Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
6:11 | After his injury, George Alden was evacuated to two different Navy Hospitals, one in Guam and the other in Hawaii. He recalls the many deaths witnessed en route to Guam and the burial at sea ceremonies held for the fallen soldiers. After spending 4 months in the hospital, he was then assigned to a security battalion in Saipan.
Keywords : Guam Hawaii Saipan burial at sea Navy Chamorro
George Alden reminisces about his old comrade, John Basilone, who received the nation's highest military award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
George Alden discusses the formation of the 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. He also gives an account of his time as a Sergeant in the 3rd platoon of a rifle company, and how he and his men were eventually ordered to report to Iwo Jima.
His company was in the 1st wave to land on Red Beach Two. Under attack from the moment he left the amphibious tractor, George Alden lost 4 of his men. Forced to keep moving in order to protect his remaining comrades, the group pushed further up the island towards the first landing strip. However, George was injured when he and his squad found themselves pinned down under Japanese fire. Injured and alone, George was forced to wait nearly a full day before he was discovered and rescued.
After serving as a Marine, George Alden discusses his service in the Air Force and his time in Korea as a contracting officer.
