In San Diego the West Cressey was loaded with artillery, ammunition and other war supplies. Additionally, a contingent of eager young marines came aboard to sleep in hammocks in the hold. The war materials and the marines were destined for Wake Island. Their esprit d corps was something to behold.
[Laurel’s inserted note: “esprit d corps”—the spirit, enthusiasm and devotion…I didn’t know what esprit d corps meant]
During the long cruise to alleviate the boredom and perhaps half in jest, the marines discussed high-jacking the ship and setting up their own kingdom in a beautiful, small south sea island. They figured with all this armament it would not be worth it to any country to try to recapture the island. They needed a radio operator for their fantasy scheme. They tried to recruit me, but their plans didn’t get very far. We dropped the men and supplies off at Pearl Harbor, where they boarded a transport for Wake Island.
Our side’s military sent a message to men on Wake Island asking what we could do for them. The last message sent from Wake Island just before its capture, was “please sent us more Japs!” When Wake Island was captured by the Japanese, I could imagine what a fight these boys put up. The Japanese admiral who captured Wake was quoted after the war as saying that “if his troops had fought with the valor of the U.S. Marines that the Japanese would have won World War II.
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