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Dutch Clarke
The War Years
Through a Bloody Lens
by
Brian Ratty
Copyright 2011 Brian Ratty,
All rights reserved.
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
More Information: www.DutchClarke.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-0184-3
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
My story is dedicated to all the men and women who lived their lives, gave their sweat, and spilled their blood during the turmoil and struggle of World War II. No greater generation ever walked the face of this Earth.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Dutch Clarke-The War Years is my second installment in a series of four books on the life and times of Dutch Clarke. The first book, The Early Years, was first published in 2002. More information on these books and any future releases can be found at www.DutchClarke.com.
Writing this series is a great adventure for me. I don’t write for profit or praise; I just enjoy telling a good story. If others find Dutch’s chronicles interesting, informative and entertaining, my rewards will have been realized. The War Years was especially challenging; the gold standard for war stories is quite high, with the likes of ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘Band of Brothers’ and many more. When I approached the writing of this book, I decided that historical events and places would help shape my characters while hopefully giving the reader a true feel for these tragic times. While wars are won with guns and bullets, they are also fought by men and women doing thousands of different jobs. Dutch becoming a combat photographer is but one such example.
Over sixteen million American plowboys and cowboys answered their country’s call by donning uniforms, with tens of thousands of American women also joining the ranks. Of this number, some 291,557 did not return home, and another 670,846 came back with scars and wounds that would haunt many of them for years to come. This war was a devastating disaster brought on by the Axis Powers of: Japan, Germany and Italy, exacerbated by peace-loving Americans who, early on, didn’t want to get involved. After December 7th of 1941, however, our country stood as one, determined to defeat this evil. The costs were horrible and the journey long, but in the end peace prevailed, and today America is free because of this greatest generation.
When many of these American soldiers returned home, with war still raging inside of them, they found a homeland at peace and prospering. Some, thinking it was as if the war years had just been forgotten, drank too much, had failed marriages, or suffered cold sweats and nightmares. Back then, we had no six-bit, politically correct terms for their condition; society offered them just one two-bit word: work. And work they did, building America into the economic powerhouse and free-world leader that it is today. We share our tomorrows because of their yesterdays.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To Bernard (Bernie) Olsen, my mentor, my friend, who spent his war years as a young Ensign on a Navy hospital ship and then, many years later, retired as a full Captain from the Naval Reserve. Bernie was a family man of peace, with kitchen-table wisdom and a determination to keep America strong. To Murray Wallace McBride (one of four McBride brothers to serve: Jerry in the Air Corp, killed in action; Jack in the Navy, and Jim in the Navy), my father-in-law, my friend, my business partner. Private McBride trekked across Europe as an Army replacement after the Battle of the Bulge. He was a young Montana boy who got seasick just looking at water and had to join the fight after weeks aboard a troop ship. Murray saw some of the first enemy jets and was fired upon by boys in German uniforms who had only wooden bullets for ammunition. Later, being one of the few soldiers that didn’t drink, he was put in charge of some captured German wineries. To Lt Colonel Richard Powers (Ret.), my friend and cameraman who, as a young Lieutenant, fought his way up the boot of Italy and served his country through Korea and beyond. His stories were as gripping as any book ever written. To Vern Vasey, a young Seabee, who saw action on Tinian and Saipan, and had stacks of fascinating pictures and hours of riveting stories. To Doctor Arnold Neely who performed dentistry in the jungles and surgery in the foxholes. And finally to my father, Dudley, and grandfather, Harry, who stayed at home working at the Naval air stations at both Warrenton and Tongue Point, Oregon. Like Rosie the Riveter, these men gave of their sweat and toil to keep the war effort moving. Most of these fine men are gone now, but their deeds, sacrifices and valor will not be forgotten.
These very special men were not extraordinary. They were just guys who answered their country’s call and later cast a large shadow on my path of life. These were men who went to war, not for abstract reasons, but for the reasons of family, friends and freedom. I only hope and pray that future generations will find that same grit, spirit and devotion.
Writing this book has been a three-year adventure, with the help of many people who contributed ideas, encouragement and direction. My son-in-law and friend, Rob Waibel, read some of the story, early on, and helped me better understand my style of writing. Each chapter, as I completed it, was edited by Judith Myers of EditAvenue.com. She was a wealth of ideas, inspiration and corrections. In one way or the other, she improved most of the text in my story without ever changing its sprit. Judith Myers is a professional editor in every since of the word. After she was done, I was fortunate to have John and Molly Wirch do the proofing. John is an expert historian about World War II, with a deep knowledge about the weapons used. He and I spent wonderful hours talking events, places and the tools of war. His charming wife Molly took the manuscript, asking questions about events while making grammar and typing corrections. How lucky I am to have them as friends. Map artist Scott MacNeill helped me with the illustrations and did a wonderful job. But, through it all, my main anchor and source of support was my wife of thirty-five years, Tess. Almost every morning, we would spend time talking about the book’s character development, grammar and vocabulary use. She reviewed and corrected every page before sending it off for professional editing, always with a smile, patience and words of encouragement. Thanks above all, and always, to my loving wife. Words have never been enough; she is my Rock of Gibraltar!
Having said that, it’s my name on the title page, and I’m responsible and accountable for every word.
Chapter One
We were a tiny speck floating in no particular direction across the vast Pacific. The cold ocean spray across my face jarred me awake. Groggy at first, I tried to regain my reality. Before my raft mates had fallen asleep, I had promised to be on watch, but then dozed off. The ocean was rolling with long swells, with a breeze out of the south. In my exhausted state, this pitching motion and fresh air had been just too much for me.
In the east, I could make out the first signs of the coming morning. The sky just above the horizon had a pink and amber glow. Sunrise would happen fast, as it always did in
