WEORLD WAR TWO – "A HELL HOLE"
A MARINE'S STORY THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.
I am compelled, this Memorial Day Eve, to share my thoughts, with tearful eyes, in memory of my father, Master Sergeant, Joseph Florian Gagne, US Marine Corps.
He fought in World War II, Guadal Canal in the South Pacific. He and his fellow Marines were pinned down in a swamp, up to their waist's in water, with no ammunition. They were in the water for 2 solid weeks. They reached for vines, pulling them down off overhead tree branches, wrapping them around themselves, just in case they should fall asleep and not drown overnight. All Dad had to fight with, was a long screwdriver and why he earned the name "Screw Driver Joe ". Finally, Naval ships arrived, bombing the island, rescuing the Marines, as they overtook the Japanese soldiers, who had pinned the men down in the swamp.
Dad made it home in 1944, unlike many many of his fellow Marines. Mom and Dad were married July 17, 1944 and I was born on July 19, 1945. Dad did not talk about Guadal Canal and the "hell hole" it was. When asked about the war, he would respond, "you do not need to know."
Dad was also in the Korean War. I remember when we took him to the dark steel train in Augusta, Maine. He with a train full of Soldiers waving out of the windows. I watched the train pull away slowly. For 2 years, Mom cried almost daily, never knowing if he was still alive. Her letter's would come back in bunches, they had not made it to Dad. In the beginning his letters would make it to us and only some to him. Communication was not the same as now. No email or phones, in Korean fighting fields.
Dad surprised us all, when he suddenly returned on Christmas Eve. He was dressed as Santa Clause, emptied his large green duffle bag under the tree. It was full of toys, for his then 3 children, myself, younger sister and brother. When Mom saw him come through the french, glassed, parlor doors, she fell on her knees, in tears, shock and relieved. Her husband was home safe! She waited to run to him, so not to give away his identity, ruining our Christmas surprise. As we clamored for all the toys, I turned around and Santa and Mom had left the room! We were left in the care of our Grandmother, Aunts and my God Father, for a good part of that memorable Christmas Eve.
Dad's story was included in the book "Men of War", the Naval Admiral asked Dad why he had the screw driver in the side of his boot. Dad said "He might need it". There were write ups in the The Kennebec Journal Newspaper, Readers Digest and Life Maagazine. Also in the KJ newspaper was a copy of a letter written to his Mother about why we must fight this war. It was eloquent.
I think it may be evident, with this history, why I have such an attachment to Memorial Day and our military. My Dad's story is only one of thousands and thousands of America's men, who have given their lives, those who have fought, in service to our country. In no way, can we honor their memory and appreciate sufficiently, our men and their families, now in service, for the freedom and security we often take for granted, in this the United States of America. God bless them all.
A Proud Maine Corps daughter, Lionette