In news, more books have arrived and I am most of the way through Harold J. Goldberg's D-Day In The Pacific which features accounts from Mr. Al Perry and former Lt. Frederic Stott, a friend of Phil Wood's, who mentions the fatal July 5th patrol in his memories - quite a surprise to come across that passage. Also, made it through the USMC Battle Report for Saipan (Marine Corps training film on the battle with more incidental details than one can shake a stick at) and the unsettling Saipan Uncensored which is entirely composed of footage shot during the battlefield itself, much of it in color and much of it never seen anywhere else - for good reason, perhaps, I have had a nightmare or two - though I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing. Lots of good information coming up, including personal interviews with members of the 25th Marines and some insights as to where the July 5 patrol took place. (I will try and do a few screen caps, though Traditions Military Videos put some scary sounding copyright warnings in front of these particular films).
Also, through internet searches (the one thing I have to thank my job for, I am a dab hand at finding individuals over the Internet) and some well worded emails, I have obtained the address of one Murray Fox, who served in all four major battles with the 4th Marine Division. Phil Wood mentions going on liberty in Hawaii with a Murray Fox, and of course there may be more than one, but you never know until you ask - so I've mailed him a letter to ascertain precisely that. Fingers are very crossed for a positive reply.
Lastly, this is not necessarily on topic, but still very cool: remember Lt. Commander Billings, who went down with the USS Quincy? Imagine my surprise when the following arrived today in an envelope from my mother:
There he is, "ever-present pipe" and all. I'd never seen a picture of him before now.
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