Comments on: Peleliu: A Second-Generation Perspective http://www.historynet.com/peleliu-a-second-generation-perspective.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 22 May 2013 17:59:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: toby hoy http://www.historynet.com/peleliu-a-second-generation-perspective.htm#comment-817666 toby hoy Sun, 09 Sep 2012 03:07:03 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682251#comment-817666 my uncle served with F company 2nd Battalion 1st Marine in Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. He was wounded 4May45. His name is Crp. George Albert Stephens from Des Moines Iowa. looking for info about F-2-1 in these battles my uncle served with F company 2nd Battalion 1st Marine in Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. He was wounded 4May45. His name is Crp. George Albert Stephens from Des Moines Iowa. looking for info about F-2-1 in these battles

]]> By: Gary Labita http://www.historynet.com/peleliu-a-second-generation-perspective.htm#comment-789013 Gary Labita Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:27:53 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682251#comment-789013 A long time friend of mine's father, Dan Slott, was a BAR man in EB Sledge's company on Cape Glouscter and then on Pelileui. His life was terribly affected by what he witnessed there. His daughter (my friend) and his son never understood Dan until they read the book. I remember her in tears many evenings as she read through it. Dan once told me he could never discuss it with the family, "what can I tell 'em. about sitting in a hole with our own dead trying to eat or sleep, they wouldn't understand". He told me the best thing that ever happened to him was having his knee shattered on D+ 15. True heros. A long time friend of mine's father, Dan Slott, was a BAR man in EB Sledge's company on Cape Glouscter and then on Pelileui. His life was terribly affected by what he witnessed there. His daughter (my friend) and his son never understood Dan until they read the book. I remember her in tears many evenings as she read through it. Dan once told me he could never discuss it with the family, "what can I tell 'em. about sitting in a hole with our own dead trying to eat or sleep, they wouldn't understand". He told me the best thing that ever happened to him was having his knee shattered on D+ 15. True heros.

]]> By: Frank Crisafulli http://www.historynet.com/peleliu-a-second-generation-perspective.htm#comment-572612 Frank Crisafulli Wed, 25 May 2011 12:26:31 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682251#comment-572612 Marine Mace, Thank you for your service. I am looking for info on my uncle(see request above). Do you have any information on HQ &S company's locations or when they came ashore. Any info or how to find information would be appreciated. Thank you, Frank Crisafulli Marine Mace,
Thank you for your service. I am looking for info on my uncle(see request above). Do you have any information on HQ &S company's locations or when they came ashore. Any info or how to find information would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Frank Crisafulli

]]> By: Sterling Mace http://www.historynet.com/peleliu-a-second-generation-perspective.htm#comment-572099 Sterling Mace Wed, 25 May 2011 04:08:29 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682251#comment-572099 D. H. We did not take the airfield at night because we would not have been able to see what was ahead of us. At that time in the landing I believe it dawned on the brass that our intelligence was faulty. We had reached the edge of the airstrip, and I'm sure it was felt that a defensive position was best, given the time of day we had our lines set up. But keep in mind, our lines were only spotty and it took all night for men to get back to their platoons and squads. We even had some boys from the 7th Marines who spent the night with us. So, in order to take the airfield at night, not only could we have been walking into conceled Japanese postions, without even knowing it, but also, after crossing the airfield, we would have basically not had any cover to speak of. At least on the seaward side of the airfield we had mangrove to our backs, as cover. The idea of the 2nd day on Peleliu was to secure the airfield, then to keep pushing. This could not be done at night. Keep in mind, as well, that elements of the 1st Marines on our far left flank were still hung up close to the beach, having not penetrated as much as the rest of us. Therefore, our stay overnight gave us rest, as well as the time the 1st Marines needed to sure up the left flank....or there was not telling what the Japanese would have done. Regards, Sterling Mace K/3/5, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Squad, 3rd Fire Team, USMC, 1942-1945 D. H.

We did not take the airfield at night because we would not have been able to see what was ahead of us. At that time in the landing I believe it dawned on the brass that our intelligence was faulty.

We had reached the edge of the airstrip, and I'm sure it was felt that a defensive position was best, given the time of day we had our lines set up. But keep in mind, our lines were only spotty and it took all night for men to get back to their platoons and squads. We even had some boys from the 7th Marines who spent the night with us.

So, in order to take the airfield at night, not only could we have been walking into conceled Japanese postions, without even knowing it, but also, after crossing the airfield, we would have basically not had any cover to speak of. At least on the seaward side of the airfield we had mangrove to our backs, as cover.

The idea of the 2nd day on Peleliu was to secure the airfield, then to keep pushing. This could not be done at night. Keep in mind, as well, that elements of the 1st Marines on our far left flank were still hung up close to the beach, having not penetrated as much as the rest of us. Therefore, our stay overnight gave us rest, as well as the time the 1st Marines needed to sure up the left flank….or there was not telling what the Japanese would have done.

Regards,
Sterling Mace K/3/5, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Squad, 3rd Fire Team, USMC, 1942-1945

]]> By: D.H. http://www.historynet.com/peleliu-a-second-generation-perspective.htm#comment-442045 D.H. Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:38:51 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682251#comment-442045 I'd like to thank the author for sharing some of his father's story. I'm currently in the middle of Eugene Sledge's excellent book (With the Old Breed) and I've got a question that I hope the author (or someone with a knowledge of military training/ history) can answer for me: Why was the air field on Peleliu taken in broad daylight? (As I understand it, the Marines were forced to take the air field in full view of Japanese artillery and mortar crews, over 'open ground' that left the Marines without any cover or shelter - an experience that Eugene Sledge found more terrifying than any of the many terrifying experiences he faced on Peleliu and Okinawa.) I have no military training, so I am left to wonder why the Marines were not ordered to take the airfield at night. Even with 'star shells', wouldn't darkness have given the Marines at least SOME small measure of cover as they crossed the air field and, thereby, saved lives??? Thank you, in advance. I'd like to thank the author for sharing some of his father's story.

I'm currently in the middle of Eugene Sledge's excellent book (With the Old Breed) and I've got a question that I hope the author (or someone with a knowledge of military training/ history) can answer for me:

Why was the air field on Peleliu taken in broad daylight?

(As I understand it, the Marines were forced to take the air field in full view of Japanese artillery and mortar crews, over 'open ground' that left the Marines without any cover or shelter – an experience that Eugene Sledge found more terrifying than any of the many terrifying experiences he faced on Peleliu and Okinawa.)

I have no military training, so I am left to wonder why the Marines were not ordered to take the airfield at night.

Even with 'star shells', wouldn't darkness have given the Marines at least SOME small measure of cover as they crossed the air field and, thereby, saved lives???

Thank you, in advance.

]]> By: Frank Crisafulli http://www.historynet.com/peleliu-a-second-generation-perspective.htm#comment-415812 Frank Crisafulli Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:43:20 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682251#comment-415812 I just responded to “Peleliu: A Second-Generation Perspective" but I did not check off the notify me box at the bottom so I am doing it now. I would like to hear from anybody that has any information on my uncle Cpl. Patrick F. Crisafulli (H&S 1/3/5). He was from Roxbury Massachusetts.Any information on the invasion of Peleliu would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Frank Crisafulli I just responded to “Peleliu: A Second-Generation Perspective" but I did not check off the notify me box at the bottom so I am doing it now.
I would like to hear from anybody that has any information on my uncle Cpl. Patrick F. Crisafulli (H&S 1/3/5). He was from Roxbury Massachusetts.Any information on the invasion of Peleliu would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Frank Crisafulli

]]> By: Frank Crisafulli http://www.historynet.com/peleliu-a-second-generation-perspective.htm#comment-415801 Frank Crisafulli Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:18:26 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682251#comment-415801 I have just read your article. My uncle Cpl Patrick F. Crisafulli #807787 was with the 1st div, 3rd bat, 5th reg. He was wounded, I think on Sept 20, transfered to the USS Ormsby where he died and was buried at sea. He was in H&S company. Do you have any sources on where I can find info on what plattoon he was in and where the 3/5 moved across the island and who were the officers etc. Thank you, Frank Crisafulli I have just read your article. My uncle Cpl Patrick F. Crisafulli #807787 was with the 1st div, 3rd bat, 5th reg. He was wounded, I think on Sept 20, transfered to the USS Ormsby where he died and was buried at sea. He was in H&S company. Do you have any sources on where I can find info on what plattoon he was in and where the 3/5 moved across the island and who were the officers etc.
Thank you,
Frank Crisafulli

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