May 18, 1945 The Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill on Okinawa

A desperate fight on a rock in the Pacific against a determined enemy.

The Sixth Marine Division was given the task of taking the mound called Sugar Loaf, and it would prove costly. By the time the area was considered secure, 1,656 Marines would be dead and another 7,429 wounded. Regiments were reduced to com­pany strength, and companies to platoon size. Platoons and squads simply ceased to exist in some cases. It took 11 tries during a 12-day period and ate up most of three regiments before the hill was taken. Why this was so, and how the hill was eventually taken, is the subject of James Hallas’ World War II book, “Kill­ing Ground on Okinawa: The Battle for Sugar Loaf Hill.”

There is an elderly gentleman I know here in my town in central Texas. I've known him and we've been friends for 22 years. He was in this fight when he was 19 years old.

Every time I shake his hand I appreciate his service. But we don't say anything about it. Unspoken respect.

But the cost had been tremendous. Over nearly two weeks, regiments had been reduced to company strength, and companies to platoons. Many platoons were wiped out to a man. More than 1,600 Marines died in the fight for this 50-foot-high strongpoint, with another 7,400 wounded.

Semper Fidelis.

posted by Dave In Texas at 09:28 AM

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