Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

COMBAT STORIES FROM World War II

Arthur Buffington | U.S. Army Air Force, 316th Bomber Wing - Army Air Corps

2:17 | Mr. Buffington describes guarding Japanese prisoners as his first job overseas.

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WWII

Arthur Buffington | WWII | U.S. Army Air Force, 316th Bomber Wing | 2:17

Mr. Buffington describes guarding Japanese prisoners as his first job overseas.

Showing : WWII Videos

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He was on the 37mm gun and he only had 55 rounds to last the night. Frank Pomroy chose his targets carefully and the grapeshot he was firing was really an anti-tank weapon mowing down the charging enemy. Finally the Banzai attacks ended. This was the first defeat for the Japanese in the Pacific. (First interview)
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There was a warrant officer in charge of Frank Pomroy's platoon at Cape Gloucester. When Pomroy woke him up to tell him the Japanese were assembling in front of their position, he scoffed but got up anyway. As they stared out into the night he lit a match and held it in front of his face. No Japs out there. See? (First interview)
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It was an old tub the Marines boarded for the trip to the Pacific. In New Zealand they unpacked the ship and repacked it for combat though they didn't know yet where it would be. Frank Pomroy recalls that the locals were ready to party. (Second interview)
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The Japanese had another battalion on the way but they attacked the Marines at Tenaru River without waiting for them. They should have waited. Frank Pomroy was manning a 37mm gun and that was a big reason that Banzai charge after Banzai charge failed. (Second interview)
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