Tutum Iter

When J.B. wrote these missives, he was 59 years old and part of the U.S. Marine invasion force to retake Guam and determine friend from foe. These are his exact words although I have corrected some spellings and any additions/clarifications I have added will be italicized.

5 Aug.

My sweetheart. Found Rosa, lying on the ground, a mere shadow – picked her up in my arms, carried her in the lines, got a stretcher and had her taken to field hospital. I rubbed her ankles, massaged her shoulders, said “Rosa, remember how you used to do this for Mrs. Cooke.” Her face lit up, said she as she clasped her hands, “Oh Oh, Mrs. Cooooke”. I’ll try and see her each day. June and Maria were with Rosa. Illena is dead. Found Mrs. Buttler and Mrs. Elliot barefooted and in rags. Found B.J. Bordall’s wife ditto. Have all of them in camp with me. In fact, I have 7500 with me. Some kissed me. A lot of them cried and laughed. All of the movie people got me and all of the correspondents interviewed me. Had my picture taken with Gen. Holland Smith and Gen. Geiger, Admiral Hoover and Gen. Larson. Am still attached to Assault forces. Expect to report back to Gen. Larson soon.

The other day wrote that I had gotten as far as the cemetery. Found out later that I was ahead of our lines. I heard shells whizzing over my head, but none came very close – Dead Japs are everywhere. The odor isn’t like geraniums. The picture enclosed is a still they took when making the newsreel. The boys are the 1st Chamoi to come through the lines.

I think I told you the nearest I came to being hit, was one that hit a tree right at my foxhole. Well I don’t know whether one came closer or not but I had a patrol in the hills and snipers were shooting at us. I saw one in a bush not 25 yards away. I fired and when I did two appeared. One an officer. As soon as I fired, a marine started firing with an automatic rifle, both fell. I claimed one of them. Anyhow I have his sword, briefcase and pistol. We buried them where they fell. They are just sneaks, They try to slip up on you and if they can’t they don’t know what to do. A lot of our men are lost by unnecessary exposures.

One morning we were bothered by considerable shell fire. Out of curiosity I took my glasses and tried to see where it was coming from. I spotted the gun, looked like at least a twenty inch (found out later it was 5 inch). Then I saw it fire and the shell whistled away up but dropped and exploded about 150 yards away. It came form a cave on the west side of Orote. Savvy’s old ship spotted it and opened fire. Later McCarthy and I went up and that is where we spotted the sixty dead Japs. Savvy’s boat did wonderful work from the 1st day. How fine she looked and how proud I was. I am so proud of our men. I tell you honey I don’t believe anybody in our forces are afraid. Death is so common nobody takes time out to recognize it. They say our boys never die.

More tomorrow, you lovely lady. I love you all the time.

Your devoted Daddy.

When J.B. wrote these missives, he was 59 years old and part of the U.S. Marine invasion force to retake Guam and determine friend from foe. These are his exact words although I have corrected some spellings and any additions/clarifications I have added will be italicized.

4 Aug.

My precious sweetheart.

Can hardly walk. No time to write. 7 letters from you, one from John and I[syl], one from Nee [JB’s sister, Cornelia Cooke]. Couldn’t read them for hours after I got them. The going is rough and tough. Got note from Savvy with yours enclosed. Missed Savvy at Enuvetok [Enewetak]. Captured Shinohaha!! He rushed to me with open arms. I scorned him. Locked him up. He was terrible to the natives. More later.

When J.B. wrote these missives, he was 59 years old and part of the U.S. Marine invasion force to retake Guam and determine friend from foe. These are his exact words although I have corrected some spellings and any additions/clarifications I have added will be italicized.

Though dated the 29th of July 1944, events of the 30th prevented JB from writing. Thus I present this second missive from the 29th here.

29th 5:30 PM

My own sweetheart –

Just got back from a trip as far as the cemetery. Couldn’t go any further as that is the front line. I have yet to see a single house standing. Native huts, everything gone, both sides of the road lined with dead Japs. Saw another bunch of Charmorrans in a camp near Asau. One woman said “Oh Missur Cooke, he come one then he come again then I think dead, now he come again”. The ever faithful Quenga said, “He come back because you are in trouble”. Bill Edward’s house has only posts standing. I saw one flame tree flaming in all its glory. It was still too hot to get to the cable station but there still isn’t a building standing in Sumay.

I found too, dead marines that had been missed. As I went along the line here comes the tanks and many troops. Everybody laughing and talking, going into battle with a smile. Jeeps and trucks coming back with the wounded. Everybody seems to take everything in stride. Saw little Juan’s brothers he said Juan is dead. Tried to find Timitato. His house is completely gone. Ran across a cave – a dead woman (Jap) lay in the entrance. Inside was a dressing table with cosmetics and what-nots. This was on a hill back of Tenjo. The general’s lady, maybe.

There’s a cliff behind the beach (called Datta Beach). Japs had hidden guns in there. Col. Artillery has put a few placed shots in vital spots. We counted 60 dead Japs there are 40 of whom committed ritual suicide. They are sneaks, fanatics – not smart and not brave as we understand the term. The only ones that aren’t fanatics are the ones that surrender.

The International Newsman interviewed me yesterday. Then last night Trembull of N.Y. Times had a long talk. Every time I have been at or near the front line, I have seen the newspaper boys. What a gang. I mean to write Mort Donohue and other friends about these fellows. They dig in everywhere, to get the dope to the folks at home. They seem to scorn all personal danger. We have 35 correspondents with us. As you know I am still with the Assault forces, Gen. Gieger. The way things look now I will report back to Gen. Larson pretty soon. I went out with him and pointed out certain terrain.

Must stop now my angel. Pass what I write along for what it is worth. I want you to especially keep John and his family informed. I would like to write more letters but haven’t the time. I love you with my heart and soul. My faith is in you and the faith you have in me keeps me going.

Your devoted Daddy

When J.B. wrote these missives, he was 59 years old and part of the U.S. Marine invasion force to retake Guam and determine friend from foe. These are his exact words although I have corrected some spellings and any additions/clarifications I have added will be italicized.

Guam 29th
Good morning, my sweetheart.

The 9th day opened up with terrific artillery – mostly my old friend Col. “Artillery” I went to his position yesterday and I am now holed in under his line of fire. Every day is 10 times as bad as Pearl. Yesterday we took Sumay and Mt. Tenjo. The going is tough because these Nips are all roped in and surrounded by land mines. We found a vast pile of Jap stores and I have my gang hauling them to the compound where we will use them to feed the natives. The Japs really have fine canned goods. One label enclosed is off of a can of very fine tangerines.

We were bothered by snipers, but the patrol with us killed them all. One prisoner we brought in had a wounded hand. When we took him in for treatment he bowed in true Jap style and when he left he gravely did it again. He cried when talking to the interpreter, saying, win or lose he would have no place to go. He looked 17, said he was 23.

Last night I took a look at Agat and along the Sumay road. What a mess. Cows, caribou, chickens, dogs and cats are gradually drifting into our lines. Got a letter from Marg McBride yesterday, written July 12th. Your last was 5 July. We do have mail drifting in and I hope to get a lot from the grandest woman there is. I did get a chance to read your letters again. All of your letters show an unbounding faith in me. There is no way a wife can hold her man greater than that of faith. I, too, have faith in you unfettered. It all helps me tremendously. You are my guiding star and I love you, my lovely lady

– Your devoted Ground Squirrel.

When J.B. wrote these missives, he was 59 years old and part of the U.S. Marine invasion force to retake Guam and determine friend from foe. These are his exact words although I have corrected some spellings and any additions/clarifications I have added will be italicized.

28th
Good morning sweet woman

Last night wasn’t so bad. I really got a fair night’s rest. Some heavy firing but not the constant roar. I have just come from the native compound. They are very happy. Jap prisoners are just a short way from them. They too seem happy. Have had breakfast, chopped bacon and powdered eggs, marmalade, field biscuits, and coffee. Yesterday afternoon took a trip up on the Agat Sumay road, to a spot where the Japs set up an elaborate set of mortars and artillery. The place was a shambles, everything blasted out, the area littered with Jap dead. I don’t know how many were buried in the debris, but there were hundreds in sight.

There was a lapse last night, but things are certainly going now. Today is a big one. I just can’t get over this trench business. A naval Commander in the trenches with the marines. Who would have thought it. It’s a rugged experience and I’m glad to be in it.

Four letters came yesterday – all from you – all sweet – full of love and affection. The last was dated 4 July. I was deep in the big bunch of letters from you. Since hearing from you I have visited Emivetok and Kevaglen [Enewetak, future nuclear weapons test site, and Kwajalein- both now part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands] and the Carolines. Mail is fribbling in from Saipan. I hope mine are getting off to you. It is obvious that the censor has eased down. We can talk freely of Guam.

Give my thanks to Hicks and Mort Donahue. Fine fellows. Would like to hear from any of those fellows. I like ’em all. I still have no permanent address for you. Will continue to send your letters to Ventura because I know they will be forwarded immediately. Your Sonoma mail has to be called for and there might be a delay in forwarding.

All my love to you my darling. Things are too hot, have to stop. Love and kisses to the grand wife of mine

– Your devoted Daddy

When J.B. wrote these missives, he was 59 years old and part of the U.S. Marine invasion force to retake Guam and determine friend from foe. These are his exact words although I have corrected some spellings and any additions/clarifications I have added will be italicized.

27th – 7 AM

Good morning angel,

Yesterday I got up near the old golf course, Allen Shapely has a regiment there. Machine gun fire was too hot so I got out. It looks like the big battle will be fought around Agaña. The Japs are deeply holed in up towards Elk’s Beach and down to T.B. Hill and the Shinajama district. I’m afraid Agaña will be a wreck. There isn’t a house in Agat, Asan or Piti. We have all those places. Suman will be taken today. Allen Shapely will take the town, He has a fine outfit. We had 6 prisoners in camp last night and still have them. One is an officer and the only one injured. They all talked freely and seemed happy to be in our lines. Definitely no thought of Hari-Kari on their part.

Had a better place to sleep last night, but shell fire was almost constant and kept me awake. One of the natives with me remembers you well and sends his best to Mrs Cooke (you) and to Johnny. He keeps telling the marines what fine friends we were to the Chamouras [Chamorros]. His name is Barcinas and taught school at Merizo. He tells me that Sinohara is very much alive and a big shot. One of the Agaña boys told me that he saw “Shiny” slap the governor the day the Japs came in. The Shimigee boys have been guarding the natives and forcing them to work. All of that tribe will soon be in our hands. They are in for a bad session.

Don’t let the people kid you about the rations the Japs get. They are as good or better than ours. All kinds of canned fish, crab, shrimp, lobster, tuna, salmon, plenty of sake, fruit juices, etc. darn little rice. We have taken big supply dumps of food and clothing. The going is tough, the Japs taking every advantage of the rugged hills. Today we will go over from Agat toward Talafofo. One of the planes reported seeing people in that vicinity.

I’m going to lie down for a rest. All my love, my lovely wife and my sweetheart.

Your devoted Daddy