Post by Registrar on Feb 11, 2015 8:28:19 GMT 8
I have received a short statement from Cecil Clevenger, of the 503d PRCT, and felt it best to share it with you. He is 93. I cannot find a "Lt. Rein Shervent" in the KIA list but believe it to be 2nd Lt. Rene Stievenart, of "A" Co. Anyone have an idea of what the "Baton" hospital might refer to? - EXO
We had orders to move around Malinta Hill, we were to make the island completely under our control. As we moved around Melinda Hill, we saw one entrance to the hill with one tank parked in the entrance.
Our first day goal was to reach Monkey Point. There was little resistance, and we camped that night on the submarine bunker and the surrounding ground. It was getting dark. Two men went down towards the bunker, they were searching for souvenirs among the dead Japs-they were shot by gunfire from the bunker door.
The next morning we had a tank, we were going to ask for protection to recover the bodies. My company commander, Lieutenant Rein Shervent (sp?) said to me, “Go with me, Cecil.” We started down towards the bunker door-I was on the left side, he was on the right of the tank. The tank stopped, Lieut. Rein said to me, Cecil there are Japs running down the beach, go over and kill them.” Somebody was talking to him on the walkie-talkie.
I went over to the bluff. I didn’t see any Japs. I turned around to tell him I didn’t see any Japs. The whole hill went off. It knocked me down. I got to my feet, I started to move toward a light pole, but the little berry vines held me. I got down on my knees and put my thumb over my rifle barrel.
The rocks started falling, they broke the liner in my helmet, they hit my shoulders, they took the skin off the back of my hands. They started to bleed, I stood up. I figured the Japs would charge up the hill to finish us off. I stood there 10-20 minutes to protect my buddies. Then a soldier from a campaign came up to me and said, “Give me your gun.” I didn’t give him my gun. He asked me again, and I didn’t give him my gun. I was still looking for the enemy to come charging up the hill. He took my gun and started loading the truck, I had to walk through my dead comrades with arms and legs off, holes in their heads-it was horrible.
Went to the field hospital, they wrapped my arms and hands, put me on a boat, and went to the hospital in Baton.
Yes it still hurts, but I thank God every day that I am still alive.
Our first day goal was to reach Monkey Point. There was little resistance, and we camped that night on the submarine bunker and the surrounding ground. It was getting dark. Two men went down towards the bunker, they were searching for souvenirs among the dead Japs-they were shot by gunfire from the bunker door.
The next morning we had a tank, we were going to ask for protection to recover the bodies. My company commander, Lieutenant Rein Shervent (sp?) said to me, “Go with me, Cecil.” We started down towards the bunker door-I was on the left side, he was on the right of the tank. The tank stopped, Lieut. Rein said to me, Cecil there are Japs running down the beach, go over and kill them.” Somebody was talking to him on the walkie-talkie.
I went over to the bluff. I didn’t see any Japs. I turned around to tell him I didn’t see any Japs. The whole hill went off. It knocked me down. I got to my feet, I started to move toward a light pole, but the little berry vines held me. I got down on my knees and put my thumb over my rifle barrel.
The rocks started falling, they broke the liner in my helmet, they hit my shoulders, they took the skin off the back of my hands. They started to bleed, I stood up. I figured the Japs would charge up the hill to finish us off. I stood there 10-20 minutes to protect my buddies. Then a soldier from a campaign came up to me and said, “Give me your gun.” I didn’t give him my gun. He asked me again, and I didn’t give him my gun. I was still looking for the enemy to come charging up the hill. He took my gun and started loading the truck, I had to walk through my dead comrades with arms and legs off, holes in their heads-it was horrible.
Went to the field hospital, they wrapped my arms and hands, put me on a boat, and went to the hospital in Baton.
Yes it still hurts, but I thank God every day that I am still alive.
Cecil Clevenger