Where Heros Trod

I thought this crowd would enjoy this.

I'm out at Kwajalein Atoll doing some archaeological work. We recovered the remains of at least 4 Japanese soldiers two weeks ago, but that is a different story.

Kwajalein Atoll was taken as part of Operation Flintlock in Feb 1944. The 7th Infantry Division took Kwajalein, and the 4th Marine Division took Roi-Namur.
The WWII defenses are in much better shape on Roi because there has been much less infrastructure built there.

This is a pic of a Japanese pillbox on the north shore of Roi Namur. This bunker was captured by 23rd Marines of the 4th Marine Division on Feb 1, 1944. PFC Richard Anderson recieved a Postumous Medal of Honor for his exploits here. The pic of the bunker is from the ocean side where the Japs expected the Marines to land. The US learned their lesson at Tarawa. The Marines were able to get inside the lagoon and land on the lagoon side of the island. As a result, most of the heavy concrete defenses were attacked from the rear, such as this one. Anderson fumbled and dropped his own grenade and fell on it to save his buddies in the same hole with him.

I found the dropped M1 Carbine cartridge on the surface near where Anderson was killed. I've been coming here off and on since 1994. When I first came there seemed to be bullets and casing everywhere on the surface. Now that are becoming scarce.

By the way, Kwajalein is now the Army's main anti-ballistic missile test range. We also have several large radars here for missile launch and deep space tracking. The higher HQ for Kwaj is the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, AL.

It must be a funny, humbling experience to visit sites like this.

Bob

Threepdr,
In the late 60's while in the AF we use to stop at Kwajlein when Wake Island was shut down due to runway repair on our way with cargo to Vietnam.
I always enjoyed walking around both old battle fields. At the time Kwajalein only had one open air snack bar to get a hamburger, I remember having to run the dog's off from under the table where they hung out looking for a hand out.... What a great job you have, I would love to go back for a visit.