Admiral Van Orden mentioned problems of dispensing beer equitably four cans to each man. Outstanding in my memory were huge mounds of beer cans thousands of them and a bulldozer that was used to push them out into the sea. Made of iron in those days, they quickly disintegrated. Life is uncomplicated on Mog Mog today. The several hundred islanders live in open houses, surrounded by flowers.
Some dwellings have roofs of coconut fronds, others are of galvanized iron.
Tuba, a potent drink, is made from the living flowers. The men fish, the women prepare food and weave their beautiful striped skirts on primitive wooden looms. The youngsters go to school or are taught by their elders. Our guide was Linus Schomar, a good- looking young man of about 20. As we strolled along with him we could see occasional remnants from the war a hospital bed, unused beneath a coconut tree, metal powder canisters from 16-inch naval guns catching rainwater from a metal roof, a cowling from an airplane.