Don, I would be honored if you would autograph for me a special picture of an LVT-1 at Tarawa. Could you please contact me at steedd@stcva.org ? Thank you, Durk Steed
Much has been made of Kelly Turner and Chester Nimitz’s seeming “indifference” to USMC losses at Tarawa (see below), but the truth of the matter is that it was part of the mathematics of World War... more
I believe your comparison to be a poor one. When you say the 27th Infantry went slow - indeed they did compared to the 400 troops they faced. The Army almost did not move considering the out number... more
To Ed Gilbert: Your remarks sound good in retrospect, but it was well known by Adm Turner and other Naval personnel when planning this battle in New Zealand that on the date he selected for the... more
I agree with your comments on this invasion. It was totally a wrong decision. I lost alot of good friends that day. I was a driver of an LVT-1 on Red Beach 2 1st.wave. May the Brass's souls rest in... more
Don, Thanks for your remarks about my assesment of Adm. Turner and the USN's decision to go in on Nov. 20th. My brother Cpl Thomas Fenton Platt, Jr. a LVT-1 driver was KIA 11-20. He was in your unit. ... more
I'm sorry Al but I don't remember Thomas as I get older my memory like everthing else is fading. When I joined the Amph. Trac. Bn.(C Co.) was in August 1943 I came fron 2nd. Spl. Wpn's Bn. so I... more
Thanks for your reply. You are one of the few members of C Co. 2nd Amtrac Bn. to survive. Great to know you are still on the top side of the grass. My brother was with this group from training in... more
Don I am taking a long shot.I believes uncle Bernard ( bernie) jack fein was possibly a LVT driver. I believe he was on the USS Robin Wently. Bernie was KIA nov 20. I am just looking for information... more
Jeffrey, If you have not done so already, you can contact the casualty office. They will send you his file if you request it. Also, in case you are not aware, your uncle appears on the JPAC database... more
Hello Sir, The information on PFC Bernard J. Fien is as follows: He was original in the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion Company C. he was transfered along with 43 other Co. C men to the new A-1... more
Al, That's incredible detail -- I'm really impressed with all the work you've done on the 2nd Amtrac Bn. I understand how difficult it is to amass that type of information. Great work! I had to... more
Hello Sir, I have been trying to put together information on the 2ND Amphibian Tractor Bat. at Tarawa. It would be an honor if I can interview you and ask you some questions. You can contact me at... more
Hi Durk: I tried sending you an email but it came back un deliverable. If you have a picture of an LVT 1 I would gladly sign it I don't have a picture of one. Don Crain
Don, Thank you so much. Recent storms in this part of the country temporarily knocked out a lot of power and communications/cable/email. Please email me your address to steeds4@comcast.net I will... more
Hello Mr. Crain, Do you remember your LVT's number or name. I am also working on putting together the crews. I may have a photo copy of your LVT-1. Al Guerrero
Al I think my trac.# was 41.and I don't remember if we had a name on it.Lt. Little was killed in my tractor plus my radio man and Asst. driver but don't remember their names S/F Don
Thanks Al for explaining this to the people who were not there and now they know. Most of us old Marines who were there knew about this later after we lost so many of our good Marines and Navy. Jeff
Yes the Army went slow at Makin. It was the 27th infantry Division the same one that had it's commander relieved at Saipan because they made very little progress. It was formed from the New York... more
Well done, Ed. Having been there, let me add my two bits to your thinking. The placement of artillery on the adjacent island would have accomplished little if anything. The indirect fire from the... more