I was serving as a 2nd Platoon “Runner” for Lt. James Stanley Leary Jr. of Ahoskie N.C. We had landed in the First Wave between 8am and 9am, June 15, 1944. Our AmTrac had planned to take us 150-200 yard inland, but had stopped on the beach due to the high banks at that point.
Japanese artillery shells had landed in the water as we made our way to the beach, and had scored several direct hits on the AmTracs. The shelling continued on the beach. We exited the Amtrac and Lt. Leary began to yell for everyone to get off the beach. Members of the 2nd Platoon were on the beach no more than 90 seconds, but during that time, Winnekines was killed and an AmTrac had run over Tony Romero’s legs.
We scrambled up the embankment into an area of shrubs and coconut trees. Three members of supply received a direct artillery hit and disappeared. Whittie was killed by a sniper’s bullet. Several others were killed and more were wounded. By day’s end, we had advanced no more than 200 yards, positioned on the south side of Chalan Kanoa inside a line of trees and facing the dry bed of Susupe Swamp.
Japanese soldiers had fled Chalan Kanoa when the bombing began, and were gathered south of a road that ran from CK to the airport.
That night, Japanese soldiers attacked one platoon of “G” Company, positioned on our right flank, as well as “H” and “I” companies. “H” Company was so decimated they were merged with “G” Company. Some combat correspondent took a photo.
The following morning, June 16, we moved across the dry swamp and into the foothills east of CK. Sgt. Jack Campbell was wounded that afternoon and evacuated. Combat Correspondent Bob Cook arrived and shared a bomb crater foxhole with Lt. Leary and me,
That night, the 2nd Platoon was attacked by 15-20 Japanese soldiers. We heard them approaching, but did not see them until Naval flares illuminated the area, surprising the Japanese who became prime targets. Many Japanese were killed, others fled into the darkness. One wounded Japanese moaned and screamed until near daylight, then died.
Bob Cook took a photo the following morning, June 17, that included CK in the background, pinpointing our position immediately east.
Our original orders to take the airfield were changed, and we received new orders to check out some gun emplacements on the east coast of the island above cliffs of Magicienne (Laulau) Bay. The gun emplacement proved to be wooden dummies, and permitted us a few hours of relative quiet.
The following morning, June 18, we were force marched to the west, and by noon, were relaxing in a ravine adjacent to an open field. The point was where the 2nd Division and 4th Division were to connect, but a gap had been created as a result of heavy opposition.
All was quiet in the area. No shots were being fired. When commanded, we climbed out of the ravine and began to move across the open field.
We were, approximately, three quarters across the field when the quietness was shattered by the sounds of machine gun fire, rifle fire, and mortar fire. Marines fell right and left, and we were commanded to fall back to the ravine. “G” Company sustained several wounded, Nightingale was killed.
Later that day, after the Coconut Grove was pounded with mortar and artillery fire, angry Marines stormed the area. No Japanese were found alive. The fight last 10 minutes, but we had aged a lifetime. Later, we learned that the Coconut Grove had been a Japanese command post.
The site, etched in my mind as somewhere south of Hill 500, was never found when I returned to Saipan in 2004 and 2005.
A recently discovered aerial photo covered an area from the Sugar Dock on the west to Magicienne Bay on the east. The map positioned the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines in the foothills immediately east of CK and near Fina Sisu. The Coconut Grove was identified as the “Gap” between the two divisions, immediately east of “The Sugar Dock,” and not far from Lake Susupe. An open field south of the Coconut Grove was clearly visible with, what appeared to be, a small ravine on its south side. I had failed to realize that the island was no more than 3-5 miles wide at that point.
A week or ten days later, “G” Company was given a night away from the frontline. We came out of the mountains, and, on our way to the beach, we returned to the Coconut Grove where we discovered that Nightingale’s body had not been removed. The site was not a pretty one, and Lt. Leary became visibly angry.
No record of Nightingale’s remain has been discovered. Lt. Leary was killed on Day 23. Both Marines remain among those “Missing in Action.”
CARL W. MATTHEWS
Cedar Hill, Texas
Carl Matthews is a Saipan veteran interviewed by Bruce Petty for his book, “Saipan: Oral Histories of the Pacific War.” — ed
