The 96th Infantry Division have been having difficulty taking Kakuzu Ridge in Okinawa. They have suffered many casualties in the past 3 days. The 383rd/3 battalion spent the night of April 10th on the north slope of the saddle. They received ammunition and rations the morning of April 11th. At 1300, my dad and what … More Dad’s Role in Operation Iceberg, Part 4, April 11, 1945

Some of the most intense fighting on Okinawa for the 96th Division occurred starting April 8, 1945 when they were trying to overtake Kakuzu Ridge. The Japanese had fortified underground caves and the Americans were out in the open. There were heavy losses for the 383rd, 3rd battalion on April 9. The regiment had suffered … More Dad’s Role in Operation Iceberg, Part 3, April 8 – 10, 1945

My dad’s notes ended on April 3, 1945. According to several sources, I do know that the 383rd started to face strong opposition on April 4. My dad was part of the 3rd Battalion and the map below shows the movement of the troops between April 3 to April 8. The Battalion my dad was … More Dad’s Role in Operation Iceberg, Part 2, April 4-7, 1945

It was 1 April 1945, Easter Sunday, there were 1200 ships in the East China Sea off the coast of Okinawa and 1500 planes flying overhead that day. Dad had attended church service and was getting ready for the invasion of Hagushi beach at dawn. He was on board an LST(Land Ship, Tank), the US … More Dad’s role in Operation Iceberg Part 1 April 1-3, 1945