Wallace M. Littlejohn: NC Marine Aviation Mechanic at Okinawa
By Matthew M. Peek, Military Collection Archivist, State Archives of North Carolina
On this date 75 years ago — April 1, 1945 — Allied land operations against the Japanese at the Battle of Okinawa began. The last great land battle in the Pacific Theater in World War II before what was believed to need to be an invasion of mainland Japan, the Battle of Okinawa was one of the most ferocious, costly battles of the Pacific. The Battle of Okinawa has been described as the bloodiest battle of the Pacific Theater, including the commanding generals on both sides. There were about 49,000 American casualties, with 12,000 deaths. There were between 90,000 and 100,000 Japanese military combatants killed at the battle. The battle also saw what some estimate to be up to 150,000 casualties of Okinawan civilians.
The battle was mostly fought on land by the U.S. Marine Corps and Army units; and at sea by U.S. Navy ships that continually supplied the ground forces and transported the wounded off the island. The Navy struggled against Japanese kamikaze planes attacking them, as early as five days before the land battle commenced. Navy personnel on ships held around the clock deck watches, and manned anti-aircraft artillery guns — many who had never fired a Navy deck gun took them over in the midst of casualties and lack of available personnel during the prolonged battle. What made the Battle of Okinawa so costly was the length of time, due to the strong dug in nature of the Japanese forces on the island: the battle lasted from April 1 to roughly June 21, 1945 — almost a full three months.
As a personal aside, my work with military veterans of WWII who served in the Pacific Theater leads me to the conclusion that between the two great battles of the spring of 1945 — Iwo Jima and Okinawa — a lot of Marines, Army, Army Air Forces, and Navy personnel may have missed Iwo Jima, but I have yet to speak to one who missed Okinawa or didn’t arrive towards the end of the battle at Okinawa to see the devastation. Both were awful, but Okinawa left an indelible mark on the minds of so many WWII veterans I have encountered.
We are lucky in North Carolina to have a typescript diary documenting the entire Battle of Okinawa. The diary was kept by U.S. Marine Corps aviation mechanic Wallace M. Littlejohn of Rutherford County, N.C. In March 1945, he was stationed as a buck sergeant on Roi Island in the Marshall Islands, working as a Marine Corps aviation mechanic with the Marine Fighting Squadron 311 (VMF-311).
On March 8, 1945, Littlejohn and his unit left Roi Island for Saipan, where they arrived on March 24, 1945. His ship arrived in the harbor at Okinawa on April 2, 1945, after which his unit was involved in the Battle of Okinawa for the duration of the battle. Even though he was an aviation mechanic, Littlejohn also fought the Japanese and spent a lot of time in foxholes all over Okinawa. He would be stationed at a Seabee-built Allied airfield on the island, which he and his unit had to defend against Japanese land forces. Okinawa was the first real combat that Littlejohn is believed to have seen, as he got into the Pacific Theater in late 1944 or early 1945.
Instead of trying to string together tales from his service in the battle into some sort of narrative, it seems wiser on this 75th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa to let Wallace Littlejohn’s diary entries speak for themselves. We begin with Littlejohn’s April 1, 1945, diary entry before he arrived at Okinawa, and follow his first week at Okinawa.
Littlejohn Okinawa Diary Entries
Sunday, April 1, 1945: I gave up, let my sack stay in rain and went below and slept where I could find a place. This is Sun. but weather too bad for services [chapel services on deck of ship]; had 2 minutes silence in prayer. Can’t be far from Okinawa. Suppose to arrive in the morning for sure. Had gun watch [deck guns on ship] today from 1600 ‘till 1730; have it again in the morning from 0400 ‘till 0800. Everybody on alert, guns loaded. So this is what I’ve seen in movies, news-reels and read so much about. I can’t believe it’s real.
Monday, April 2, 1945: This morning from 0400 ‘till 0800 I was on gun watch on no. 2 at bow [of ship]; saw anti-aircraft at Okinawa miles away. Passed one island being invaded by fairly large force, came close to shore, saw Jap village near shore. Arrived at Okinawa harbor at 1200 and Boy! I have never seen or ever heard of so many ships. Battle-ships, Cruisers, Destroyers, D.E.’s [destroyer escort] and transports by the hundreds. Pulled up near coast right in middle of Battle-ships shelling our target, Okinawa, and it was a sight to behold. We’re still sitting in harbor, going to land in the morning. Just came down from deck where I watched battle for awhile, bombs, shells, anti-aircraft and flares lighting up whole country. I just want to tell how I feel but for some strange reason I’m very calm and don’t have the nervous fear that I expected. Had several alerts. Heard tonight there were 1400 ships involved and it looks it. Heard 100,000 soldiers coming in on lower end of island and 45,000 Marines here where I am. Planes flying over all time; airplane carrier must be offshore apiece. Sitting here waiting I hear the bombs bursting and I feel the concussion. What a night. No one seems so terribly interested, playing checkers, cards etc. . .
Two hospital ships pulled in, Solace and Comfort. We’re in China Sea. Don’t know about casualties as yet. Wonder what Helen’s thinking; I know she’s heard about this invasion over radio. Wonder if she thinks I’m here. Heard they kicked Hitler out. It’s 0200, Monday night now. No sleep, destroyer 50 yards off fan-tail blasting away at hills. Either someone got trigger happy or it was a Jap plane, because a 20 mm. [gun] started strafing our ship and the destroyer beside us. I was on top deck and “brother”, I hit the deck. What a night.
Tuesday, April 2, 1945: Early this a.m. before day-break, a Jap Bogie (bomber) came over dropping bombs, ships laid smoke screen over harbor and gave us protection. Slept on bench in swabbes writing room 2 hours last night. Our L.S.T. [landing ship, tank] has pulled up within 500 yards of beach, can’t land as yet, tide not right and fighting too close. Sitting here on deck I can see Marines firing mortars, cannons and machine guns; also see tanks, can see Jap position in hills. Things pretty hot and dangerous here in harbor, rather be on shore. Shelling wwent on all night. Our planes have been strafing Japs all morning, very near us here on ship. Heard John Q. Public [i.e. the general public] received news of invasion. I feel just as calm as I did yesterday — not excited at all. As many ships here as at Normandy beach invasion in France. I didn’t miss biggest show after all. Late tonight we had three air raids, don’t know damage. Lots of anti-aircraft; Battleships, Destroyers and Cruisers continue to shell hills. It’s a continuous noise, rumble and roar. I’m watching battle from ship; wish I was ashore because out here we’re a perfect target. I want to be where I can move. Beach congested and we couldn’t land today.
Wednesday, April 4, 1945: Slept on card table in Swabbies quarters last night. Also last night our planes shot down 10 Jap bombers trying to get to us. Shelling and bombing continued all night long, not much rest. Our L.S.T. 343, pulled up as close as possible this morning to shore which was about 300 yards and we hit a coral reef. We went ashore in an amphibian tractor this p.m. and hauled rock to fill large hole in front of the big retractable door on the front end of the ship so our vehicles could go ashore. They finally decided to move ship to another place. All that work for nothing. We did get some equipment ashore and our seabags. It’s mid-night now and we pulled into a new place. Probably finish unloading tomorrow and go to Yontan Air field for good. Gets pretty cold at night. Eighty-five thousand Japs on Okinawa sure taking a beating. No air-raids tonight as yet; awfully tired, may sleep on floor, cot and bed-roll ashore. Think about Helen always. If I could just see her once. Would sure like a letter. Keep wondering if she knows I’m here. Still haven’t been least bit excited. God answered my prayer again. What a Friend; couldn’t stand it with-[out] Him.
Thursday, April 5, 1945: That old card table in Swabbies quarters is becoming a real friend, slept on it again last night; awfully hard but after awhile, it softens up a little. A guy can get use to anything. Big storm today and terribly cold, couldn’t beach. Stayed below, played checkers slept awhile and read a book, “The Book Nobody Knows” by Bruce Barton, very interesting. Some ‘knocker’ stole my big knife, hope he’s satisfied. Two G.Q. [General Quarters] (alerts) today; Jap planes can’t get through our defense, I’m glad. Shelling and bombing continues; Marines have taken four fifths of designated area. Army on southern end of island meeting still resistance, not advancing very fast. What other excuse could they have. If Marines had been there and the Army here, the Army would say, “Meeting stiff resistance”. I don’t know what it is but there’s something about a Marine, his training, code, or leadership that makes him unstoppable; not bragging, just stating facts.
Boys getting very impatient staying aboard ship. Wish we could hit beach and get ball rolling. Bob Leavengood always playing checkers with Thomas Leamer, very close friends of mine. Bob can’t really play as good as Tom and Tom knows this by watching him play other boys but Poor old Tom can never beat Bob and it kills his soul. I’m a little older than most of these boys and have played quite a bit of checkers so I stand behind Bob and punch him to let him know where to move. A guy’s got to have a little fun. When all these ships are unloaded this island will be one large compound. Part of boys on airfield putting up tents; wish I was there. Our ship run aground and knocked large hole in bottom; water-pumps going full blast. I just broke my watch crystal. I love my wife; continue to think of her just as though we were married yesterday. Wish war would end, homesick. I want to begin to live, not just exist but I’m willing as long as God wants it this way.
Friday, April 6, 1945: Pound a bunk last night but nearly froze to death, slept very little. This has been a very eventful day. Things quiet until late this P.M. Just as we started to unload, Jap planes started coming over, one behind the other and this time they did quite a bit of damage. Sank one destroyer, one L.S.T., and one L.C.M. [Landing Craft Mechanized] and a few other ships. There was so much smoke and fire I couldn’t see exactly the kind of ships all of them were. Every Jap plane was shot down. One Zero came from the east which is the shore from I am, and he flew right across the top our ship about 400 yards high. Every gun in the harbor let loose on him. The sky was full of flak and smoke. They filled him full and he dived onto harbor near hospital ship “Solace”. I was standing by 40 mm. gun and taking it all in. Three boys on L.S.T. beside ours, 20 yards away, were wounded. About that time more Jap planes came in from the north but they were shot down before they got started. We shot down 16 planes in those very few minutes. Just before this, as we were eating chow, an L.S.T. on our left had an amm. [ammunition] box to explode. I was standing on deck and it blew the food right out of my mess gear. The ship caught fire but it was soon extinguished.
As planes were coming over, some of the guys went below like greased lightening, dived through port-holes head first. I’d rather be on deck. I don’t want to get caught below. Some of the guys were awfully excited and scared. I don’t deserve the credit, God does, but I wasn’t the least bit excited. I was smoking a cigarette and eating mint drops. I felt as though God were standing beside me. We’re working all night unloading, should finish tomorrow. I’m going back to boat deck now. Thinking of Helen, hope she isn’t worried; I’m not. Just heard capt. on L.S.T. on our left was killed this afternoon when amm. box exploded. The exec. officer was wounded. Bullets were flying everywhere. Our Carrier planes shot down 49 Jap planes this P.M. That makes 65 planes all totaled for today. Reason I’m writing now is because we’re expecting another raid. Radar picked up Jap planes headed this way. It’s 3:30 Sat. morning now, all unloading stopped, all lights out and guns manned. Hope we all come through this OK. Never knew there was so much amm. aboard, 700 tons. It’s a regular arsenal below. Found a good Webster fountain pen yesterday.
Saturday, April 7, 1945: Right after I finished writing last night I fell asleep and slept through raid, no damage as I know of. Alert over at 6 a.m. Ate chow and went back to unloading amm. The boxes weigh 100 lbs. each; worked all day until 2 p.m. loading ducks [military duck boats] and amph. Tractors. Our L.S.T. is 400 yards from the beach and the vehicles go through the water to the ship. Came ashore at 2:30 p.m. to airstrip. Found a large shell hole, my home for the night. Seabees working like mad on airstrip. Dust so thick it looks like a heavy fog. Leamer staying in shell crator with me. Sitting on ground writing this now about 4:00 p.m. Leavengood beside me digging fox-hole, I’m too tired. Haven’t had two hours since day before yesterday. Just finished empt[y]ing a truck at the amm. dump; found a Jap diary. Our M.A.G (Marine Air Group) planes are landing now, coming from the Carriers in the harbor. Sure looks good to see our F4U’s [Vought F4U Corsair fighter aircraft]. Jap snipers still around. We wear our helmets always. Only food is K rations. There’s a lot of dead Japs just across the way; also some dead livestock. Just passed a Jap girl civilian coming up road carrying her belongings headed for the beach where they have to stay now. Need shave and I’m covered in dust. Lots of nats and mosquitos.
Jap houses have thatched roofs. This looks like good farm land; lots of trees but don’t know what kind. Oh yes! One of our planes, F4U, came over harbor this a.m. and a sailor on L.S.T. must have been scared or excited and thought it was a Jap plane. He opened up on him and shot the plane down but the pilot bailed out and was picked up OK. Expect raids to start shortly. I’m thankful to be off that L.S.T. It was just like being on a keg of dynamite. If a bomb had hit it they never would have found any of us. I just put out a little fire I made. I made some coffee and heated some canned ham and eggs. It was a very nice supper. The reason I put out fire was because Jap planes are approaching. I made a dived for my fox-hole where I now am writing this and waiting on Japs. It has started to rain, guess I’ll get wet. Our planes shot down Jap bomber on way from Carrier. Good start, eh! Played game of checkers after chow. No one is excited as yet. Must be getting use to everything. Think of wife always. Would like to see her now.
Selection of Post-April 7, 1945, Diary Entries to End of Battle of Okinawa
Friday, April 13, 1945: Very little sleep last night, Jap planes circling field at distance but they didn’t get in close because out anti-aircraft [artillery] kept them off. Our large arch-lights really puts the beam on them. Bombs and shells bursting all night; flares getting closer and closer. Wonder what’s going on in Naha [area of Okinawa]? Casualties mounting. Our sqd. Has lost no planes as yet. I’m glad. Marine gunner, Strachen, Woke us up at 4 o’clock this A.m. Started planes, some took off, condition red but no Jap planes. Army P61 [Northrop P-61 Black Widow night fighter aircraft] sqd. due in (night fighters). Wish they’d hurry. Ground fighting getting closer to field. Katina field 1 ½ miles south took beating last night by Jap mortar fire. Hauled belly tanks from near beach this a.m. We were swiping them for our planes but they belonged to MAG 33. They found out we had them so now they’re gone.
Roads in terrible condition; ground drying by degrees. Gunner gave a few of us the afternoon off; told us to sack out. Filled helmets (as usual) and washed all over, put on clean scivvies (underwear), socks and shirt. Feel lots better. Shaved neck in front, growing beard like Abe Lincoln, lots of the boys are. Sleep with clothes on last night; had to get up once to go to foxhole. Heard today Roosevelt was dead. Pray to God it’s not true. That would be a catastrophe. Leavegood still in sick-bay, must have malaria. Leaver just off 8 hour guard post.
Received two letters from wife, wonderful, best I ever received. Also got an Easter card from Mom and a letter from Vent Cogsdell. Our field kitchen is in operation now but chow no good. Ate with Seabees tonight. Since we turned in mess gear not enough to go around. Have tray Badder gave me on boat, knife and fork but no spoon. Can hardly see now to write. Had to stop a few minutes ago, Jap plane came in close. Ten of us dived into a new foxhole we made late this p.m. Anti aircraft opened up and the search lights were flashing all over. Don’t know whether we got him or not. Bullets whizzing over top of foxhole. We just sit in the dark and talk about everything in general. Another alert, lights out; this is becoming a personal war; can’t even keep my diary, stay busy running to foxhole. Japs captured one of our howitzers and used it on us last night. Looks like 4th July all night, every night!
No rest, gets a man down after awhile. Our sqd. [squadron] shot down a Jap plane late this afternoon; don’t know who get credit. Heard we lost a Battleship and Cruiser this morning. Have to get up at 4 o’clock in the morning, that is if I ever go to sleep. Still taking atabrine [anti-malaria drug with side effects]. Going to put top on foxhole tomorrow if we have time. The only light I have now at night to write by is a big can filled with dirt with gasoline in it. It’s a lazy kind of a blaze but it’s all I’ve got. Three red tracer bullets is the signal for condition red which means “It’s every man for himself”. One red tracer means all is clear. Hope to write a letter tomorrow. Read Bible some today; first time since here. Love wife more every day. If I could only hear her voice.
Sunday, April 22, 1945: Quiet and peaceful all day as usual. Several large transports and six P38’s [Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft] came in today. Off guard at 2 o’clock last night, bed at 2:30 and up at six o’clock for chow. Put clothes in soak and hit sack again ’til 10:30. Walked up to cemetery. Three young boys laying on stretchers, partially covered with blankets. Blood everywhere; flies swarming over them. One of the boys had his upper body blown off; smell was a sweet, sickening odor; pitiful sight. Bury them like dogs; throw shoes in piles; wrap boys in blanket and roll socks up over trousers. Saw one grave marked, William C. Duke; wonder if he’s any of wife’s relations. Slept in foxhole all night with another pal, Chester Adessa, from New York. Planes came over only once. First decents night sleep since here. Goodnight.
Friday, April 27, 1945: Fairly warm, few showers, worked pretty hard this afternoon but not this morning. Few boys off this afternoon. We had another hoppy-de-skip night, one to turn a man’s hair gray and wrinkle his face. Moon full; perfect for Japs and a few clouds for their planes to hide behind. First alert at 7:30. Got orders from captain Cragon to stay out of tent, take rifle and amm. and keep low in foxhole, expected raids all night and we were’nt disappointed. Jap bombers and fighters kept coming over bombing and strafing; no night fighters are up to intercept; what do we have them for. Night fighters are a joke. Anti-aircraft missing everything that comes over. Radar guns are joke too. Japs dropping phosphorus bombs; hard to put out. A 100 lb. bomb hit a boy on hind quarters, sent for Father Garriety; suppose he died.
Seven of us crowded in foxhole; ground damp, keep spraying with mosquitoe repellent but they keep biting. Talk awhile about this and that when planes leave. Then they zoom back; some guys want to see, stick heads out door; awfully dangerous with ack-ack [gun] and strafing filling the Air. One large transport hit in harbor; bombs falling at different parts of field. Japs really know where to drop. Came back to tent, try to sleep; 15 minutes later back to foxhole. Five different raids all night; might have slept 1 ½ hours. Where’s our relief? Army withdrawn from Okinawa; couldn’t produce with 100,000 men. Sending in two division of Marines; approximately 30,000 to finish the job. What has McArthur got to say? Boys awfully nervous, sleeply and tired.
Tuesday, May 8, 1945 [Victory in Europe Day]: Slept wonderful last night; rainred hard and still is. Water running under edge of tent; will dig trench around tent when weather clears. Wrote two letters this a.m. Boys all sacking out. No raid last night — not even an alert; wonderful. Read base news-letter today and heading said, “Marines up to old tricks again — passing Buckner”. General Buckner is in charge of army operations here. Marines had to go down to start ball rolling. Sending wife souvenirs. Greenstreet still in tent with us. Doesn’t want to swap with Leamer. Magnificent, wonderful, colossal, gigantic, stupendous and glorious news — Germany surrenders! ‘Praise the Lord’. This time I know it’s true. Heard news late this p.m. Everyone elated, happy and silly. Do you blame us?
Tuesday, June 19, 1945: Last time I saw my wife was one year ago today. Remember wiring for extension but couldn’t get it. Never forget how she looked standing in front of drug store as I pulled away on bus. She had tears in her eyes and I had a big lump in my throat. She was beautiful. I love her. Hay fever awfully bad last night and I feel pretty bad this morning. Cloudy last night today. Still no rain and we need it badly. Our M.A.G. suppose to move to Kim shortly. Kim is about 15 miles northeast of here. They say it’s much and I sure hope so. I’m awfully blue for some reason, don’t want to talk. Can’t understand unless I’m tired. Two alerts last night but saw no planes. Finished “The Robe” [a 1942 historical novel about the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, written by Lloyd C. Douglas] tonight. Going to read it again when I get home. Received a box of candy from Mary, my sister-in-law. Very sweet of her.
Thursday, June 21, 1945: Slept very well last night but still sleep with clothes on. Some don’t but they’re just taking chances. Not me. Had a little rain this a.m. but weather very warm. No news of any interest. Still on engine change [for aviation unit]. Expect to finish today or at least my part. Suppose to be at new field in two weeks. Lots of work, pack and then unpack. Will it ever end? Often wonder if there ever will be peace all over the world. Owe lots of letters but can’t write for alerts and too tired anyway. Today, Okinawa is supposed to be officially secreted. That don’t stop air-raids. Oh well, it’s something anyway. Hap Arnold (General) here today. Wonder what’s up. Have guard-duty tonight from 8 ‘till 11. Seems as though I have it every night. Gets awfully monotonous. Moon nearly full tonight, we’ll see what happens. It’s these moon lit nights that drive us crazy. The Jap sit up there in the air looking down at us and we can’t see them. It’s just like frog gigging with a bright flashlight, we’re the frogs. Give me a good old cloudy night anytime, especially if it’s raining. But sometimes that doesn’t even stop them. Cross your fingers, I’m sleepy.
To experience all of the Battle of Okinawa through a North Carolinian’s eyes, you can read all of Wallace Littlejohn’s Okinawa diary entries online here through the digital WWII collection of the North Carolina Digital Collections, a joint effort of the State Archives of North Carolina and State Library of North Carolina. This diary is from the Wallace M. Littlejohn Papers (WWII 60) in the World War II Papers of the Military Collection at the State Archives of North Carolina.
Resources
- Wallace M. Littlejohn Papers, WWII 60, WWII Papers, Military Collection, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, N.C.
- “Campaign Collections: Okinawa,” Archives Branch, Simmons Marine Corps History Center, viewed online at https://grc-usmcu.libguides.com/c.php?g=806488&p=6068271.
- Roy E. Appleman, James M. Burns, and Russell A. Gugeler, Okinawa: The Last Battle, United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific series, U.S. Army Center of Military History, 1993, viewed online at https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/okinawa/index.htm.
- “Battle of Okinawa” article, Encyclopaedia Britannica, updated March 25, 2020, viewed online at https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Okinawa.
- “Iwo Jima and Okinawa: Death at Japan’s Doorstep” article, National WWII Museum, July 10, 2017, viewed online at https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/iwo-jima-and-okinawa-death-japans-doorstep.
