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Frank Pomroy

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Frank Pomroy had left a man for dead on the Guadalcanal battlefield. Everyone agreed that he was dead and they pressed on. But he wasn't and, after almost being buried alive because he could not speak, the two encountered each other in the rear area. This was only the beginning of his sad story. (First interview) (8:29)

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Frank Pomroy was painting his sister's house when someone drove up and said Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He and another seventeen year old boy hitchhiked to the recruiter who told them they were too young. A ruse was required.(Second interview) (4:57)

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It was tough but boot camp would turn out to be easiest part of Frank Pomroy's time in the Marine Corps. After that, there was six weeks of training at New River and then straight to the Pacific. He and a buddy had volunteered to crew the 37mm anti-tank gun but it didn't work out the way they wanted. (Second interview) (9:04)

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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) (8:11)

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Frank Pomroy remained on the transport while his unit made the unopposed landing on Guadalcanal. He was helping unload the weapons and supplies but, before they could get much off the ship, a Japanese air raid bore down on them. Part 1 of 2. (Second interview) (9:49)

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After being adrift on a raft and then witnessing the stunning US Navy defeat at the Battle of Savo Island, Frank Pomroy was at New Caledonia trying to find passage back to his unit on Guadalcanal. Some sailors helped him out and then cleaned him out. Part 2 of 2. (Second interview) (8:13)

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Frank Pomroy was late for the battle on Guadalcanal so he volunteered for a lot of patrols. He and a pal went on a lot of them, then they decided to take it easy for a day. That day turned out to be anything but easy. (Second interview) (9:47)

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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) (10:02)

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In combat, you have tunnel vision. Frank Pomroy experienced that when he faced waves of Banzai charges on Guadalcanal. They were intended to frighten you enough that you turned and ran but it didn't work on the young Marines. (Second interview) (3:47)

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Frank Pomroy and his fellow Marines were so tired and wracked with malaria that, when they shipped out, they were unable to climb the cargo net. Frank has a novel theory that there were three fronts in the war, the German Front, the Japanese Front and the Douglas MacArthur Front. (Second interview) (5:37)