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Emmett Wilson

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Mr. Wilson describes how he and his division dealt with snipers in France. (1:00)

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Mr. Wilson recalls spending a lot of time in foxholes while being bombed by German forces in attempts to take Schmitt. (1:57)

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(Part 2/4) Mr. Wilson discusses traveling many miles in search for shelter and supplies. (6:06)

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(Part 3/4) Mr. Wilson continues sharing his story of survival when separated from his unit. (5:58)

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(Part 1/4) Mr. Wilson describes the chaotic series of events that unraveled when he was separated from his unit, due to a brigade of German tanks. (5:07)

Emory B. Ashurst

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When he was headed to Parris Island, Emory Ashurst knew nothing about the Marine Corps. It only took him a few days to find out what it was all about. That was in 1940 and he was at his first post, guarding a naval powder factory when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was sent to demolition school and slotted for the South Pacific. (This interview made possible with the support of MICHAEL J. TANNER.) (5:56)

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After some amphibious training at La Jolla, Emory Ashurst crossed the Pacific with the 2nd Marine Division to their first island objective, Gavutu, in the Solomon Islands. On his way to the beach in the Higgins boat, he listened to the whining and emotional panic of some of the others. He was not rattled because he had old time religion. (This interview made possible with the support of MICHAEL J. TANNER.) (4:45)

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Emory Ashurst was not technically infantry. He was in a Pioneer unit, tasked with various support functions on the battlefield. His specialty was demolitions and he recalls an incident in which he was placing charges at the mouth of a cave when a gunshot rang out. Another time his crew nearly hurt a fellow Marine when a rock went flying. (This interview made possible with the support of MICHAEL J. TANNER.) (5:54)

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When the Marines hit Tarawa, there was a vast coral reef which prevented the Higgins boats from reaching the shore. Emory Ashurst was lucky to not be in the first wave, walking over the reef. He got a ride in on an amphibious tractor. Many who walked in were killed. He remembers the fine job done by the Navy Corpsmen, who came in alongside the Marines. (This interview made possible with the support of MICHAEL J. TANNER.) (4:30)

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The Japanese commander on Tarawa boasted that it would take a million men a hundred years to take the island. The Marines accomplished it with somewhat fewer in quite a bit less time. Emory Ashurst says the battle was something you would never want to see again. (This interview made possible with the support of MICHAEL J. TANNER.) (6:28)