PACIFIC DIARY - M. D. HECKT, Part One

1500 - December 3, 1943 - 32nd Replacement Battalion boarded M. S. Weltevreden

December 4, 1943 - Departed 16:30

December 5, 1943 - Met 2nd Lt. Wolf, former Latin student at S.U.I.; also tossed cookies overboard.

December 6 - Seas calm; read Guadalcanal Diary - not sick.

December 7 - Celebrated 2-year anniversary - heard Smith, a S.O.B.'s newscast. Received candy and cigarettes. Finished G.C. Diary. pleasant day - short arm inspection.

December 8- Notice heat--sea is calm.

December 9 - Sun is really hot. Received freckling tan; played hearts.

December 11 - Had a Major's inspection - saw schools of flying fish.

December 12 - Sunday--attended church service 10:00; Sunday evening Major Bowe's show. Busby played fiddle--Imitation of Churchill and Roosevelt. Initiation of officers after crossing equator; all drenched; sang Christmas carols, White Christmas and Marine Corps Hymn--closed a wonderful day; and so go bed.

December 13 - Read short stories; worked crossword puzzles; took a compulsory bath; observed the beautiful blue pacific; learned 23rd Psalm.

December 14 - Had an inspiring chat on religion With Jim Arneberg of Chicago who is one of the finest, most religious persons I have ever met. A wonderful pal. Saw the Captain’s quarters and bridge - sun-burned--sleeping topside tonight.

December 15 - Stormy weather; almost tossed cookies; saw another home talent show--Frye, Drake and Etheridge sang "Chicken."

December 16 - Great news! Learned destination - New Caledonia -Also our Christmas dinner will be turkey, et cetera; received issued knives; had delicious veal stew. Slept topside under the stars.

December 18 - Crossed International Date Line and skipped one day. Just sighted an airplane; everyone wonders whether friendly or enemy--friendly - also sighted land, very vaguely, though. Frye, Cooper and I slept three in a bed.

December 19~ Sunday - and a possible Christmas for us; 10:00 attended church and discussion groups. Read pocket books, some of which came from Marshalltown Red Cross. 15:00 had Christmas dinner, turkey, peas, dressing, mince pie, celery, nuts, candy and smokes. Amateur Night - Dutch, Slim and Cora - Sgt. Major played spoons, et cetera. Sang Christmas carols - addressed by Major and Capt. of Navy and so to bed on deck.

December 20 - Secured belongings for probable departure tomorrow, Sighted small islands!!!- ate some of Cooper's figs. Hit the sack.

December 21 - Saw land about 10:00 - ate noon chow for first time; pilot boarded ship to steer us in. Compulsory bath and short arm. 1600 ship came to a standstill; 20:00 disembarked and were hauled off in trucks to camp. Arose at 6:00; ate chow -squared away gear; rifle inspection.

December 22 - January 21^st 1944

Joined 1st Raider Bn. Co. A 3rd Platoon

First or second night - some raiders fired machine guns down the middle of a company street and everyone dove for cover. The culprits were either drunks or trying to show us greenhorns how tough they were.

I learned the machine gun forward and backward. Received one or two bottles of beer per day. 1/2 hour morning exercise -good showers--damn nice camp - Learned Raiders were to be disbanded and all 4 Raider battalions were to become the 4th Marine Regiment, the same Regiment which was lost on Bataan and Corregidor.

January 21, 1944 - Boarded "Bloem Fontaine"

January 24 - Disembarked on shores of Guadalcanal - Saw Jake Broderick and Keith Bentley from home. Had many good bull sessions with both. They were soon to be going home after 2 years overseas.

January 24 - March 17, 1944

We built our own camp - roads - heads - striking of tents -building of mess hall, church and library, recreation hall, et cetera. We began training for an operation April 1st. Relearned

weapons--fired 1,000 rounds on targets in the field. I was in 2nd machine gun squad.

1. D. George was squad leader, Connell, gunner, I was assistant gunner; Napiwoski, 1st ammo carrier and McDonald, Jablonicky, Johnson, Etheridge and Halvorson. I came down with yellow jaundice. Received a lot of fruit juice. Cooper bought me a pipe and began smoking it. We then went on 2 day maneuvers. D. D. George went to the hospital with appendicitis; John Christein became Squad Leader. Connell came down with malaria and I became gunner. Seems like we are having tough luck in 2nd squad.

March 17, 1944 - Boarded U.S.S. Dickerson - A.P.A. left Saturday morn.

March 18, 1944 - At sea - Ship is crowded as I imagine Hell.

March 19, 1944 - Sunday - Discovered M.G. leaks. Navy welder attempts to fix. 8:30 before gun is ready for action. Worn out.

March 20 - Reville 2:45 A.M. - Chow 3:00 A.M. - Disembarked 5:30 A.M. "D" Day. Landed on Emirau - no opposition. Alligators brought us over coral. First native had elephantiasis - moo moo, or bulging balls. Patrols were sent out to Tasagina Village - no opposition. That night we dug M.G. emplacement and fox hole. Stood 2-hour gun watch.

March 21 - Reville in boon docks - Ate "C" rations, traveled all day; dug in that night. Stayed at C.P. with weapons Co. Had plenty of water.

March 22 - Hiked to our position; set up temporary emplacement.

March 23 - Really began work on pill box - dug out coral - still looking for good water.

March 24 -Hot as the Hubs of Hell! Ate jungle rations--raisins, powdered milk, peaches and apricots (dried) oatmeal, chocolate, coffee, sugar, candy and gum. Damn good--had a condition red--false alarm. Mosquitoes are thick.

March 25 - Army Medical Corps and Sea Bees are coming in - worked on emplacement; cut coconut logs; filled sandbags; heat rash coming out on most of the men.

March 26 - Sunday - no church - no chow - some bitching.

March 27 - Men went out searching for chow to "Gung Ho"--steal. Cooper and I went for our nightly walk.

March 28 - Rained - slept on homemade hammock - kept dry - coral caves are beautiful spectacles.

March 29 - D 9 - hot cakes for chow. Another condition red. I got the damnable wood poison on the neck. Cooper has the bubbling crud or fungus under the arm - more rain.

March 30 - Received our first mail - 6 letters - one happy fellow. I go to sick bay 2 times daily - wood poison on neck, penis, butt, stomach, arms, et cetera.

March 31 - Went to sick bay; tried to acquire jungle hammock - no luck. Sea Bees are really building their camp--roads, mess hall, showers, etc. 27th - 63rd - 88th and 61st are close by. Doc Morgan has malaria--looks bad. Sea Bees work 24 hours per day on air strip.

April 1, 1944 Tokyo Rose claims 4th Marines will hear the "Ducks", "pisscall Charley" within 2 or 3 days and will be without water and will die. She claims 4th Marines are gentlemen/ at home but highly paid killers and cut throats here. ·

April 2, 1944 Some of the boys built a raft and used dynamite and grenades for bait. U.S.S. Sub Sector 2.

April 3 Caught 35 lb. Sea Bass--traded it to Sea Bees for flour and pineapple.

April 4 Flapjacks and pineapple excellent. Received 5 in I ration. Went to 81 mm and borrowed Lazenby's camera. Hope to take damn good pictures.

April 5 Still going to sick bay. H. Nephews from Tipton, Iowa, a chief in Sea Bees--nice old fellow. He gave me a jungle hammock. It would be ideal for fishing trip.

April 6 Neck healing - Cooper, Marr, Jablonicky, Napiwoski and I took some damn good pictures. Hope they turn out. Tonight's menu meatballs and spaghetti.

April 7, Neck o.k. Stood 12 to 4 gun watch - ate delicious flapjacks. Cleaned gun--took shower at Sea Bees.

April 8 Built tow raft for firing M.G. Other section fired first and sunk it. Cleaned gun. Stood 8 to 12 watch with Cooper. Both of us were making plans for college after the war. Reminisced over fun and good old days. Went to sleep at 12. Had an airplane alarm, condition red and everyone was slightly urinated--slept peacefully rest of night.

April 9 - Easter Sunday. Arose at 7:00 A.M. - Started fire -made 22 hotcakes for Cooper, Nap, Marr, McDonald and me. Took shower at Sea Bees. Washed skivvies. Stood gun watch--ate dinner at Sea Bees--fried spam, gravy, peas, beets, 2 sweet rolls, peaches and lemon drink. The fishermen brought in 25 lbs. of fish--one looks like a green parrot.

April 10 Delicious flapjacks and french toast--weighed in at Sea Bees at 196 lbs. Shaved and combed hair for first time since landing on Emirau. Had rice pudding for supper. Have been planning my return to college and so to bed.

April 11 Prepare for departure. We have to pick up everything so U.S. Army can move in - gun emplacement caved in. Made up hammock, rolls - fixed packs - now 11:00 A.M. - waiting for Army to relieve us. Ate last chow with Sea Bees--meat loaf, potatoes, beans and tea. 16:40 - ate chow on Ship 18:00--liver, spuds, stew, soup and peaches. Jablonicky, Cooper and I slept topside. General Quarters sounded--enemy planes reported 10 miles off.

April 12 Arose at 8:00 A.M.--missed morning chow--ate boned chicken--played hearts--put in sack duty. Copeland, Cooper, Jablonicky and I slept on hatch under Higgins' boats. General Quarters again sounded--we didn't budge.

April 13 Awoke with blue Pacific winds gently blowing. The mornings and evenings are cool. Ate cereal and eggs. Read a February 7 "Newsweek" magazine and Marine "Gazette". Ate noon chow-beef--slept all afternoon. Took shower. Eve. chow--wieners & sauerkraut, tea and chocolate cake. Cooper and I take our nightly smoke and prepare for sack duty.

April 14 Prepared for disembarking. Put M.G. in Higgins' Boat and awaited final word--departed--hit canal at 11:35 A.M. Had a working party unloading Higgins' boats. Returned to camp. Found D.D. George and Connell; also lots of mail. Guadalcanal rains persist. Took a river shower and cleaned up in true fashion--wrote letters to Jean and folks. Time to secure my sack.

April 15 My beat up cot felt like an innerspring--had a wonderful sleep. Wrote letters and went to movie, "City of Conquest" and was paged over loudspeaker. Met Bill Bogan who is in 22nd Marines. We reminisced long after the show.

April 16 Bogan came over. We were called to a lecture by Col. Shapley. He told us we were to become 1st Brigade (4th and 22nd Marines) We must be ready by June 1st for another date with Tojo's Toughies. Received 4 bottles of Acme beer. Saw movie "Let's Face It"--Bob Hope. Hit sack.

April 17 Monday--reville 6:30 A.M. Ate chow and found letters on bed; one containing pictures of David and Merle Lawyer in snow fort. Turned in 45’s and wrote letters. This afternoon went to river to wash. Received one cold bottle of beer. After evening show, I found three letters on bunk; two from folks and one from the one and only. She received the corsage on Easter and was thrilled. Jablonicky seems to be getting malaria, chills, etc. Hope not--must brush teeth and go to bed. Tempus Est. 8:30 P.M.

April 20, Stood guard--12 to 4 watch--roving patrol--useless as hell.

April 21 I am now 20 years old and I don't feel a day over 40. Started the morning off right with a working party--had to deliver meat to all refrigeration plants. Ate apples, two of which were baked and from the officers I had delicious hot doughnuts. This afternoon I washed clothes with Jablonicky. I got a good sunburn and Joe had another chill. Received a package from home, candy, dictionary, newspapers. Saw "Gung Ho" tonight.

Enjoyed it very much even though sitting in the rain. Ate peanuts and pears. Preparations now begin for a sound sleep. Put up mosquito net, take off jacket, skivvies, trousers, socks, hang them up, crawl in, tuck in edges, blow out light--a beer bottle filled with kerosene and so to bed.

April 22 Sparks and Luckemeyer came over last night and we had some organized grabass. Both had guard duty and spent most of their time in my tent. We looked at pictures and hashed over the good old days. Wrote a letter home and sent negatives. Hope they arrive safely.

April 23 Sunday - Went to church. Borrowed a book "Abe Lincoln". Sparks, Cooper and I went to movie "Gentleman Jim".

April 24 Rise and shine with a working party--cleaning of heads. Took my raider boots which Jake gave me to be repaired. Received my 2 bottles of beer ration and a package from home. Popcorn, gum and magazines. Saw "Madam Curie"--a wonderful woman--a great picture and so to the sack.

April 25 Napped in during morning. Afternoon secured a football from the Chaplain. It was really a thrill to toss the pigskin around. Rained all night--slept damn well.

April 26 Arose before dawn. Today we begin our training schedule--lectures on scouting and patrolling--compass--field stripped M.G. Afternoon played football and basketball. Showered and drew light M.G. cleaned weapon and saw movie "Whistling In Brooklyn".

April 30 Sunday - Ate delicious pineapple fritters. Went to sick bay for treatment of wood poison. Attended church and sang old but famous "Jesus Loves Me", et cetera. This aft. read "Readers Digest" and played pinochle--wrote a letter to the said party of the first part and so to bed. The beat of the rain upon the canvass should prevent insomnia.

May 1 Went to sick bay for neck. That damnable poison just doesn't want to heal. Stayed in during morning and read "Readers Digest". This aft. went through tear and chlorine gas chamber. This is the 4th time. Had an ice cold beer and received 6 or 7 letters.

May 2 7:25 received a "K" ration and started out to the boon docks, swamp, brush and jungle. Wallowed in mud, ants, bugs, etc. Ate delicious "K" (I am a damn liar) and went out again till 1:30 A.M. came in and I took shower. Received tetanus shot and went to chow. 7 P.M. went on night hike in jungle--perspired profusely. 9 P.M. secured--talked mixed some powdered milk and went to bed.

May 3 Walked 5-1/2 miles to rifle range and fired 10 shots, after waiting around all day. Caught a ride back. Drew clothes! and shoes. Issue very scanty. Jablonicky and I went to hear 93rd Swing Band. Damn good-- jitterbugged, et cetera.

May 4 Walked 8 miles up and 8 miles back in new shoes. We hiked to hear 155 mm fire--damn nonsense! Everyone is overheated and has sore feet. Hiked back--C.O, wouldn’t let us secure water. Men thoroughly disgusted. Came back at 2 P.M. Ate damnable "C" rations. Men signed a petition for better chow. Went to river and lay there for an hour. Felt much better--blisters sore.

May 5 Fired light and heavy M.G. at tow target. Tried to write a letter, but couldn't get in the mood.

May 6 Had a General’s inspection and then a presentation of medals for bravery and wounds. Fired heavy M.G. this afternoon and secured at 2:45. Washed and returned to find I didn't catch guard duty--lucky.

May 7 Sunday - Washed clothes all morning. Ate good dinner--ham, beans, potatoes, ice cream and apple pie. Read and drank 2 bottles of Regal Beer. Started letter--couldn’t finish--not in the mood.

May 8 Had working party all day--distributed 24 bottles of beer in burlap bags.

May 9 Fired M.G. in the field and really enjoyed it. We were in so much mud and swamp that we threw mud balls at each other.

Most of the fellows could not understand Dad's and my urinating in sink. Saw "Stormy Weather."

May 10 Went in the field again--penetrated thru the thickest jungle I have yet seen. We ran across a real Jap bivouac area. Found Jap grenades, shells, gas masks and ammo still good after 2 years lying in rain and mud. Attended 5 P.M. vesper service; enjoyed it very much--wrote letters and hit my sack.

May 11 Went out in field with M.G.'s and "K" rations and dug in M.G. Secured at 2 P.M. and went on working party at 4 P.M. Unloaded 75 ammo and came in at I A.M.--tired and dirty.

May 12 Turned in heavy M.G. Aft. washed clothes and drew pay. Wrote letters. Day is done and all is secured.

May 13 Began packing for maneuvers. That evening I received a letter and wonderful picture from Jean. After chow I went to a tent up the street and had a drink of whiskey. I became drunk for the first time in my life. I felt damn good and began talking. I talked for 2 hours without stopping. I discussed home life, school, politics, religion, love, life, et cetera. John Christein was sitting next to my bunk and cried during my sermon. Then I became sick and heaved all over my mosquito netting and sack. Felt weak next morning and resolved never to drink whiskey straight again.

May 14 Sunday--Boarded U.S.S. Ormsby about 10:30 A.M. - Found our quarters--ate chow--played hearts--slept afternoon--Jablonicky, Courtney and I discussed future life after war. Joe and I slept topside.

May 15 Arose early. Maneuvers entirely fouled up--departed in Higgins boats--hit beach. Waited around 3/4 of day, then boarded LTV’s amphibious tractors. Rendezvous and then came in waves. Hiked back 5 miles. Showered--ate eve chow in dark and squared away gear.

May 16 Arose before sunrise. Rode in trucks to where LTV’s were encamped - waited around 3/4 of day and finally were transported on LST's. We slept topside on damn hard deck. Movies were provided. I was too tired to watch. Arose early--boarded LTV’s and made landing on beach. Penetrated thick jungle and brush and waited there most of day. Entirely fouled up best describes the maneuvers. Boarded LST and slept 2nd night on hard deck.

May 17 Made more fouled up landings.

May 18 Maneuvers in morning and afternoon--caught ride home--first dumped gas mask, pack and dirty clothes. Went to river, cleaned up, came back and noticed I lost my watch--couldn’t find it anywhere. Cleaned M. G. Went to show--Mickey Rooney.

May 19 Morning-washing clothes. Played pinochle in afternoon and dodged work parties, only because we were promised holiday routine and officers went back on their promise. Last night Luckemeyer and Sparks came down and we talked fairly long time. Both are same old pals--hit sack.

May 20 Arose early. After chow, Jablonicky, Cooper Marr, Courtney, Paskvalich, Halverson and I made a bee line for recreation hall and wrote letters all morning. This afternoon, played pinochle, went to river, showered and dodged work parties. Out of the battalion only 59 men were found--out of company, 9 Sgt’s., 8 Cpl’s. and 7 Pfc’s. were found in camp. Everyone else hit for the boondocks immediately. Wrote letters tonight. Received more pictures from home--letters dated May 11 or 13.

May 21 Arose early. Started on work party--secured--went to church. Had a trash run this afternoon--received 2 bottles of beer and 6 letters--a birthday card from J. She states a P.F.C. still holds preference. Wrote 3 letters to Minnich, Nickerson and Keane. Rod Frye is drunk and I have never laughed so hard in my life.

May 22 Played pinochle--cleaned M.G.'s spare parts--straightened sea bag. Afternoon--slept--went to river--received 4 beers--played pinochle all night and was real lucky.

May 23 Squared away gear for maneuvers tomorrow. Saw U.S.O. show--band--three girls--one danced--one sang and one gagged--not too bad. Saw "Sea Hawk."

May 24 Arose at 4 A.M. Ate chow in dark--boarded trucks and went to LVT camp--boarded LVT and then climbed net on LST. Played cards--traded one beer for box of candy--slept topside--Taggart, Napiwoski, Etheridge and I.

May 25 Departed 8 A.M. Lined up tractors and then started toward the beach in the 1st wave--naval gunfire went overhead--dive bombers lowered bombs--hit beach--ran up hill--went 1400 yds. inland thru jungle. Returned at 3 P.M. Boarded USS Ormsby--disembarked 8:30 P.M. and returned to camp--washed and hit sack.

May 26 This morning washed clothes. Received 2 letters and pictures of Mom and Dad and Dad and me. They were really nice.

May 27 Cleaned M.G.--straightened gear--had guard duty 8 to 2 A.M. Saw Ben Trickey while on post. Went to show.

May 28 Sunday--went to church--Pentecost Sunday--went to river. Received package from Klosterboer--bull session 8 P.M. to 1:30 A.M. Discussed trial of German leaders--Pan American Union--South America-- trade--evolution--Bible.

May 29 Wrote letter to Mom.

May 30 Boarded LST 447 at 3:15--carried I box of ammo--bedding roll--pack--carbine and tripod--found broken sack--fixed it and slept topside.

May 31 Arose early--washed in warm water for the first time in 6 weeks--ate chow--cleaned M.G.--rained slightly in aft. and poured all night and most of morning.

June 1 Woke at 4 A.M. drenched--blanket, mattress, gear--everything covered with aqua. Went below and slept on deck of laundry room. Ate chow--sausage, potatoes, breakfast food and coffee. After chow, Joe, Nap and I set out to make a new boudoir. We found a tarp and put it up. The Navy test fired 20 mm and 40 mm--fired very well. This aft. learned our destination is Guam--we will land at 7 A.M. on or about June 15 - June 18--studied maps part of aft. I am reading Ainsworth’s Novels Part IV. Our convoy is to equal that of Sicily--900 or more ships. LST's and LCI's dot the ocean for miles--Taggart, Etheridge and I talked till 10 P.M. and HIT THE SACK.

June 2 Arose 7 A.M.--ate chow--read the Upper Room followed by Ainsworth’s Novels. This aft. read Dr. Lavendar's People by Deland--brushed teeth and secured gear before dark.

June 3 Rained most of day--read magazines and books.

June 4 Sunday--cleaned M.G. Read Liberty and Upper Room.

June 5 Skies cleared for short time--more rain and more rain soon came. Read and at night discussed religious ideas of heaven--Is the bible absolutely flawless? How much can and are we suppose to believe? Very interesting--Napiwoski feels ill.

June 6 More wind and rain last night--Nap has been making regular trips to the rail for regurgitation’s--looks very sick. Pulled into Marshall Islands. They look very barren and shelled. Nap still sick.

June 7 Arose late. Cleaned M.G. and weapons. Watched the multitude of ships around us--every size and shape. After noon chow, I looked all over ship for Napiwoski but couldn't find him. He finally turned up--still sick. The chief of this garbage scow made us take down the tarp we had for protection against rain, so I am now on the tractor below deck. We heard news that the American Doggies invaded France. Hope this is true. Read Revelations and learned the dimensions of heaven and number to be admitted. At first I misunderstood but now understand it is a number greater than any man can number or count.

June 8 Cleaned weapons--played hearts--received 6 letters--I from Jean and 2 pictures, one from Dake, one from Delores and 2 from folks. Also received combat matches, cigarettes and milkyways.

June 9 Slept late--ate chow--went back to sleep--woke 10 A.M.--played hearts. At noon received 2 packages--film in one, sox, toilet articles, billfold, et cetera, in other. What a treat! Also received 4 letters this aft. Took refreshing fresh water shower.

June 10 Played hearts and read "See Here Private Hargrove".

June 11 Just awoke in time for chow--finished book and read "Life and Liberty".

June 12 Played 5 games of hearts--won 4--lucky. Had an inspection in aft.--met a lad from Spirit Lake named Thompson who knows Kuhlman my boot camp buddy--talked away most of the night with him about athletics--towns near Spirit Lake, et cetera.

Damn near broke my neck trying to climb over tractors in pitch dark to reach my sack.

June 13 Slept too late--missed chow--we may have another inspection today--M.G.’ s and personal gear--the tractor men are cleaning their tractors, weapons, etc. below deck and there is so