The advance was set to continue by 1200. Events of the previous day had disorganized the lines. The 23rd and 24th Marines were ordered to make any necessary adjustments through local attacks, and be ready for the jump off. The 23rd completed its maneuvering by 1155, by which point the attack had been officially delayed until 1300. Generally, the attack of July 5 would be regarded as a success. Much ground was gained, the schedule was, for the most part, adhered to, and casualties overall were quite light. But every move brought casualties, and on July 5, 1944, the 24th Marines would bleed.
These occasional days of rest we received had their obvious advantages, but there was the accompanying disadvantage of the never ceasing movement of the 4th Marine Division. Thus when we returned to replace someone on the line, the lines had moved well ahead, and it necessitated a hike, Marine divisions not being motorized.... We trudged along a circuitous route to relieve the 23d Marines for an attack scheduled for 1300.
A normal artillery preparation preceded it, followed by the morale-lifting rockets, but neither they nor mortar fire could eliminate many cave-dwelling Japs. And again the cost was heavy.
- Captain Frederic Stott, "Saipan Under Fire."
Company “A” was preparing to move forward again by annihilating the enemy. Phil was firing his mortars in preparation. Suddenly a group of wounded native civilians (Chamorras) came out of some caves forward of our lines. As always, Phil and Sgt. Ervin, his Section Sgt., asked if they could take a patrol forward and help the natives back to our lines. He soon returned with many wounded women and children. There were many more in the caves, which the Jap soldiers wouldn’t let surrender. Phil returned to the caves with his patrol.
- Captain Irving Schechter, letter to Margretta Wood
Using civilian men, women, and children as decoys, the Jap soldiers managed to entice a volunteer patrol forward into the open to collect additional civilian prisoners.
- Captain Frederic Stott, "Saipan Under Fire"
When Phil was about 30 yards away, the Japs opened fire. He was hit. Sgt. Ervin and a Corpsman ran over to him, and they were hit. First Sgt. [Arnold R.] Richardson tried to cover them with fire, and he was hit. All but two members of the patrol were casualties. Five died almost instantly. Phil, always first in combat, first in leadership, was also the first to die. Sgt. Ervin died alongside of him, as did First Sgt. Richardson.
- Captain Irving Schechter, letter to Margretta Wood
It was Sgt. Ervin who, when Phil lay fatally wounded in an exposed position, called out “Don’t worry, Phil, I’m coming for you!” And Ervin went down to be killed at Phil’s side by the same Jap gun.
- Captain Frederic Stott, letter to Margretta Wood
They dropped all twelve.
- George Smith
Before he died, Mrs. Wood, he said, “Say hello to my mother and Aunt for me.” I do wish that you would convey his last words to his Aunt.
- Captain Irving Schechter, letter to Margretta Wood
The much-loved Lt. Phil Wood died there, and beside him lay the body of his Sgt. Ervin, shot down making a vain attempt at rescue.- Captain Frederic Stott, 1/24, "Saipan Under Fire"
The division combat efficiency was about 75 percent, with troops approaching physical exhaustion.
- 4th Marine Division Report
This final day of our third week was also the first on which we established a clear lead in the "race" for Marpi Point. By nightfall we had a gap of a quarter of a mile between ourselves and the Army units to our left rear. This lead we widened steadily until the island's northern tip was reached, while reserve units were thrown into the spreading gap.
The first nocturnal activity in ten days took place that night a couple of hours after sundown. but the fire projected by all our normal small arms, supplemented by 37mm guns which were now coming up on the line as a nightly routine, took a toll of the attackers while still hundreds of yards away, and disuaded any further attempts at large scale infiltration. As with all night actions, mortar illumination shells and those from the ships off shore proved invaluable. Fear and dislike of the dark is natural, but at any critical moment we possessed the the requisite illumination to turn night into day. It must have been a deterrent and harmful to Jap morale on the attack, when any concentrated movement brought a deluge of brilliant light and a storm of bullets. It certainly was heartening to us.
- Captain Frederic Stott, 1/24, "Saipan Under Fire"
1st Lieutenant Philip Emerson "Eagle" Wood, Jr. New York, NY. Age 23. Gunshot wound, abdomen.
Technical Sergeant Arnold Ross Richardson. Salem, MA. Age 24. Gunshot wounds, chest.
Sergeant Arthur B. "Mumu" Ervin, Jr. McCurtain, OK. Age 22. Remains not recovered.
PFC Frank Roscoe Hester. Sallis, Mississippi. Age 19. Gunshot wound, back.
PFC Lawrence Elmer Knight. Parkin, AR. Age 21. Gunshot wound, head.
PFC Davis Vernon Kruse. Waterloo, IA. Age 25. Gunshot wound, head.
Wounded:
Platoon Sergeant Parker S. McBride (not evacuated)
Sergeant Maynard S. Worthington
PFC George D. Burch
PFC Robert L. Conway
PFC Lawrence Felix Pantlin
PFC John G. Rayley, Jr.
PFC Robert L. Williams (not evacuated)
PFC Douglas B. Footit
Private James C. Fields (not evacuated)
Sick:
Private Gustave J. Pappas
Total: 16
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