The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-03-25
Infantry
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given their first mission OF pa
trolling several thousand yards in
the front OF the main lines. Three
patrols operated and one Pfc. Wad-
ing through a small creek, gave
warning OF the presence OF the en-
envy before he was cut down with
automatic rifle fire. This action
s.ved the patrol which was pinned
to tie ground by heavy concenTa-
tons OF enemy fire. The Japs were
three hundred yards away when
spotted. and were armed with auto
matic weapons.
Despite the newness OF jungle
| fighting, and tWenty-threc months
OF inactivity in the South Pacific,
our troops dug in like veterans and
hung tenaciously 10 their plot OF
ground as artillery. mortar, and
rifle fire clouded the inky nights
with blood-curdling bursts Of hell
and destruction.
Volunteer Despite Danger
Despite the fact that the patrol
ling mission meant the penetration
Of possible enemy positions, not a
single soldier hesitated -and-the
group set out In the early morning
fully armed and fully expecting to
meet the enemy. The men left be-
hind stood in small circles watch
! ing their departing comrades, who
marched off as il going to the cor
ner drug store.
The first two men returned on
schedule at $3.50 pm. At $50 the
following message was received
from the last patrol: Receiving
enemy fire, have lost one man,
send help" and then gave their
approximate position, which was
many hundreds OF yards in front
of our lines with the enemy in front
Of them and the ocean to their
backs.
Henry McAllister, white. officer
in command, and Sgt. Douglas con-
tacted our artillery units via radio
and directed fire at the enemy po
sitions. The first salvoes fell shor
: endangering our own men but ad
iustment in the fire finally placet
t the shells in the designated area.
Our troops had ceased firing i
I order not to disclose their position
( and dug trenches for shelter D
r hand AS the troops were unfamilla
e with the terrain and the patrol dis
I Matched TO reinforce and lead In
= stranded party back TO the line
had not as yet made contact, Their
|, was fear that the enemy might al
& tack in force. At the command pos
a officers and men dry-eyed hung
o each message and there was n
boisterousnesS at chow as the ne
= thought of the lost patrol some
I where in the black ghostllke JUL
| giles.
III Men Weep With Joy
III As the artillery blasted the a.
| and the minutes passed like hour
the telephone rang and a Volc
stated: "Our patrol has contacto
| your patrol and is now on way
| CAMP Minutes later, dirty, swea
ing, and grinning, our troops II
turned. Men, with eyes water
Rugged men like women an
shouted with joy.
When the officers asked Tor mol
volunteers 10 go back, the VINO
unit stepped forward to a man ar
asked to be allowed to help cIea
up the area.
y After an examination by the NEE
= ical officer, the men were con
mended for their startling and ST.
| pendous calmnesS.
The men were dug in when S.
Leonard Spears, Chicago; Cpl. 10
eph Luke, Atlanta; Pvt. James Re
nolds; and your corresponds
stood at the spot where one of Il
first Negro combat soldiers OF tn
war died a few hours earlier. Bloc
was still wet on the ground, al
that same terrible something W
written across each face as Cha
lain Gil Lloyd, of Chicago, read 4
last rites for these first to fau.
II