A Warriors Long Journey to China

By Vernon B. Bushway, Jr

“A Warriors Long Journey to China”
By Vernon B. Bushway Jr.
(This Novel inspired by the life of Edward K. Kraus a Marine Raider)
The time is early 1941 and Edward Karl (Ed) is a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and is transferred to San Diego California from the China Marines.
Ed is assigned to a new elite group being formed called “Carlson’s Raiders” named after the Commander of the group Lieuteant Colonel Carlson. This new group will be trained in special amphibious operations in rubber boats behind enemy lines.
While stationed at San Diego Ed meets a Navy Nurse Jean Murphy, who is stationed at the North Island Naval Base Hospital. They fall in love, and plan to be married when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, in the Hawaii Islands, on December 7, 1941 and all their plans are changed, and World War II begins.
Carlson’s Raiders are sent to Pearl Harbor to begin special operations throughout the South Pacific against the Japanese forces. Ed’s first mission is aboard the submarine Natutilis, to gather intelligence on the Japanese held island of Butaritari in the Makin Atoll, located in the Gilbert Islands
Later in the year Ed and the rest of the Battalion return to the Makin Atoll and Butaritari aboard two submarines and conduct a brutal campaign to destroy the Japanese’s Sea Plane base and personnel on the island.
Once Ed returns to Pearl Harbor from the Makin Raid, he takes leave and returns to San Diego. Upon his return, he and Jean change their plans regarding their marriage and were married at the Coronado Hotel in San Diego.
Upon Ed’s return from his leave, the Carlson’s Raider Battalion is deployed to the forward supply base, Espirito Santo in the New Hererdies, for new training for their next mission, which is behind enemy lines on the Island of Guadalcanal.
During this thirty-day campaign on Guadalcanal, Ed is wounded and sent back to the hospital in Pearl Harbor, for treatment for his wounds and reconnects with his wife Jean Murphy Karl, who has been transferred from North Island to the hospital in Pearl Harbor.
Ed spends forty-five days recuperating from his wounds and spending time with his new wife. He is then sent back to Espirito Santo to rejoin the Battalion.
Jean, hearing of a new opening in the Silver Stream Naval Hospital in Wellington New Zealand applies for a transfer to Wellington so she may be near her husband a possibly to together, which they do in the city of Noumea in New Caledonia. And later in Wellington New Zealand
The Battalion’s next mission is the invasion of Bougainville, which is the last mission for the Carlson’s Raiders do to all of the four Raider Battalions disbandment in January 1944 and the four Raider Battalions are assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment whereas the 2nd Raider Battalion (Carlson’s Raiders) becomes the 4th Regimental Special Weapons Battalion and later he is assigned to a new formed Marine Division the 6th Marine Division
The next Campaigns Ed is involved in after Guadalcanal are Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Emirau, Guam, Tinian and finally the island of Okinawa.
In August of 1945, the War in the Pacific is over and everyone is ready to go home except the 6th Marine Division, which Ed is a part of and the 1st Marine Division, are deployed to China Occupation to resettle American Prisoners of War, the Japanese are holding and to accept the surrender of Japanese Military Personnel.
The war is not over for Ed, and the 6th Marine Division. Ed and his squad again are now involved in fighting the Chinese Communists who are attacking the Tientsen-Peping railroad supply trains.
Finally, after serving overseas from 1942 to 1946 Ed returns home where he and his wife reunited and settle down to civilian life in their new home on Coronado Island.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vernon B. Bushway, Jr
• Release date: Jun 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311744654

Book preview

Chapter One;

The Beginning:

Coronado Island San Diego California:

My name is Edward Karl; my wife Jeannie and I live on Coronado Island, in San Diego California, since our separation from military service in 1946. Our family, after all these years has finally convinced us to tell the story of our experiences in World War Two.

I was a Marine Gunnery Sergeant in Carlson’s Raiders, Second Raider Battalion, until the Raiders were disbanded February 1, 1944 and then assigned to a Marine Special Weapons Battalion the remainder of the War, which was the former 2nd Raider Battalion and Jeannie, was a United States Navy Nurse.

The Marine Raiders were elite units established, by the United States Marine Corps, during World War II, to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare behind enemy’s lines and conducting various combat missions particularly in landing on enemy island shores in rubber boats. Edson’s Raiders was the name of the 1st Marine Raiders Battalion and Carlson’s Raiders was the name of the 2nd Marine Raiders Battalion and are said to be the first United States Special Operations Forces to be formed and see combat in World War II.

March 2, 1942: Off Butaritarai Island, Makin Atoll South Pacific:

It was 0100 hours when the submarine I was aboard began to surface in the black of the early morning. The ocean was rough with phosphorescent whitecaps and we were 400 yards off the shore of the Japanese held island of Butaritari, in the Makin Atoll, which is located in the Gilbert Islands.

My mission, according to my Lieutenant, was to gather intelligence information, by capturing a Japanese Officer or a Senior Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) and return him to the sub for interrogation by Commander J. S. Hollingsworth, who would try to gather information for the planning of an offensive operation later in the year. I would accomplish this mission by selecting three men from my squad, board a large rubber boat, along with our weapons, which were stored in the forward torpedo room of the Submarine Nautili’s.

The Island loomed ominous in the distance, a dark shadow at this time of the morning, as the four of us emerged from the forward hatch of the submarine. The Island we were about to land on consists of a Japanese Seaplane Base with seventy-three Naval Air Force personnel with only light weapons, so I was not too worried about this mission, just in and out!

We slipped the boat over the side of the sub after inflation, boarded our latest mode of transportation, a rubber boat with its six horsepower outboard motor for emergency use only, and paddled toward the distant shore to capture our Japanese Officer. As we approach the beach, I said in a whisper.

Jenkins, keep you paddle quite, I do not want the Japs to hear us coming ashore.

Right Gunny.

Okay guys, get ready to land and we beached the boat.

Wills and Jack, pull the boat into the bushes and we will head out for the Jap camp, as indicated on our map.

Okay Gunny.

We started toward our objective, after the boat was well hidden, in the undergrowth at the edge of the Jungle. We moved out in single file, along a narrow well-traveled path, through the Jungle undergrowth while keeping a sharp lookout for any Jap sentries. I took the lead, since I was the most experienced in this type of mission. Wills was bringing up the rear with his BAR on this four-man mission. The only thing you could hear were the night sounds, it was very dark, and no moon tonight and the heat, even at this time of the morning was intense. We walked a short way when I whispered.

Hold up guys, I see lights from the camp ahead. Spread out to the right off the trail and go forward very slowly to the edge to the camp clearing.

Okay Gunny.

We moved in to the thickness of the Jungle trying not to make any noise. Luckily, the foliage was not as thick as before, so we were able to move forward without too much trouble. We reach the edge of the clearing and the first thing we encountered was a sentry standing to our right, smoking a cigarette talking to another man. Not much attention to security I thought, they probably were not expecting anything like what was about to happen.

Jack, take the one on the left and I’ll take the one on the right, no sounds from either, on three.

I counted three very quietly and we both took our man with our combat knife across the throat, not a sound was uttered.

The map I had for this mission, indicated the Headquarters Building was located off to our left about thirty yards near the edge of the clearing. I indicated with a hand signal to move forward along the edge of the clearing until we were adjacent to the building. The building was typicality what you would find in a Jungle location, raised off the ground about three feet, on wooden pillars for cooling and a thatch palm roof and bamboo sidings around the perimeter. I turned to Jenkins, who could speak Japanese.

"Jenkins, crawl under the building and see if you can determined how many people are in there and if possibly their rank by the conversations."

Okay Gunny.

The three of us watched Jenkins move forward toward the building and crawl under it. All was quite except for the Jungle night noises, which was good. If the noises stopped, it might alert the Japs. What seemed for an eternity, we finally saw Jenkins returning, crawling on his stomach.

Gunny there is one Officer, I think a Captain and a Radio Operator who is a Sergeant, there doesn’t seem to be anyone else.

Okay the three of us, Jack, Jenkins and me will go to the building; I’ll take the Officer, Jack kills the Radio Operator, and Jenkins smashed the radio equipment, I do not want any radio signals leaving the area. Wills, you remain here with the BAR and cover us if anything gets screwed up.

Roger that Gunny.

The three of us moved very slowly across the clearing to the Headquarters Building. We crawled under the building moving toward the steps at the front entrance.

We all go in at once.

Okay Gunny.

We crept up the five steps without a sound and stood on each side of the entrance, there was no door. Then I said GO and we rushed in, I took the Officer, whose back was to the door, with a hand chop to the back of his neck that knocked him out. Jack took care of the Radio Operator in our usual fashion with his Combat Knife and Jenkins smashed the radio gear. This all happened within in a few seconds. I checked the Officer to see if he was still alive, which he was, so I bound and gagged him so he could not alert the camp. I picked the officer up, threw him over my shoulder, and said.

Jack, check the area outside of the building for any activity.

Looks all quite.

Great let’s go home!

We arrived back at the beach pickup point, gave the sub our radio signal and we were on our way. We launched the boat off the beach; silently paddled toward the area I thought the sub might be located. Suddenly a dark object rose slowly out of the backwaters and we all felt a sigh of relief. We boarded the sub in few minutes, placed our gear, deflated boat back in the forward torpedo room, and breathed a sigh of relief.

When the Nautili’s arrived back at Pearl Harbor, the Commander was able to give his extensive report to the intelligence group, since he convinced the Japanese Officer to fully cooperate, during the interrogation on the submarine. The four of us were provided a thirty-day furlough, which we could take in San Diego if we wanted too. Jack, Jenkins, and Wills opted to stay on Oahu, but I wanted to see the girl I planned to marry in San Diego and was able to catch a PBY Catalina Flying Boat out the next day.

Chapter Two:

Return to San Diego;

0800 Hours March 25, 1942 Pearl Harbor Oahu Hawaii:

I boarded the PBY at Pearl Harbor, for the 2,530-mile flight to North Island Naval Air Station, located at the San Diego Naval Base.

The Consolidated PBY has two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engines installed in the wing’s leading edge, just aft of the cockpit, which made this a very noisy aircraft. The range on the PBY was so good the flight was nonstop to San Diego. We took off at 0800 hours; I sat back in the hard seat and started thinking about Jeannie, who I would call on the phone, soon as I landed at North Island.

Her full name is Jean Murphy and she is a Civilian Nurse at the Naval Hospital. I met Jeannie at a roller rink in San Diego California, when I was reassigned from the China Marines, in Shanghai, to the Naval Base at San Diego in September 1941.

The reason for the reassignment was for specialized training in a new Commando Group that was being formed in the near future. This group would become the 2nd Raider Battalion of Carlson’s Raider’s, which was named after its Commander, Lieuteant Colonel Evan Carlson.

The Naval Base is adjacent to the City of San Diego, so Jeannie and I saw each other all the time, in fact almost daily, at the rink or dining out in restaurants. We fell in love and were engaged to be married, but December 7th. happened, the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, by the Japanese. The 2nd Raider Battalion was ordered to ship out for the Hawaiian Islands. We decided we would delay our marriage until when I returned home after the war was over

The PBY rose out of the blue Pacific Waters of Pearl Harbor and roared on for hours over the white capped Pacific Ocean, and finally off the right wing of the aircraft the North Island Naval Base appeared in San Diego Bay. I noticed the water in the bay, where we were to land was smooth as glass.

We landed after ten hours in flight and taxied to the unloading dock. I headed

for the pay telephone, which was located at the shore landing area next to the Harbor Masters office and called Jeannie.

Jeannie this is Ed, how are you?

Oh my God, where on earth are you, I haven’t heard from you in weeks!

"I am at the Harbor Masters office, at a pay phone and I want you to pick me

up at the North Island main gate."

You’re here in San Diego, I’ll be right down I can hardly wait to see you!

And the phone line went dead.

Jeannie lived in an apartment with another Navy Nurse five minutes from the main gate and her parents, also lived on Coronado Island near the Coronodo Hotel. Jeannie was twenty-two years old, five feet six inches tall, blond hair, blue eyes, weighed about hundred and twenty and was a real package to behold. So, at my six feet six inches and 190 pounds, at twenty-four years old, we made quite a pair walking down the street.

I finally caught a ride to the main gate and standing by her 1937 green Ford Convertible with a black top was the love of my life. We both rushed at each other, she planted one of her famous kisses on my face, and I said,

Jeannie I love you and let’s forget about waiting to be married, I want to do it now. I have thirty days before I have to report- back in to the Battalion in Hawaii.

Oh sweetheart yes, I didn’t want to wait in the first place!

I know, great! Let us go tell your Mom and Dad right now and make all the arrangements. We can have the Navy Chaplin marry us in the Base Chapel in a couple of days.

Sound wonderful let’s go!

We drove the short distance to Jeannie’s parents’ home with the top down, wind in our hair on a glorious day with a blue sky and the sun shining brightly on her smiling face.

We arrived at the Murphy’s home, which was a typical Spanish style stucco home built in the twenties in Southern California, two bedrooms, one bath, living room, dining room, kitchen and a two-car garage. We entered the house and Jeannie said.

Mom, Dad, look whose here, its Eddie in from Hawaii.

And her Mother said.

Ed, it’s so good to see you, such a surprise and I know Jeannie is very happy you’re here.

Good to see you too Mrs. Murphy and very unexpected also.

Jeannie, your Dad has gone to the store and will be back shortly.

That might be a good thing, we can inform each of you separately; Ed and I are going to be married right away. He has thirty day leave and we thought this is the right time considering all that’s going on in the world!

Oh my, now that really is a surprise, I am so happy for the both of you. Your Dad will be too. He always wondered why you had decided to wait until after the war.

The front door opened and in walked Jack Murphy, Jeannie’s father who also stood six feet tall, slender, and brown wavy hair.

Dad, look whose here.

Why hello Ed, when did you get in town?

Just arrived Mr. Murphy about a half hour ago, Jeannie picked me up at the gate.

Ed you’re looking great. How much time do you have?

Thirty days, Mr. Murphy.

Dad, Eddie and I have decided to get married right away instead of waiting until the War’s over.

Good idea, didn’t understand the waiting part before, but congratulations. Your Mother and I will do all we can to help out.

Dad, Eddie is going to call the Navy Chaplin and have him perform the Wedding Ceremony soon as possible, in the Navy Base Chapel. It will be a small Wedding with you and Mom and a few of my girlfriends. Eddie has no one around here to invite, there all over seas. We will inform Eddie’s parents in Wisconsin by phone, as soon as we know the date. Chances are they will not be able to make the Wedding, being farmers and all.

Look you two, your Mother and I would like to hold the Wedding at the Coronado Hotel and provide you three weeks in the Bridal Suite as your Honeymoon.

Oh Dad, that would be wonderful. What do you think Eddie?

That’s great, thank you so much!

The Murphy’s invited us for dinner, which we accepted. The first home cooked meal since I left for Hawaii.

The dinner was fantastic, barbequed steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, green salad and a fine Merlot from Sonoma to top off the meal. After dinner, Jeannie and I went for a drive around the bay and it was beautiful. The night was a warm with the full moon shining on the water with Point Loma in the distance.

As we drove, in the 1937 Ford with the top down, the warm wind on our faces, we decided we would arrange with the Navy Chaplin in the morning and set the Wedding for this coming Saturday. After talking with the Chaplin, we would drive to the San Diego City Hall and obtain our marriage license. In addition, Jeannie and her parents would call their closest friends and invite them to the Wedding, in lieu of invitations, time was of the essence. Our Honeymoon for three weeks, at the Coronado Hotel in the Bridal Suite would be fantastic and I would be indebted to the Murphy’s forever. The bridle suite consisted of a living room, small dining room, and large bedroom and a balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The other issue we decided, Jeannie would stay in her current apartment, which was near the Hospital, with her roommate until I returned from overseas. I told her I would arrange to send her 90% of my monthly pay home to put in the bank. In addition, she would receive a small monthly marriage allotment that she could also bank for the future toward a new house we would purchase when I returned home, since where I was going money would not be needed.

Chapter Three:

The Honeymoon At Hotel Del Coronado:

1000 Hours March 31, 1942 San Diego California:

The Wedding was on March 31, 1942, at Hotel Del Coronado in their Special Wedding Chapel. Jeannie was dressed in a long white silk gown with lace fringes around the collar and sleeves with a beautiful lace veil; she was the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life.

I had asked her before the Wedding how she was able to purchase such a beautiful dress on such short notice and she told me when we first were engaged she had the dress designed and had it put away until we were going to be married. I was dressed in my Marine Dress Blues, which I had brought along for the trip and I was a site to behold with my sword and all.

Mr. Murphy was to act as my best man, along with giving the bride away while Jeannie’s longtime friend and roommate acted as the Matron of Honor.

Jeannie’s parents, who were dressed smartly, Mr. Murphy in a Tux and Mrs. Murphy in a long blue gown, arrived along with a few of their close friends who had been invited. Jeannie had invited seven of her close friends from the hospital, who also helped the family through the Wedding arrangements.

The Chapel was not a large room, painted white, a high ceiling and nicely decorated with leaded glass windows, and beautiful flowers of white and red roses surrounding the alter where the Wedding Ceremony would be performed.

After the Navy Chaplin completed the Wedding Ceremony, the Murphy’s held a reception and dinner in one of the private dining rooms in the Hotel, with a three-piece combo providing music for dancing before dinner and afterward.

The dinner that was served, consisted of lentil soup to start, with a Cesar Salad, and the main course was roast leg of lamb with mint jelly, baked potatoes, vegetables, and dinner rolls. When everyone was through with their meal, Jeannie and I cut the three-tier Wedding Cake with two small figurines on the top and the combo started playing soft sentimental music in the background, while everyone enjoyed their cake and coffee.

The dancing started in earnest after Jeannie and I did our first dance with the combo playing a mixture of Glenn Miller music, which we both enjoyed. All the people attending the reception had a great time with the affair breaking up in the wee hours of the morning. Jeannie and I retired to the Bridle Suite, after saying our goodbye’s to guests, for our first night together.

Jeannie and I arose about 1100 hours and went down to the dining room to catch the Sunday brunch. After a brunch of eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit and loads of coffee, we headed out for a day at the hotels great beach, overlooking the blue Pacific. I thought to myself, I wonder where I will end up out in the Pacific when these three weeks are over.

We spent the our entire time at the hotel, dining at the great restaurants, and dancing every night to the music of the band, which played music of Glenn Miller and Arty Shaw in the main ballroom, enjoying the warm waters of the Pacific, but mostly making love at all times of the day. The next three weeks flew by and before I knew it, I had to report to North Island to catch my flight back to Hawaii.

It was hard parting from Jeannie and as I looked out the aircraft window, I saw tears running down her cheeks, while she watched the PBY skim across the blue water of San Diego Bay for my long flight back, not knowing if she would ever see me again!

Chapter Four:

Return to Hawaii From San Diego:

1500 Hours May 4, 1942 Pearl Harbor:

The flight from North Island was uneventful, which is good in my mind. When we landed at Pearl Harbor you could still see all the damage from the air, but