Again...

No serious updates at present. Work has hit that point where my free time is spent either a) complaining about work or b) searching for alternate work, and as a result, postings have suffered. This weekend I am going to the hardcore's Gettysburg reenactment, then next week hopefully getting back up to speed - it being a very important week for several of our Marines (and for some the last week they would ever spend).

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.

Screen Captures

Speaking of - I just wanted to throw this up here, partly because I've just figured out how to do this without making the computer angry, and party because it's a great moment.


Take a close look at the Marine at the lower center of the picture (click on the image to get the full effect). He's carrying a captured Japanese samurai sword. It's a little hard to distinguish in the picture, but in the video at least it looks like a really fine example of the Japanese officer's trademark weapon.

(since their stamp is in the corner, I should acknowledge that this DVD was put out by Traditions Military Videos, as will all future screen caps unless otherwise noted. However, this is technically official USMC footage, which means it is in the public domain. Your tax dollars at work!)