Okinawa battle sites tours offer peeks into island's history

Photo By Spc. Leigh Campbell | Bullet holes from the Battle of Okinawa remain in the Shisa statue at Tomori, Kochinda Town. The shisa is said to be the oldest village shisa of Okinawa. The Ryukyuan decoration is believed to protect Okinawans from evil.  

OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

02.09.2007

Story by Lance Cpl. Daniel Todd 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan -- Living on Okinawa provides a unique opportunity to gain more intimate knowledge of the largest amphibious assault and bloodiest World War II battle in the Pacific.

There are historic battle sites all over the island, many of which are featured at local parks such as Peace Memorial Park in Itoman and the Kakazu Park in Ginowan City.

An individual wanting to learn more about the Battle of Okinawa can travel to these well-known sites quite easily. They are well marked on roadways and most local maps.

But for those looking to visit some of the islands more remote battle sites, it is best done with an experienced tour guide, according to Gunnery Sgt. Richard Deuto, who sometimes leads tours for Marines and units here.

Most recently, Deuto, a history enthusiast with an in-depth knowledge of the Battle of Okinawa, led a tour for 20 Marines with the 3rd Marine Division staff as they toured eight sites throughout the southern part of Okinawa Jan. 23.

"Thanks to gunny's expertise, we were able to have an excellent tour," said Brig. Gen. Mastin Robeson, the 3rd Marine Division commanding general. "I encourage every Marine to take the opportunity to get out and take a tour of the battle sites, whether it is with (Marine Corps Community Services) or someone who is knowledgeable about the battle."

Deuto guided the Marines on the tour, which started at Kakazu Ridge. The steep ridge, which faces Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was the sight of some of the bloodiest fighting from April 8-24, 1945, he said.

The Marines then traveled to Urasoe Escarpment, Sugar Loaf Hill, Conical Hill, the Tomori Statue, the Japanese Cave Nurse's Memorial and Lt. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner's death site.

During the tour, Deuto explained in great detail the extreme difficulty the American forces faced due to the strategic planning of the Japanese. The troops faced an enemy whose defenses were deeply dug into the limestone cliffs and boasted mutually supporting gun positions and a wealth of artillery of various calibers.

A typical fortified ridge, like the ones the Marines visited, had Japanese machine-gun nests on the forward slope and on nearby rises that intersected avenues of approach. Troops advancing during the battle also faced deadly mortar shells from invisible positions on the reverse slopes.

Walking up the ridges and through the rough terrain proved difficult for the Marines during their tour, and many spoke out about how tough it must have been for the troops during the battle.

Deuto added even more to the picture as he described what the troops likely faced.

"Imagine how difficult (to advance) it was, with no paths or stairs leading up the ridges, while sinking into the ground which was like quicksand from the monsoon that hit the island," Deuto said. "Then imagine being under non-stop fire from all positions."

Not only did the Marines tour some of the difficult terrain, the American forces faced, they also explored the caves the Japanese lived in to understand the conditions they endured.

"There is no way I could have lived in there," said Gunnery Sgt. Darnell Hartwell. "We hardly had any room to move, and there were only about 20 of us. Having to live in there with hundreds of men in complete darkness would drive me insane."

After touring the ridges where so many men, both American and Japanese, lost their lives, the Marines headed to the Shisa at Tomori, Kochinda Town, the Nurses Cave Memorial and ended the tour at Buckner's death site.

The Shisa at Tomori is said to be the oldest village shisa on Okinawa and dates back to the 17th century.

The Ryukyuan decoration resembles a cross between a lion and a dog and is believed to protect people from evil. Bullet holes from the battle still remain in the statue.

The nurses' memorial pays tribute to the young Okinawan school girls and teachers who were forced into caves to be nurses for the Japanese soldiers. Many of the nurses committed suicide near the end of the battle because they were terrified of the American forces due to Japanese military propaganda that falsely warned of terrible acts committed by Americans against civilians.

At Buckner's death site, Deuto told the story of how the accomplished general met his end. Three mortars rained in on Buckner and his men as they were on top of the hill. Two went right over their heads but the third hit the front of the hill blasting coral and shrapnel into Buckner's chest, ending his life.

All the Marines enjoyed the tour and said that everyone living on Okinawa should take the opportunity to explore the battle sites.

MCCS Tours Plus offers regular battle sites tours with a knowledgeable tour guide. Tours are available for individuals and groups. More information is available by calling the Tours Plus office at 646-3502.

• Date Taken: 02.09.2007
• Date Posted: 02.09.2007 09:28
• Story ID: 9102
• Location: OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP