|
 |
'Twas on August 7, back in '42
We climbed down the nets into boats
There was an air of sharp apprehension
We all had a lump in our throats.
The Captain had briefed us beforehand
On what was to be our goal -
A huge mound of earth near the airstrip
Insignificantly named, "Grassy Knoll."
"With this in our hands," it was offered
"Our aircraft can land on the strip."
But to many of those who listened,
It would be their very last trip.
The ocean spray lapped over the boat
Cooling faces now sweated with fear.
Not a word was heard from the bodies there
Crouched low from the weight of their gear.
A sudden thump announced our arrival
As the boat crunched the sand on the beach
The whine of the bullets were taking their toll
And more men were thrown into the breach.
Our target was seven miles distant
Which at the moment seemed mighty remote.
And we, who were going to be heroes
Were donning the horns of the goat.
The enemy had full intentions
Of stopping us dead in our tracks.
There was no way to go but forward
As the ocean was right at our backs.
The noise and the tumult were maddening
And the wounded were screaming with pain.
But it seemed that with each man who fell there
Our assault inched forward in gain.
At last we came into a clearing
That stretched out for several miles
The strain of the jungle was succored
And our faces were wreathed in smiles.
But our joy was soon turned to sadness
And we wished for the jungle again,
'Cause the heat of the sun was oppressive
And flesh-eating ant bites brought pain.
The canteens we carried were emptied
As men tried to slacken their thirst.
It looked like the heat would soon kill us
If the ants didn't do the job first.
The grass in the clearing was very tall
With blades like razor-edged knives
That cut and slashed our bodies and clothes
And further imperiled our lives.
Our pack straps cut deep in our shoulders
From the weight of the gear stowed inside.
But with bodies now aching and retching
We forged on, driven purely by pride.
We had made our landing at daybreak
Planning to arrive at our goal by noon.
It was now fast approaching nightfall
And we hoped for some light from the moon.
We moved on, to get out of the clearing
'Ere darkness obscured our view
And plodded on back into the jungle
Thankful the clearing was through.
The dense underbrush of the jungle
Which earlier had near spelled our end,
Embraced us with all-'round protection
And now became a good friend.
We fought back away from the beaches
Into jungle that steamed from the heat.
And now our troops were determined
That they weren't about to be beat.
The enemy men were soon routed
And our forces were gaining control.
But much to our later discomfort
They drew back to the big "Grassy Knoll."
We plodded our way through the jungle
Losing two steps for each one we'd gain.
Our bodies and clothing were sweat-drenched
As though we'd been soaked in the rain.
The effects of the day were now showing
That though tired, we were nervous with fear
And some men were firing at random
At each sound they happened to hear.
With this each man grew more cautious
And struggled to stay awake,
Lest he accidentally make noises
And get himself shot by mistake.
The night seemed long and endless
And we gratefully greeted the dawn.
But the sleepless night had taken its toll
And our bodies were tired and drawn
We ate up the last of our rations
Before we were forced to move on.
We felt like a legion of doomed men -
All our water and food were gone.
Our parched tongues were begging for water
And on nary a face was a smile,
And every man among us knew
We'd get none, for quite a while.
Each dew drop that perched on a plant leaf
Was greedily lapped up in thirst.
And thirst crazed men who once were friends
Battled to get to it first.
Our bodies and souls were so weakened
And the strain was breaking our backs.
When the order came to secure there
Every man fell down in his tracks.
The jungle so hot in the daytime
Became freezing cold at night,
And our weary and battered bodies
Were shaking from cold and fright.
A deathly silence prevailed there
Each man was deep in his thoughts.
When suddenly the quiet was broken
By the crackling of rifle shots.
The crack of a rifle then signaled
Our scouts had discovered the foe.
The advance was steady and cautious
All movements were careful and slow.
The noise of the fight was increasing
More rifles were joining the fray.
It was a time when men came close to God
And to themselves, they'd silently pray.
The full fury of war came in minutes
The cries of the wounded increased.
But for many a man who fell to the ground
The toil and suff'ring had ceased.
The enemy fire was deadly
Crisscrossing our lines at will.
Only one thing was on the enemy's mind
Line 'em up, squeeze 'em off, and kill!
It was difficult trying to move up
The cover-less grassy slopes.
But the withering fire of the enemy guns
Did little to dampen our hopes.
For we were determined to win there
And in spite of tremendous odds
We moved steadily onward and upward
While shell-fire tore up the earth in clods.
Discipline fast was fading
And tempers were getting hot.
Battle fatigue was fast setting in
We were a tattered and torn looking lot.
Then a rumble spread down thru the column
Sending chills clear down to the soul.
The dreaded time was approaching ---
We were nearing the big "Grassy Knoll."
The battered and weary Marines
With dirt, sweat and grime on their hide,
Quickly stopped all the grousing
And stiffened their backs with pride.
Hunger and thirst were forgotten
Men welded together as one.
Orders were quickly obeyed then ---
There was a big job to be done.
Apprehension once more called for caution.
We crept stealthily forward with care.
Not a man ever failed to take cover
Not a man would even dare.
At last we were nearing the summit
Return fire was beginning to thin.
The tide was completely reversed now
And we knew we were going to win.
The last handful of stragglers were captured
And the air was at last serene.
It was then we were able to survey
The bloody and grisly scene.
The dead and the wounded were littered
Most everywhere you could see.
There was sadness in spite of victory
For dead friends --- and enemy.
It's hell when you stop to consider
The price that was dearly paid
For this lousy chunk of God's green earth
That on a lonely island laid.
Many a man paid the maximum price
He forfeited his life for the toll.
And all he got forevermore
Was a plot on the big "Grassy Knoll."
