Today (June 15, 2002)is the 58th anniversary of the assault landing by United States Armed Forces on the Japanese held Island of Saipan, Mariana Islands. Happy Anniversary to the survivors yet living, who came ashore on the morning of 15 June 1944. And remember in your prayers our many comrades in arms who gave their lives in that historic event, their families and those who have since passed on to be with the Lord and their families.

I have written about my experiences previously but a new source of information has recently come to light. It is my copy of the 4th Marine Division Landing Information Sheet that we were each given a week or so before D-Day to be studied, memorized. In bold large lettering across the top reads as follows. "Restricted Not to be taken ashore on D-Day" It reads as follows:

Instructions:
a. One copy of this sheet will be issued to each individual of this command. Individuals to whom issued will record the data indicated by questions hereon, under immediate supervision of squad and platoon leaders.
b. Officers in command of troops will be responsible for issue of this sheet and preparation of information for the men under their command.

1. Name of officer(s) or NCO(s) under whom my detail will operate?

Charlie, Cornhusker, Leonard, Utley, Quick

(i.e. Fred C. Eberhardt, Captain, CO; Garfield M. Randall, Lt.. 1st Platoon Leader; Cleveland W. Leonard, Platoon Sergt.; Samuel David Utley, Sgt, Squad Leader; Merrill C. Quick, Cpl. Fire Group Leader)

2. If leaders become casualties, who takes charge? Next in line.

3. Where and when am I to report to my NCO or Officer? If separated from unit report to assembly area.

4. What equipment (other than individual equipment) am I responsible for taking ashore? None

5. My detail's debarkation station and time to be there?
Net No. ? Port or starboard? Time?
As directed

6. My assigned (boat) (LVT) number? Boat 1-3, LVT 1-7

7. Do I transfer to another landing craft enroute to the beach? If so, what type? From Callaway APA 35 to LCVP 1-3 to LSD 2 to LVT 1-7

8. What wave am I in ? 1st wave

9. What time does my wave hit the beach ? On call

10. Direction (azimuth) of movement from (Transport/ Transfer) area to line of departure? Not known
Direction (azimuth) from line of departure to beach ? West to East

11. At what point does my detail land on beach (mark on sketch) Blue One

12. What is initial objective zone of action, assembly area, or destination for my unit ashore (mark on sketch)? Objective Hill 407 extreme SE of landing zone. Assembly area in green grove West of Lake and South of canal.

13. What unit is to be on my right? In assembly area, A Company. On O1 line E Company 2nd Bn

14 . What unit is to be on my left ? "C" Company 3rd platoon

15. What reports do I have to make, when and to whom ? Depends on circumstance

16. If separated from my unit, what do I do ? From beach to assembly area, join the next outfit.

17. What security conditions will exist at night ? All around security plus OPs.

18. Other remarks pe rtinent to my detail ? No comment

As those who were there know, the landing didn't follow the plan we expected, due to the incoming artillery; we never secured a position on the O1 line on D-Day. It eventually was ours on the morning of 17 June 1944. Our Amphtrac successfully penetrated to the edge of the swamp near Lake Susupe, without receiving a direct hit from devastating artillery fire. We disembarked and briefly defended our amphtrac just in case it would be needed. Finding our amphtrac to be the only one that made it into the lake area, we abandoned it and began our withdrawal toward our assembly area. Locating Charlie Company West of Charan Kanoa we reported in formed a perimeter security at that location and dug in to defend the property we had claimed, even though our position was anything but secure. Artillery continued to rain down all around our position, the beach and incoming landing craft. As to which units were on our right and left in the assembly area during the evening of D-Day I have no idea. As to securing our objective, we were never close to Hill 407. But Thanks to God and to all who made our landing possible. In the end with severe losses we did persevere. Happy Anniversary Marines.
Semper Fi Orvel