by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
They told us we were "Marines"
Way back in '42.
They said they had a job they thought
That we could really do.
They gave us guns and bayonets,
"C" rations and some cigarettes.
They hauled our sorry asses south,
No destination word of mouth,
Dumped us off at old 'Canal
And said, "We'll see ya later, pal!"
Well, we whipped their asses
In a few long months,
I can say it was not fun.
Those little bastards
That we fought,
Knew how to use a gun!
The hardest battles
That we fought
Now have famous names:
From "Porkchop" to "Bloody Ridge"
And then to the "Tenaru."
Across the bay,
On that "D" day,
Was Tulagi and Guvutu.
That was back some sixty years,
And to this day I find,
I see it and hear it
All within my mind.
I guess I never will forget
Nor never will I try.
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**About the author: Robert Cook served with Reg. Weapons Co.(2d-2d) from 1942~44, at Guadalcanal & Tarawa, during a 33-month overseas tour.
