I’m just trying to figure out how to function in this chaos. Bullets whisked past my helmet, I could hear the deafening explosions all around. The only thing louder was the calls of the fallen. The ones we had to run past as their last moments passed them by. It didn’t matter what we did in boot camp, nothing could have prepared us for this.

The year was 1944, the war was going well. D-day happened a little over a week ago. The war was finally starting to turn around. To support our brothers in the west we had to win here at a little island called Saipan. A little island in the pacific. To most a dot on the map, but to tens of thousands it would become a final resting place.

June 15th early morning we set out. This was no surprise the Japanese knew that we were coming. They were prepared. The beaches were covered head to toe: fitted with mines, artillery, and other unforeseen horrors. They would tell you exactly what you wanted to hear; if you kept your head down you’d get through it. That was wrong. There was no method to survival, not here. You could keep your head down all you wanted; it wouldn’t stop the hidden mine from shooting you 10 feet high.

The landing boats went out. All around there were explosions and loud splashes that littered the surrounding water. I could feel my legs trembling. My stomach turned upside down, as I lurched over the right side of the boat. I couldn’t hold my breakfast any longer. When I turned there was an explosion. A vibrant flame of yellow and orange flared from a nearby landing craft. 25 men died in an instant. I didn’t know what to do. They hadn’t even reached the shores yet. How could I survive, what could I do? We rapidly approached the beach. All I could hear were slight mumbles all around. Everything was moving slowly, I couldn’t understand what was happening. I zoned out, unable to process the chaos from all around. The only thing that snapped me out was a jolt from my left. Brad, my buddy from back home noticed I was out. He pointed out that the lieutenant was giving us an order. Lieutenant Oliver was a good man. He always tried looking out for us soldiers. He always valued the men over the mission. He was the only thing often separating us from death.

“ Alright boys, the door is going to open in 15 seconds. When that happens you need to move; and I mean move fast. We sit here like ducks any longer than 25 seconds and we all go up in flames. Everyone needs to be off the vessel in under 25.” The countdown started: 10, 9, 8. Boom! A wave soared high as the heavens, and landed with a crash. The landing vessel capsized. I sank, unable to swim with 80 pounds of gear on me. Struggling and sucking in water I knew this would be my end. I almost accepted this as my finale, until like an angel Lieutenant Oliver came. He cut off my pack and, with the help of Brad, they pulled me up. “Soldier, we don’t have time to cool off; we have a beach to take.” He smiled, giving me a sense of confidence and reassurance. Humor in a time like this. Only he could do that. If I had him and Brad I could see a future where I survived this.

Once on the beach, I ran like I never had before. I had to make it to cover. I kicked up sand with my feet. Crawling, running, crouching whatever it took to make it. Our objective for the day was to take the beach. Our platoon had to create a landing for the tanks to be deployed. It was a grueling and deadly task. Lieutenant Oliver proved early why he was our leader. He was always in the lead and took out countless targets.

I was in the back trying to stay with the group. Reassuring myself that If it came to it I could, no, I would use my rifle. I kept telling myself this to try and trick myself. The truth was, you don’t know until the moment it happens. You have no idea what you will do when the time comes.

We ran through the beach explosions all around. All seemed good when the tanks had finally landed. The day would be ours. Now all I had to do was keep my head down and make it through.

I saw a blur from the corner of my eye. I looked and it was my worst fear, an enemy soldier. This was the moment. Would I be able to pull the trigger? I tried squeezing the trigger. I would do it. Boom!

Where was I? My head was pounding. What happened? I was in some kind of tent. In walked lieutenant Oliver. He explained it to me. I was knocked unconscious by a shell. I then learned that we took the beach. While I was excited I knew it meant we still had the rest of the island to take. There was a long road ahead. This was only day one.