Guadalcanal

[Les Groshong]

With the great assistance of MOM, Len Skinner and I, Les Groshong. would like to discuss the first offensive action in the Pacific field of battle in the Pacific, from the point of view of two participants. Not much hard history, but mostly our personal experiences. We would appreciate any questions that any of you would care to ask. I'll ask the first question of Len.
Len, do have have the dates of your arrival on the Canal and when you left there? Les

[Les Groshong]

Chuck, I just opened a new topic on the Grunts forum, the subject being Guadalcanal. We need your participation. You were there first. I read this from the "164th Infantry News :
SIXTY FIVE YEARS Since Guadalcanal (2007)
"On 13 October 1942, a bunch of 'farm boys from North Dakota landed on the beach at Guadalcanal to become the first U.S.Army unit to offensively engage the enemy - in either theater - during World War two."
Chuck, Please tell us about that time there.

[MOM]

Les, while we are waiting on Len and Chuck to join you, I have a question. To set the time period for us before this battle, what were some of the things you recall about the time period between the attack on Pearl Harbor in December, and the beginning of this battle 10 months later in October. Where were you training during this time for the landing on the Canal, and what was going on around you? Did you have any idea of where you were about to be heading to?

[Les Groshong]

Dear Mom, On January 5, 1942, the Eighth Marine Regiment shipped out of San Diego headed for Samoa. I am sure that we were the very first organized combat unit to leave the United states after Pearl Harbor. On about the Nineteenth of January we arrived in Pago Pago. The night before a Japanese submarine had surfaced and fired some shells over the hills into the harbor, doing litte damage. We stayed there until about nine months later when we shipped out for Guadalcanal. I do not recall any reluctance to our going there.
Les

[Les Groshong]

Dear Mom, Our passage to Samoa was on three Matson steamships ( luxury liners), the Monterey, Matsonia and the Lurline. We sat in the lounge at small tables set up for four people and were served by waiters. Probably never before in the history of troop ships, etc, etc. etc..

[Les Groshong]

Dear Mom, You asked me about the time that the Eighth Marines spent prior to going to the Canal. I'll use the word Canal because it is both understood and shorter.
When the Eighth Marines landed at Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango)
both the island and the natives were totally unprepared for receiving a Marine Corps regiment. The Third battalion was positioned in a coconut grove. with no roads or even adequate paths for us to move around. We drank from Lister bags all the time that were there. Early on we buried a 50 gallon drum in the ground and threw a couple of slats across the top and had our first toilet. We soon found that the natives had a path very nearby, and seemed very unconcerned about what we were doing out in the open. They usually would give us a wave and often wished us well with a "Telofa Malini."
"Hello Marine." We learned to wave back. Later I was given the job of building a covered toilet and, without building experience, I built an eight hole toilet. It was so well done that many peopole came to learn how to build a similar eight holer. My only error was not to have made an urinal to go with it.
The food was nether very good, nor very bad. We had no mess hall and usually ate in the open air. Mosquitoes were the worst problem that we endured. We had mosquito nets over our cots, but had to avoid getting to near those nets, or getting bit.
One morning during roll call, the First Sergeant suddenly stopped calling off the names and started wiggling, then he let out a yell and quickly took off his pants. A centipede had bitten him in a tender area. We were still laughing at the next roll call.
As far as the Samoan women were concern, they had only contempt for us. I only heard of one sexual encounter and it was said the the woman was mentally handicapped. The girls liked to, on occaision, turn their backs to a Marine or two and then throw their skirts up in the air exposing their bare asses. It was said to ba a form of low contempt, but for the Marines it was as close to sex as they would get.
That pretty well sums up my thoughts about our times prior to going to the Canal. Any queations ? Les

[MOM]

Les,

I can not imagine how miserable that must have been. To go from San Diego to an island like that without running water or even the crudest of living conditions must have been hard on a lot of you. How old were you at this time?

[Les Groshong]

Dear Mom, I do not recall ever being miserable while in the Corps. I seem to recall many occaisions where I wished the circumstances were different or better, but never do I recall being miserable. I faintly remember that there was very little sympathy given to anyone, nor asked for either. I recall hearing over and over, "Nobody twisted your arm." Mabe being miserable would have been considered un Marine-like.
I would like to hear from others if they felt the same way that I did.

[wukong]

Les,
What did you know and what did you expect when your unit was ordered to embark for Guadalcanal?

[Les Groshong]

Hi Wukong, I do not recall any specific feelings about our going to the Canal. Logic might suggest that we would be very concerned and worried about our lives being put in danger, but I do not recall or believe that to be the case. I do recall the night before the Saipan landing feeling the gaul in my throat, but that is my only recollection of having much fear prior to going into battle. Even the Tarawa landing did not particularly worry me.
It is my belief now that there is a certain feeling of immortality that one experiences in those early battles that time erodes. Then again, maybe my memory has faded

[steelplateinmyhead]

Les, during and right after the landing during the push inland toward the airfield, what stands out in your mind the most as a significant event.

[soccermark23]

Les,

Going from North Dakota to the South Pacific must have been quite the climate change. How did that effect you? Did you guys do anything to prepare yourselves before you shipped out?

[Les Groshong]

Upon reflection, I am surprised how so few times did we, as individuals, get together with Marines from other units and shoot the bull. In fact on the Canal, that happened only once that I can recall, and that was the day that we landed. When, having fallen in, we started a march to our new site. On this march a Marine from some other unit fell in along side our marching column and was excited to tell us that the newly arrived soldiers had seen combat, and had done well. In fact he had referred to them as 'Little Marines'. There could have been no higher compliment. That was the Marines acceptance of the 164 Infantry regiment {U.S. Army) on the Canal.

[FrostBite]

Upon reflection, I am surprised how so few times did we, as individuals, get together with Marines from other units and shoot the bull. In fact on the Canal, that happened only once that I can recall, and that was the day that we landed. When, having fallen in, we started a march to our new site. On this march a Marine from some other unit fell in along side our marching column and was excited to tell us that the newly arrived soldiers had seen combat, and had done well. In fact he had referred to them as 'Little Marines'. There could have been no higher compliment. That was the Marines acceptance of the 164 Infantry regiment {U.S. Army) on the Canal.


Les, my name's Richard. I'm very much honored to make your aquaintence. I was just a few years after you in the Corps. I spent my combat time in Korea, but I knew a Marine by the name of Gene Gustad who landed and fought on Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester and Iwo Jima. Did you by chance know him?



Richard

[Les Groshong]

Upon reflection, I am surprised how so few times did we, as individuals, get together with Marines from other units and shoot the bull. In fact on the Canal, that happened only once that I can recall, and that was the day that we landed. When, having fallen in, we started a march to our new site. On this march a Marine from some other unit fell in along side our marching column and was excited to tell us that the newly arrived soldiers had seen combat, and had done well. In fact he had referred to them as 'Little Marines'. There could have been no higher compliment. That was the Marines acceptance of the 164 Infantry regiment {U.S. Army) on the Canal.

[Les Groshong]

Richard, I am sorry, but of the many thousands of Marines on the Canal, I probably could only recall a dozen or two by name and they all would have been in my outfit. There was very little socializing beyond your immediate Company, and even there, most of us only knew a few men with whom we worked. I lived in a tent with six other men for about ten months, and today I could only name three of them. I would probably recognize the names of the others. We lived with many, but related to but a few. Les

[Desert Sapper]

Glad to see you back up and running again, Les. Your Guadalcanal reflections are a highlight of this board.

What training did your unit do on Pago Pago before you departed for Guadal? Did you know anything about what you would be facing before you got there?

[03 Grunt 11]

Does the name Speedy Spach register? He attends/attended most all reunions from there

[Mood44]

Les, Semper Fi Brother! It is such a pleasure to have you on the board and relating your experiences. You have my undying respect for what you experienced and I hope that you continue to post your memories...this is wonderful.

[Les Groshong]

Les,

It’s strange when combat comes how quickly apprehension and fear disappear.

Speaking personally, I was raised with no Father figure and was passed back and forth in life. I was inquisitive and a bit bold, perhaps too much so.



We North Dakota kids were much alike. Times were poor and you couldn’t buy a job in l940. Even the lousy Army pay was more than most had seen all their lives. Every farm boy from Dakota had a gun at 12-14 years. I had a .22 when I was 8 years. We shot rabbits and pigeons, and all went into the eating pot. Deer were mighty hard to find.



To my knowledge, in combat we had no shirkers with the exception of some of the officers a bit up on the ladder. And of course our WPPA club; a top collection of boozers.



We did have some incompent officers who came into the 164th Regiment at it’s inception, and managed to bluff their way to fairly high positions. They never risked their lives but they got men killed.



All for now, it’s dinner time. Chuck.

[Les Groshong]

To One and All. In response to Desert Sapper about training in Samoa in preparation for going to the Canal, I recall nothing!.Zip! We had no room to even get any movement of troops, except to the ships that took us there. I am not even sure that the word 'Guadalcanal' was ever mentioned.
Steel Plate, You ask about the first outstanding early event on the Canal, and other than hearing that the 164th Infantry was doing a Marine-like fighting job, I recall nothing else that was outstanding. I think that I can say that it was a serious business and I recall almost NO emotions being felt or expressed.
Soccor Mark, You ask about our preparations for shipping out. My memory recalls only packing up and loading onto some trucks and delivery to the Pago harbor.
In response to these and other similar questions, as unikely as it may sound, we were well trained in the way of Marines, and followed our orders without thought, questions, opinions or emotions. We just followed orders. I do not even recall thinking about what was ahead for us. We did not know, nor were we too concerned.
At least that is my honest opinion TODAY. I have no reason to think that it was different back then. Les

[Les Groshong]

At one point. early in my outfits presence on the Canal, the orders were given that we would no longer treat our officers as officers, but rather just as fellow Marines. No obvious identifications were to be worn. Our communications officer became 'John', intead of Lieutenant John Kobela. and all of us were put on a first name basis. It was believed that the Japanese soldiers were targeting officers. How high up in the ranks that this order was extended, I do not know, and for most of us, we never had any contact beyond our Battalion.
Later on when battle conditions were stabalized, that order was rescinded. I remember not being comfortable calling an officer by his first name, but had little opportunity or necessity to do so.

[steelplateinmyhead]

Do you remember the night time sea battle of Aug the 9th off the coast shortly after the landings?

[Les Groshong]

Steelplate, Yes I remember watching that sea battle from the top of a hill behind the airport. It was in the middle of the night and all that I could see were flashes of guns firing, explosions, and the red shells on their way. I had no idea who was whom. Many explotions could be heard
Early the next morning I saw a large Naval vessal being towed, but due to a jammed rudder it was going in circles. This was not far off of our shores. That turned out to be the Cruiser U.S.S. San Francisco. Later we learned that a Japanese shell had hit it's bridge, killing three Admirals. The bridge from that ship is now mounted at a memorial in the entrance to the Golden Gate.
There were perhaps six small craft circling the seas obviously searching for survivors. Flotsom was widely spread.
About an hour later a destroyer came on the scene traveling at a very high speed. It soon opened fire on a ship, seemingly still in the water offshore from an island that I assume was Suva. There was no return fire.
I have read that that sea battle was the only major naval engagement ever seen from the shore. Les

[steelplateinmyhead]

How long after the landings did it take for air operations to start on the captured air field, which was later named Henderson Field.

Was air support of Marines on the ground at that stage
significant or did they mainly rely on field artillery?

[Les Groshong]

Steelplate, You are asking the wrong man for that information. I did not arrive on the Canal until much later. I have read that the troops landed on August 7, and arrived at the airfield on the 9th , two days later. It was about a week after that that the first planes arrived. Some opposition occurred a few months later when Japanese artillery shelled the airfield. Also, the airfield became a favorite target of the frequent Japanese naval shellings, which was severe enough that many Marines stopped going to the hospital which was nearby the airfield. Les

[steelplateinmyhead]

Thank you Les.

I understand.

[Les Groshong]

For about three weeks or a little more, the Third Batallion, Eighth Marines were positioned on the top of some bare mountains - maybe high hills would better describe our positions, behind the airport. Below us, away from the airport, there was a deep wooded gully. where some of the line troops were deployed, and further away were more bare topped hills We had no reason to believe that the Japanese army was anywhere near.
Shortly after our arrival, the mortar (81mm) unit decided to test some potential targets and fired a smoke shell on the distant hilltop. A big puff of white smoke went up, followed by three or four Japanese soldiers, that I at least , did not know that they were there, getting up and running over to the other side of the hill.
A little surprise, but nothing else. A day or two later the word was passed that Tokyo Rose had accused the American soldiers of using poison gas. Upon reflection, that seemed a logical conclusion. How would they have known otherwise? Such are the ways that the truth gets distorted on the battlefield. Les

[MOM]

This is an e-mail Les asked me to post, from his friend Chuck Walker who was an officer with the 164 th Infantry Regiment on Guadalcanal.



On Guadal I had an unfortunate experience with a rifle company captain I was attached to. He was a coward and ordered me to close the gap around the Japs. ( My Company H platoon with four machine guns.) Well we did the job and he was very nearly court martialed for that action. Sad to say, he was an original political officer of the original company.

When leaving Bougainville he became the battalion commander. He knew nothing about fighting and when on Leyte we had quite an argument about a useless patrol he insisted on. The patrol netted one of me officers with a knee gone and the platoon sergeant killed.

Later, on Cebu he was forced to join me in combat by the regimental CO. He failed to set up the weapons company, and failed to use the 81 mortars. He was deathly afraid of them He said we might drop them on Company G during the fighting.

Well the Japs mortared us heavily and we had losses that were unnecessary. We knew who was directing their fire and our 81’s could have taken them out. During the mortar attack I lost 6 men and the company adjoining me lost their captain, John Landeck, plus many others. This man who worked his way up to Bn CO knew nothing about combat and didn’t want to learn.

When this action was over I was senior officer of the battalion under him. To spite me, he picked a man who had made 2nd Lt. in New Caledonia at the temporary school there. The regimental CO found out about the situation and ordered me to report to the Colonel as his new Ex Officer. Boy! Was that Colonel ever pissed!

My question: How does a joker like this manage to bluff his way up the ladder when he obviously is incompetent? Of course I know God made little green apples.


Chuck Walker

[steelplateinmyhead]

Les, after the night sea battle that you witnessed, the Navy hauled anchor and left the area, leaving the Marines to fin for themselves.

Was the average Marine in the field even aware of what had happened?

Were there any shortages in ammo or rations because of it?

[Les Groshong]

steelplate, You ask, "Les, after the night sea battle that you witnessed, the Navy hauled anchor and left the area, leaving the Marines to fin for themselves."
The Navy hauled anchor almost every night to the best of my memory. I have no idea why they were there the night the the San Francisco was shot up. As things turned out, being there was not a good idea. I do not think that the Marines, in general, knew or even cared where out navy was. Our security basically depended on ourselves. As for supplies, the daylight hours when our Air Force usually ruled the skies, provided time for our needed supplies to be landed. I am sure that there were exceptions, but we on the ground usually only cared for ourselves and our situation. And we had almost no knowlege of the bigger picture. Nor do I recall worrying about it.
I recall no negative feelings about our Navy. Nor our Air Force. Of course, other than the usual bitching about everything.

[steelplateinmyhead]

Some things are constant down thru the ages.

If we ain't bitch'en, we ain't breath'en. ;)

[Les Groshong]

Steelplate, et al.
You asked about the concerns that the Marines had about their navy, coming and going. I was a radioman and I can tell you without equivitation, the Marines in my Battalion NEVER knew anything that was going on except by rumor. I could listen to the World news, but never anything directly associated with the troops on the line, nor the USA ships at sea. Perhaps some of rear echelon people had better souces, but I doubt it. It would have been contrary to the best interests of the American war efforts to disclose almost any facts about the war effort in the region.
As for shortages, I suppose the quartermaster always wanted more of everything, but for for most of us, food, and ammunition were our primary concerns and I recall no severe shortages of either. Les

[Les Groshong]

Speaking only for my Battalion, it is my belief that we suffered more casualties from Malaria than we did from combat. Every single man came down with that debilitating disease except one, who got yellow jauntice. Some didn't get the symptoms until we reached New Zealand, and only a few were hospitalized. None in my Company died to my knowledge, but many Marines did die
Atabrine was given to us as a preventive medicine. We lined up each morning and an officer watched us put those pills in our mouths. Earlier, too many pills were seen on the ground. I have forgotten why so many resisted taking those pills.
Here is a published report on that drug.
"A synthetic drug invented by a German researcher before the war was distributed to American troops stationed on the South Pacific islands. This drug was sold under the name of Atabrine. Complaints against the yellow pills became common. Atabrine was bitter, appeared to impart its own sickly hue to the skin. Some of its side effects were headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and in a few cases it produced a temporary psychosis.
Yet Atabrine was effective, if only the men could be made to take it. A great part of the problem was that the proper dosage had not yet been worked out. In an effort to ensure that the Atabrine was actually swallowed by the soldiers, medics or NCOs from the combat units stood at the head of mess lines to carefully watch marines and soldiers take their little yellow tablets. "
For most of us, when we got a fever and started shaking, we would just go to bed, keep covered, and await for the fever to break. That was about it. We didn't even bother to report being sick, nor ask for a Corpsman. We knew the routine and everyone accepted our behavior.
Les

[MOM]

This is a link to some of Les's pictures from Guadalcanal:

http://www.ww2gyrene.org/photoalbum_3.htm

[Les Groshong]

With the passage of time, the American forces slowly built up their reserves of both men and ammunition, while the Japanese forces, with very dwindling men and materials, were forced to slowly withdraw and to limit the use of their firepower. It reached a point where if any Japanese soldier would fire a shot at the Marines, all hell would break loose upon enemy positions, with artillery, mortars, plus every frontline rifleman opening up on anything that moved, and even many things that did not move. At this point in the battle a Marine could stand up on the front lines and feel relatively safe.
After a short readjustment of the front line positions, I went forward to see what was going on. In looking down into a destroyed bunker, I saw an expanse of a skin-like material and it seemed to be moving. I called attention to it and my thought were confirmed. It was a live Japanese soldier. After an exchange of opinions as to what course to take. it was decide to dig that wounded Japanese soldier out. I later saw him being interrogated.
Shortly, thereafter I found an unopened Japanese backpack that provided me with a worn, soiled Japanese flag. Many years later I sent it back to Japan hoping that the family of the owner would be found. Results unknown at this time.

[MOM]

Here is a link to the full story of that from Les. It's a very interesting read:
http://www.tarawaontheweb.org/groshongflag.htm

This is a picture of the actual flag back in Japanese hands after Les returned it:

http://www.tarawaontheweb.org/flag1.jpg

[MOM]

This is a picture of Les's radio group on the Canal.
Les is standing on the back row - last on the far right.

http://www.tarawaontheweb.org/3-HQ-8.jpg

Front Row: John April, Kenneth J. Connor, Ralph Sharkey, James L. Bennett (KIA Saipan);

Back Row: George Kern (KIA Tarawa), Carl "Pop" Schroeder, T.C. Smith (WIA Saipan),
Donald Pettibone, Les Groshong (WIA Saipan)

That picture is from another site where Les was interviewed about his memories from
WW II. This is the link, and there is a lot of good reading there from Les too:
http://www.tarawaontheweb.org/groshong.htm


That site also has this picture of Les after he received a Purple Heart on Saipan:

http://www.tarawaontheweb.org/lesuniform.jpg

[pouge tanker]

my great uncle fought on Siapan and tinanan (sp??) he is dead now so I have no clue what unit he was with...

dont think he made the 'canal...

[Les Groshong]

It has been suggested that I open another forum topic on the Tarawa battle. Since much of what I have had to say on that subject has already been posted on the Guadalcanal forum. Id be glad to try to answer any questions about those three days here, at this time. Unlike the Canal story, Tarawa only lasted three days, and for me at least, until that battle was declared secured, I only moved a few yards one way, and the same distance another way. All of it very near that landing craft that Major Crowe stood behind. In a way, a front row hole. Les

[MOM]

Les, I remember you telling a story about being pinned down underneath a peer - wasn't that on Tarawa? Tell us about that.

By the way Les, I saw that Len Skinner was on here today. He left you a message, but posted it on his own profile page. I think he may have meant to put it here in this thread instead. Here's the link to it, so you can read his message to you: http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/board/member.php?u=942

[Les Groshong]

Mom, Your question, "Les, I remember you telling a story about being pinned down underneath a peer - wasn't that on Tarawa? Tell us about that. "
Mom, The only pier story that I have ever told was at Tarawa, but I was never pinned down there. Of coarse I wasn't standing up on the top of that pier either. I waded in, and stopped along the way to try sending a message dictated by an officer. There were a half dozen Marines using that gap under the pier for rest and security. When someone spotted two Japanese soldiers hiding under that pier, I quickly decided to finish my trip to the shore.
Had the Marines that got shot up the following morning used the same approach to coming ashore, instead of wading in in open water. many lives would have been saved.
Did this sound like part of the story that you were referring to ? Les

[steelplateinmyhead]

Les did you carry the M-1 Garand or the M-1 Carbine?

[Les Groshong]

Steelplate, In answer to your question about the weapons that radiomen carried, I remember a Springfield, early in the war. Then a Carbine on the Canal. Most of us would have prefered a 45 pistol and a few men managed to get by with that weapon. When I drove a Jeep off the landing craft on the Saipan landing, I would guess that I had a carbine, but not sure that I ever had it in my hands. Carrying a radio reduced one's thinking about any offensive action. I am quite sure that I never fired a weapon at an enemy target. All of my test firing was at the tops of coconut trees. Les

[EClark]

Les you did what you were trained to take care of the radio and make sure it worked I never killed anybody either but we did deliver a lot of stuff that would when in the right hands

[Len]

With the great assistance of MOM, Len Skinner and I, Les Groshong. would like to discuss the first offensive action in the Pacific field of battle in the Pacific, from the point of view of two participants. Not much hard history, but mostly our personal experiences. We would appreciate any questions that any of you would care to ask. I'll ask the first question of Len.
Len, do have have the dates of your arrival on the Canal and when you left there? Les

Hi Les - I arrived at Guadalcanal on D-Day, August 7, 1942 and remained in the southern Solomon area untill January 31, 1943. In the beginning most of the heavy fighting was on the islands of Gavutu, Tanambogo and Tulagi, the capitol. Fortunately, these smaller islands were secured in a few days, while the Gudalcanal campaign stretched on for 6 months. For additional information on my personal experiences, a person should refer to my story, which I have titled "One Man's View". I wrote this story just for my family, but our son put it on the web and it may be viewed there by clicking on <http://www.peak.org/~skinncr/oneman/onemansview.html> A number of photos are also included.

[steelplateinmyhead]

I'll have to look at it when I get home tonight, the firewall here at work won't allow me to see it, for some reason.

[Les Groshong]

I have enjoyed hearing from each of you and hope that we can exchange messages from time to time, about this and that. My mind is no longer up to the challenges of modern communication, especially when technical know hows are needed. Your patience with me will be required. It is only recently that I have found a way to get on Grunts directly. I wish all of you the best of everything. Les

[MOM]

Les asked me to post this story for his friend and fellow WWII Marine Chuck Walker.
First look at this story about Sir Jacob Vouza:

Described as one of the bravest men, it was said that Sir Jacob Vouza helped the Americans gain victory over the Japanese during the battle in Guadalcanal.

Born in Papagu Village in Koli, West of Guadalcanal Province in the 1900's, Vouza served with the Solomon Islands Protectorate Armed Constabulary in 1916, and retired at the rank of Sergeant Major in 1941.

Vouza volunteered to become a scout for the Americans after he rescued an American Pilot shot down by the Japanese.

On one of his missions to locate enemy camps, he was captured by Colonel Ichiki Kiyonao and his men. After discovering an American Flag Vouza was carrying, he was tortured to reveal information following the American hide outs from which he received brutal wounds to his leg, chest and face.

Despite being tortured severely, the Japanese could not get information from him, so they left him in the jungle to die.

Sir Jacob Vouza then chewed through the vines he was tied with and stumbled through mountainous terrains to reach the American camp, from where he received medical treatment and had enough strength to utter the plans of the Japanese.

The victorious 'Battle of Tenaru' by the Americans was said to have been the result of information given by Sir Vouza.

http://www.solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwid=2643 (http://www.solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwid=2643)


And then here is the story from Chuck about his encounter with Sir Vouza:

Les, I mentioned in my first book that I met Jacob Vouza during the winter of ’42 or 43. My old Company H was posted just above Koki Point. A native came to me saying they had a man who was very sick; could I help them? It was about a half mile further north and there were a total of three men. One was under a palm leaf shelter and the others fussed over him. At any rate the sick man pulled a piece of paper from somewhere. It was a long clipping from a Frisco newspaper telling his story. It was then I realized this was Jacob Vousa. ( I had heard of him before this.)

I had a bottle of quinine pills and don’t know how he kept them, but I gave him half and held up two fingers. He had a smile, then held up 5 fingers.

Much later, when the 164 was about to leave Guadal, someone informed me that three men wanted to see me. It was Jacob with his two buddies to shake my hand. How he found out my outfit beats all, also my name. His courtesy to take the trouble to thank me impressed my future years of living.

[Editor 164 Infantry News]

Great to see you back on line! Please contact me at the email address below. I would like to send you some back issues of The 164th Infantry News

[Editor 164 Infantry News]

to MOM
Thanks for helping Les post the story of Sir Jacob Vousza. Just one little (well, BIG) correction: Chuck Walker wasn't a Marine; he was a Platoon Leader, then Company Commander with the 164th Infanty Regiment, Americal Division (US Army).

The 164th Infantry was mobilized from the North Dakota Army National Guard and served over 650 days in combat from Guadalcanal (1942) to the Occupation of Japan (1945). The Regiment was instrumental in reinforcing the Marine battle line during the 2nd Battle for Henderson Field on 24-25 Oct 42.

[MOM]

Oh thanks for correcting me on that.
I thought Les had told me he was a fellow Marine.

[Les Groshong]

MOM, While I do have a failing memory of many things, never have I mistated that Chuck Waklker was a Marine. I have stated on many occasions that the 164 th Army Infantry was referred to as 'Little Marines' because of their supurb fighting abilities, and this may have been misunderstood. No harm done from my point of view. Les Groshong

[MOM]

Les, I've always told you that your memory is in far better shape right now than mine ever was :D
I apologize again for that mix up. I think I was confusing Chuck Walker with Leonard Skinner.
It was Mr. Skinner that was the other Marine. http://members.peak.org/~skinncr/oneman/onemansview.html