We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:31:26 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Since today is the anniversary of the landings on Okinawa, this is apt. They paid for this: Red Beach 2, Tarawa, 20 november, 1943... John, Your blog name is how I feel today. Here’s why. Carl William Martin was born in March 1926 in Cumberland, Maryland. When we entered World War II, his father was given a choice: join the service or relocate to Pittsburgh (alone) to continue his work in the steel mills as an essential war industry; he relocated to stay close to his family of small children. Carl, the oldest child, waited until his 17th birthday... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:43:21 -0600 I realize that his friend thought Carl was in the Navy, but the specifics he provides indicate that Carl was a Marine. His battalion, 2d Amphibian Tracs, were the cutting edge of amphibious technology. They had 75 of the slightly older the LVT-1, and 50 of the brand new armored LVT-2 model. In fact, they were so new that they weren’t even delivered to the battalion until after the invasion practice had been conducted. Of 125 LVTs at Tarawa 90 were sunk, destroyed by gunfire or otherwise disabled during the battle. There were many sailors involved in the battle. In fact, two doctors, 26 corpsmen, and about 100-150 other naval personnel (Naval Gunfire Observers, boat crews) were killed in action. And Third Battalion, 18th Marines, was a U.S. Navy Seabee Construction Battalion providing engineer support. Every man who served there deserves all the respect that they earned. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71487 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71487 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:33:51 -0600 I realize that his friend thought Carl was in the Navy, but the specifics he provides indicate that Carl was a Marine. His battalion, 2d Amphibian Tracs, were the cutting edge of amphibious technology. They had 75 of the slightly older the LVT-1, and 50 of the brand new armored LVT-2 model. In fact, they were so new that they weren’t even delivered to the battalion until after the invasion practice had been conducted. Of 150 LVTs at Tarawa 90 were sunk, destroyed by gunfire or otherwise disabled during the battle. There were many sailors involved in the battle. In fact, two doctors, 26 corpsmen, and about 100-150 other naval personnel (Naval Gunfire Observers, boat crews) were killed in action. And Third Battalion, 18th Marines, was a U.S. Navy Seabee Construction Battalion providing engineer support. Every man who served there deserves all the respect that they earned. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71486 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71486 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:32:26 -0600 For he who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother... Not the first or last time we Jarheads have ignored convention and granted the title 'MARINE' to somebody who bled with us, regardless of which lash-up they started out in...]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71483 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71483 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:48:23 -0600 According to his buddy Jack, he was a sailor serving with the Marines, like a Corpsman. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71481 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71481 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:41:02 -0600 Carl Martin was, indeed, a member of the greatest generation. He may have intended to enlist in the Navy, but he WAS a Marine. He did his boot camp at Parris Island, and served with the 2d Amphibian Tractor Battalion (LCol Henry G. Lawrence, Jr. Commanding) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71478 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71478 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:56:30 -0600 I was already reverent as I read this post, but when I saw that unexpected picture of the old sherman sitting at Tarawa, .... THAT really hit me. Today, I remember Okinawa and the bloody battles for the islands of the Pacific. Salute. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71476 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71476 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:51:15 -0600 Thanks for posting this. I'm sorry for your loss Jack, but thank you for writing. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71469 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71469 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:18:10 -0600 Two Giants have passed and I believe they would be proud of the tribute paid them on this blog. Great work by everyone involved. Thank you. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71464 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71464 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:29:47 -0600 When I get to Heaven, Saint Peter I will tell: "Another Marine reporting, sir I've spent my time in Hell." (USMC running cadence attributed to the ferocity of the Marine's fight at Tarawa.)]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71463 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/_john_your_blog.html#comment-71463 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:27:41 -0600