Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 When stationed on Okinawa in 1966-1968 we didn't have a lot of money so we cruised around the island from historical sites to just plain fun sites. I worked as a supply officer for a Nike Hercules-HAWK maintenance unit that was atop the west side of what was called Item Pocket during the war. It had been hard fought and here were literally tons of unexploded ordnance still all over the island. There were caves all around the inside of the pocket so that when you were shooting at the cave across from you one your own people might be shooting back across the inner circle at you. It was brutal. Less than five miles away to the north east was Hacksaw Ridge, now called the Urasoe (Ur Rah so way) Escarpment. We went to almost all of these sites. And Desmond Doss was well known and even remembered by some as the man who was a Conscientious Objector who didn't believe in killing and wouldn't touch a weapon, but managed to rescue 75 or more men from the ridge under almost nonstop fighting while he was wounded by gunfire and grenades himself. This was all a scant 21 years after the war ended. Battle damage was still evident all over, He was, and as far as I know, still is the only CO to earn the Medal Of Honor. Watch the movie. It's a BRUTAL but accurate depiction of battle and as far as I can find out factually accurate for the most part. I'd have to recruit a platoon to get enough thumbs up for this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 I saw the movie and read his story. Inspiring in every way. Glad you got to walk the ground while the memories were still alive. Would have been a special experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted May 27 Author Share Posted May 27 It most certainly was, but my old "burned-to-the-bone" memory has lost a lot, and so called "progress" has destroyed some of the physical items and places that made it so much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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