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William Wilkerson

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Unlike nearly every other recruit, William Wilkerson says he enjoyed boot camp. "Healthy enough to take the abuse and smart enough to take the orders." He was among the first trained at brand new Camp Pendleton. (5:09)

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Besides getting shot, there were serious hazards in the jungles of the South Pacific. William Wilkerson tells of elephantiasis and malaria that struck troops and of the curious lack of snakes. (4:36)

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After hitting the beach on Iwo Jima, William Wilkerson found himself leading the remnants of his unit. He was the old man of the outfit at 21. They managed to reach the North End of the island and sent a canteen of salt water back to HQ. Part 1/2 (12:00)

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In the chaotic aftermath of Iwo Jima, William Wilkerson and his unit hitched a ride back to Guam without any orders. There were no officers left in the outfit to give them. (9:26)

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William Wilkerson explains how Japanese gunners on Iwo Jima achieved their pinpoint accuracy. He laments accidentally shooting Korean civilians and gives a surprising take on the iconic raising of the flag. Part 2/2 (10:28)

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Taking Guam felt good to William Wilkerson because it reclaimed a U.S. possession. Then when a Japanese admiral was captured, his unit witnessed a surprising and puzzling reunion. (8:36)

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The arrest and imprisonment of Tokyo Rose did not sit well with Marines who enjoyed her broadcasts. What other entertainment did they have? (2:29)

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Even in a war, William Wilkerson was able to appreciate beauty around him. Intricate spider webs, jungle orchids and old Lutheran churches caught his eye. (3:13)

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His first duty on Guadalcanal was to swim out and meet cargo ships. William Wilkerson then learned to keep a lizard under his mosquito net and got busted back to private. (9:40)

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On Bougainville, William Wilkerson got the jump on Japanese troops as they were cooking breakfast. An iron ore deposit played havoc with compasses and a sniper incident took a disturbing turn. (13:05)