Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
3:59 | Forward Observer George Cattelona was grazed by two pieces of shrapnel on Iwo Jima and had his helmet spun around by one of them. He was not injured but his standing with the Captain took a hit when he answered a field telephone call in the middle of an enemy barrage. During a slow moment, he looked into one of the mining tunnels that honeycombed the island.
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For some reason, Marine recruit George Cattelona answered "artillery," when he was asked what course he wanted to take after basic training. While learning about the howitzers, he also learned not to volunteer for anything. On the train to the California, his unit had a bit of luck at a stop in New Orleans.
When George Cattelona's unit arrived in Hilo, Hawaii, he was informed that he was under quarantine and had to march through the dark to his camp. At least they had a laugh, thanks to the Captain who issued a stern challenge. They were also introduced to powdered eggs.
Over 800 ships with 3 divisions of Marines were gathered off the coast of Iwo Jima. They were told that the bombardment had devastated the enemy on the island. George Cattelona found out how wrong that was when he went ashore two hours into the attack. His Forward Observer team was on the way to the front when an incoming shell knocked out most of them. The three who remained pressed on.
On Iwo Jima, Forward Observer George Cattelona was doing three day shifts at the front, with two or three days off in the rear. On one of those tours, he watched a peculiar tactic with a truck full of rockets. With the battle lost, the Japanese mounted a desperate banzai charge in the middle of the night.
After twenty eight grueling days on Iwo Jima, Marine George Cattelona boarded a ship and got some much needed hot food and a shower. He marvels at the sheer number of men who fought on the tiny island and recalls the desperate bomber crews who landed in the middle of battle. His unit was sent to regroup on Hawaii after suffering a forty per cent casualty rate and it was there they got the exciting news.
