I had mentioned Wake island 2 days ago and today I thought I'd tell a little story about getting to and being on Wake Island.
Our aircrew left Guam to follow and report on a large typhoon going across the Pacific Ocean. We traveled From Guam to Truk Island and then on to Wake Island. that was 1900 miles chasing that typhoon until it dissipated.
This is the bridge from Wake to Pitcin Island. We went fishing off the bridge and caught some nice fish. We didn't know if they were edible so we tossed them back into the water.
This is one of the 8 inch guns that was removed from the battleship USS Texas and put on Wake. The Japanese wanted to take Wake. 450 Marines and 50 civilians held off a Japanese task force from landing on Wake on their first try. The Japanese brought in another huge task force and took the island later on.
This is a bar called The Drifters Reef. The whole crew assembled there, officers and men and we had a huge barbeque, with lots of beer and fellowship. That was the only time in 10 years and 8 months where officers mingled with enlisted.
This picture is one of the remaining bunkers the Marines used to hold off the Japanese landing forces.
This is another bunker on the island.
Way back before WWII, Wake Island was a stop for PAN AM flying boats to land and refuel before going on to the far east.
Brother Bill
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