(01 Sept. 88) We’ve been doing our PTs up here, also. Our trainer, a 25-year-old marine bodybuilder just out of the corp., has personally taken part in the exercises. The first is warmup exercises , followed by a run in formation around the airfield, singing what used to be called Jodies, songs to keep you motivated while working out.
An example:
When I die bury me deep. With two crossed rifles beneath my feet.
And by my side a .45 I wear, And don’t forget to pack my PT gear.
Because early one mornin’ around zero-five, The grounds gonna shake there’ll be thunder in the sky
Don’t you get alarmed Don’t you come undone. It’s just me and Chesty Puller on a PT run.
In the morning we attended a briefing and received our mission booklet. Our job will be to sweep through the jungles of Ennugarret Island, the island just a short ride south from Sally Point.
Our first priority is to look for any electronic devices or anything that may have been left behind by Russian forces in anticipation of an upcoming test. We also have to look for contraband or cultivation of marijuana plants. And last, we have to warn any Marshallese we may encounter that they have to be off the island before the testing begins. This will be the last chance to visit another island before I return to Florida.
(05 Sept. 88) We sat in the AVON boat as the operator filled the gas tanks that were in the middle on the boat. The six of us sat around the edge and watched nervously as the leather-skinned old salt spilled some fuel. I think the problem was the lit cigarette that dangled from his mouth.
We left Yokohama Pier in picture postcard weather. The awning on our little craft was up and the twin outboards pushed us quickly over the gently rolling waters of the lagoon with the small inflatable raft in tow. After landing on the southwest corner of the island, four of us made it to the oceanside. Bobby Hurley, a retired Navy man and three day short-timer, wore his swimsuit and flippers. I saw him floating beside the beach as we started our trek north.
On the south beach I found pieces of rusting rail from the Japanese era. A few pilings that supported these rails are still visible on the reef to the south. The beach area is littered with ordnance, including some good-sized unexploded artillery shells.
In the preparation for a final assault on Roi-Namur, Marines from Ennumennet Island, walked north up the coral reef and captured Ennugarret after killing six Japanese soldiers. The remainder of the defeated force made good their escape (temporarily) by walking across the reef to Sally Point where almost all of the troops were killed. (Click to enlarge image.)
We headed inland through thick vines and underbrush, using our machetes to check for any hidden devices. In the jungle areas we found more shells, including unfired 30 cal. ammunition, still in the factory clip. The only life visible were crabs and fairy terns.
A few hours later, back on the lagoon side, we sat down for a long lunch break. I felt a little sad, knowing that in a few more days I would be on my way home. But I also don’t want to be one of the Kwaj-conditioned people, spending 20 0r 30 years here, not seeing what else is out there. At the same time, I can sense that America is rapidly disappearing and, for the lack of a better word, losing its soul. The difference now is I have a number of opportunities and I won’t waste them.
We were some tired troopers as we piled onto the AVON boat. Hurley, though, was feeling his oats and climbed into the inflatable trailing behind. He stood up while holding on to the tow rope and shouted to the boat operator to “let er rip.”
He did and the small craft stood on its tail. A look of surprise crossed Hurley’s face briefly, then a smile as he shouted like a cowboy at a rodeo. The old man’s gray hair flowed with the wind as he water skied all the way back to Yokohama Pier.
Filed under: Almost Paradise Volume 3
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