he tried a flanking maneuver but we had positions there too. A Jap gernade blinded PVT Schmit and blew the hands off his cohort both of whom manned a machine-gun. with no eyes but good hands his buddy directed him where to shoot. He was credited with killing over 200 Japs and a moving picture was made of his life and exploits. Of course the movie ended withthe possibility of his regaining his sight but he never did. The entire Jap unit was destroyed- 910 and 47 marines killed. The body of Col. Ichiki was never found, whether he was killed by the marines or took his own life, Adm. Tanaka said that was what he had to do.

Richard E Milana

[mosca]

Guad, part 3
On Sept 17-42 the 7th marines disembarked on the Canal completing all regiments of the First Div. The 11th marines, our artilaryreg came in a few days earlier. They had to hasten to unload the transports as fast as possible, though not completely of supplies because Jap bombers were on theire way (thanks to Aussies that were oon various islands up the slot that radioed information at great risk to themselves) About 100 gallons of aviation gasoline was dumped in our bivuack area; tjhey also drop a
155mm naval gun on the beach with bags of cordite and shells. The 7th reg. got on the island safely but were soon to experience a bombing raid, ssome of the tyransports were sunk That night a couple of Jap cruisers andd a full destroyer escort started to through shell indesriminately across the beach and airfield. A flare shell landed right on top of the palm tree where I was dug in and they usually through some shells where the flares landed--- I thought I was going to be killed this night because if any of their shells hit the gas drum all ships would fire in that direction. PFC Gerkin, Motsinger, myself and two others ran down to the beach and pointed the 155mm rifle towards the sea; we shoved in a shell and a bag of cordite and fired. We must have broken a record because we fired every few seconds. The Japs must have though we had multiple gun emplacements and the fleet quickkly disappeared. A ship cannot aford to be hit because the next day they will be easy targets for our planes. We fice must have saved all the lives in the 3rd battalion and we did not even get thanks from our officers or the high command; they were all petrified where as we five kept our cool and did something!

A few days before this incident, west of and behind the air field a tremendous battle occured. A Jap reinforced regiment under the command of Gen. Kawaguchi attacked with 6200 men and expected to regain the air field; they under estimated the strength of the marine lines, double barbed-wire emplacement back by many 50 cal. machines-guns from planes that were too damaged to repair; and our artilary who had the whole area who had the whole area co-ordinated. The main body of Kawaguchi's reg hit there and was slaughtered. A battalion of his troops hit a ridge, now known as Bloody Ridge where Col. Edsons raiders were dug in; heavy marine casualties but we prevailed. The following day my company was assigned to take over the ridge. We went through the jungle and leading up to the ridge was a deep drop off about 50 feet then high trees into the jungle. My squad was selected to go into the field; we recieved sniper fire and could not see where it came from. I ran back to the jungle where our company was deployed and told our captain he was wrong in placing us there, either pull us back to the edg e of the jungle or have someone scout the top of the ridge. Of course I was ordered to go.
I zig-zagged running to the top of the ridge and found beuatiful trenches and signalled others to follow. Thetrenches were obviously built by the raider bat. Spent an easy night there and was eventually called to beach defence.

The first battle of the Matinakau was an L company affair, written up in teh book Guadalcanal Diary. Two more battles Several more balttles of the matinakau river followed. I missed one because I was running 105 F fever and my sarg turned me in. In November a large Japanese army landed at Tassaforonga, the far end of the west canal out of range of any rifles we could use. Four ships were unloading Jap troops. We had no planes to intercept them because the night before two Jap Battle ships and full escort blasted the airfield. Bombers from Oral Bay, New Guinea under MacArthurs command finally came but too late. We knew we will be hit in a day or two. These were Japanese Imperial troops that came on a Banzai charge with fixed bayonets and our regimental commander ordered us to fix bayonets because we were short of ammo. the Japs never before encounted troops charging back, they panicked and more than 50% dropped their rifles and ran to the sea to escape. The 1st regiment was ablke to shoot them in the water and slaughtered them (writtened up in Life Mag.)
Oct 13 & 14, a joyous day/ 3000 army troops finally landed on the canal bringing all kinds of suppies --- ammo, cigarettes, boxes of food, fruit and veg. Many marines ran down to the beach to scrounge anything we could, including me. An army Colonel called for his MP's to stop us; a marine major told the Colonel he had better desist because these marines were well armed and starving; we were living on hard-tack and Jap rice loaded wtih magots. It would be best to let them take some canned goods than to cause an incident he would regret. The army colonel backed off.
Another aarmy unit was on its way.

The third and last battle of the Matinakau now was decided on to push the japs past Point Cruise. The 8th marines reinforced with army regiments 164 and 182 were very successful.

I believe you saw the movie "The Thin Red Line". Well the fighting was similar as depicted. However there were many errors. The movie gave you the impression that as soon the army came onto the island the went to the front lines-- not so. They bivuacked off the beach several days and experienced a Jap shelling that night. Several days later the first army contingent reinforced the 5th and 8th marines along the Matanikau. Also the hill in the picture looked to me like it was Mt. Austin, stricktly a marine operation. At this time there were more Japs on Guadalcanal than marines bacause they abandoned New Guinea and sendid their troops to regain the island.

Shortly afterwards the 5th reg. was taken off the lines and to be hald as reserve troops if neccessary. I had counted 105 Jap naval bombardment and 95 air raids; plus the jap army artil;ary. Not to mention "washing Machine Charly" a Jap plane apout the size of a piper cub out fitted to land in the water. At that time we did not know where he came from; the othere side of the island that was mountainous and jungle. quite impassable and completely camouflaged during the day. He dropped small bombs every night to harass us. Then in late Dec., when things looked like everything was going our way, Japs werestarving and had no more fight left. Our forces then pushed to and took Tasafaronga the last Jap hold out on the west end of the island. The 5th reg. got news that we were going off the island. Sixty men of company L of 186 that landed walked off the canal to be shipped to Australia to rest and regroup and be reinforced for future action.

Richard E Milana

[mosca]

Should you really be interested in the Battle of Guadalcanal there is a new book out written 40years later because the aurthur now had access to U.S.  and Japonese documents about the battle.  Thus he had names of all the ships involved and the Jap armed forces.  Guadalcanal by Richard Franks.  I found only one mistake, on page 125 he gave credit to a morter group or the 11th marines for that incident with the Jap sub, as I had previously mentioned.  , We stayed in Australia about 9 months; we loved it here and the Australians treated us as the savior of thier country.  We had more beef than we could consume and lots of fresh milk.

Having now trained the new arrivals we were now assigned to hit New Brittain where the giant Jap naval basee was located at Rabaul.  At the landing we ran into the jungle with lots of equipment, canned fruits and vegtable, K-rashions, ammo.  and radio equipment and covered it with a thick canvas traupoline.  The Sgt.  looked around and picked me to guard this hoard.  It then rained for 14 days without let up and no trails were passable because of the mud.  I of course ate well and had a dry place to sleep deep within the pile as I shoved boxes around.  One evening I spotted 5 Japs coming toward my Reisling gun to fire ( a lighter version of the Tommy Gun) and nothing happened, I was scared/ the Japs saw me aand ran the other way back into the dense jungle.
Undoubtedly they must have though if there was one marine there must be more.  Thank you lord!

The marine secured Morgan Bay and eventually Rabaul.  I did not get into any other action here.  I stayed with the pile of goods and five weeks passed Finally I spotted another marine walking through the jungle and told him my story and please get in touch with my company.  The next day a few marines came to get me.  I was written off the company roouster as missing in action, the dumb sgt forgot where he left me.  We stayed a few months and then my battalion was called to a small Island called Paavuvu, part oif the Russel group.  I was the PFC with the mosttime in action and was chosen to be returned to the States.  I was now stationed in camp Pendelton between Diego and Los Angelese They did not know what to do with me and assigned me to mess duty where the 4th div.  was being trained.  The top-sergeant wore a First Div.  patch and I told him I do not want this duty and would drink and bring on another malarial attack.  He agreed and said this is no duty for one of Geen.  Vangergrift men.  He asked if I could type and I told him I was finishing my second year in college.  Thus I had the privelege to read all marine directives and one that requested over-seas men to go into officer training.  I applied immediately with the sarg's blessing.  Was interviewed by high ranking officers asking my qualifications, etc.  Told them I entered college at 16 and was finishing my second year when the war broke out and went to enlist in Dec 41./ was sent to Boot camp in S carolina, Parris Island on Jan 15th 42 A week passed and then informed that I was accepted and arrived during the fall registration at Cornell, 1945.

I had my fist run in with Dusty [Dusty Rhodes, the head of the Chem E dept at Cornell for many years and reputedly a hellacious taskmaster-- Mosca] then he said that marines wernot allowed to take Cheem.  Eng. because all had busted out in the past.  Winding [another prof; Mosca] interfers and told him why not he attended college at 16 and was bright enough, and he had my records from Brooklyn Col.  Thus I was registered in Chem Eng.  The day I arrived at Cornell there was a detachment of marines, 120 strong, I was the only over-seas man, all the others probably came out of high school to avaoid being drafted.  I showed up at assembly having long hair and a handle-bar mustache.  The sergeant came to me and ordered that the next morning I shave my head and cut off my mustache;he was only a states-side NCO.  Next morning I showed up with my hair in place and mustache wearing five medals.  The sergeant came over to me and said he was going to run me up to the offfice for disobeying orders.  I told him hw is wasting his time; I haad read a directive from general Vandegrift in which he stated that any marine that served with him on Guadalcanal can wear his hair in any style and have a mustache, in what-so-ever outfit he is assigned to.  The sarg.  ran up tto the office and was enlightened by the directive.  I did not make any points with him.  Every day I wore my ribbons to rub it in.  He picked on me as much as he could.  On Jan 15 46 my four year enlistment expired.  Was calleto the office to ship-over and I will get a $600 bonus.  I told Major Sterling I will stay in the marine corps at my own convenience until I get my bars.  He replied that this was never done before.
Howver, he wireed Washington and was first marine accepted this way and could become a civilian whenever I choose.

The sergeant kept picking on me until we finally came to blows in April 46.  He then told me he was going to throw me in the brig for hitting an NCO.  I replied that I am going to the police and have him arrested for hitting a civilian, I resigned from the corps yesterday (he was not aware of my arrangements).  Thus he had to back off and I had to leave the corps, honorably.  I returned to Cornell a few days later under the G.I.  bill.  Now I had all the expences of a civilian; no more good food and shelter and decent pay.  However when I look back I should thank thaat sergeant because the First Div.  took a beating in Korea and then Viet Nam--- chances were I would have been killed.

[stuff edited] ...I persevered and went to Phil-Mar a large mill in Brooklyn that during the war dyed piece goods for the military and upholstery cloth. I spoke to Mr.  Martel, the owner, and he said they only buy from National Analine division of Allied Chem.  Martel said National took care of him during the war for all his dye needs while other mills were on tight allocation.  I replied that National made a handsom profit from you during the war and you made a handsom profit dyeing for the military but it was I that took care of you.  I was a marine in the South Pacific whose butt was on the line and I mentioned Guadalcanal etc.  I walked out with a sizable order and was told to come back in two weeks for more.  My company was delighted that I received an order from Phil-Mar and asked how I did it and I relatd teh story.  My first real success inn 1950.

[stuff edited; now, March 1957] At the end of March I decided to go to Stanbrook a ranch resort near Rhinebeck, N.Y.  The next morning I decidded to go horse-back riding.
They expected me to go out with the group led by the instructor.  I told them I was an experienced rider having road in Australian Rodeos having won bending races, lance races and even jumped bare-back.  The Aussies then challenged me to ride amule that bucked like crazy, and I did successfully, "Good oh Yank" and when accepting praises aand not paying attention the damned mule bit me leg.  The ranches allowed to ride alone when they mounted me in the coral and I put the horse through varying paces.  I also mentioned that I rode polo-ponies.  When riding on the trail through the forest I spotted two women walking.  They told me they were also staying at Stanbrook and so I shall see them at suppertime.
Thus I met my wife Natalie who was there hoping to meet a man.  I lived in a Brownstone three room apartment on the westside of Manhattan and she lived on 79th street womens apartment and worked as the sales manager for a local magazine.  I was 33 and she was 26; eventually after dating her...  6 months she told me to make up my mind, and so we eventually married in Dec 57.

[stuff edited; late 70s/ early 80s?] Because of Atlantics previous dealings with Mitsubishi they asked if we would be their sales agent in the U.S.  Reuben Rabinowitz was delighted to accept the offer and arranged for a dinner with the head of the chemical division of Mitsubishi and I attended with Rueben, Bernard Rab.
and I think the Jap was Dr.  Kato.  He turned to me and said "Mr Meelana, what was your first acquaintance with Mitsubishi products?" Bernard gave me a jab in the ribs and I replied that I know of their great Automotive products.(Idid not mention shoting at Zero's when they straffed us).  We consumatedthe contract and consequently Atlantic and I got a lot of new business even though the dyes were more expensive.

[stuff edited] I have never attemted before to write of my marine or work experiences. I now have a copy to refer to.  I had startd this writting shortly after your letter arrived but I lost a week when my wife became very sick and was hospitalized at Shans Hospital sixty miles away.  I visited every day and tired myself out, plus the chores of keeping up the house.

By the way, at the beginning of Oct 42, because of the bad supply problems to Guadalcanal, and the Japs could land fresh troops anytime, President Roosevelt gave General Archibald Vandergrift permission to surrender to the Japs if he so desired.  Word was passed down to the troops and we all replied that we will fight to the death, if neccessary, no surrendering, We knew of the Bataan March by then.

I did not expect to write a book but here it is:

Best regards and Semper Fidelis Richard E.  Milana

[SaburoS]

Thanks for sharing.  S!  

[Pongo]

Very cool..
Semper Fi!