A WWII Soldier in the Pacific

Anyone familiar with WWII studies in the Pacific will recognize the name Eugene B. Sledge. The author, who corresponded with Sledge 30 years ago, shared the experience of serving on Peleliu in the Palau Islands. Sledge was part of the 1st Marine Division, which led the assault. Within six weeks, the division was decimated, suffering 60% casualties. The 81st Infantry Division was then deployed to secure the island, followed by the 111st Infantry for cleanup operations. This memoir comes from a 111st Infantry member, drawing from the author's diary and letters home. Thobaben's narrative starts on November 8, 1943, as he embarked on a troop ship to Hawaii, joining the Central Pacific Campaigns in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands as part of the 3rd Battalion's medical headquarters team. In addition to recounting his own experiences, Thobaben has conducted interviews with servicemen and women from the Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Corps over the years. His work encompasses a diverse range of perspectives to provide a comprehensive view of combat life in the Pacific during WWII, some of which are featured in this unique account.