2 Men Left Behind Problems

The approximately 6 other guys had some of the same problems as we did and once fired their carbines, but all ended o.k. I wasn't always with the same man as we had odd rotations; but one time we two were sitting; one looking back and sideways and the other looking forward and sideways, with our carbines in our hands when we both, almost at the same time saw a funny movement in some tall grass; coming toward us! Japs, we thought! We whispered not to fire until they came into a clearing about 20 yards from us! The movement in the grass came closer and closer and we now aimed our carbines at the expected opening--and out came some wild chickens!!! We broke out in quiet nervous laughter. The guys all laughed at that one when we returned to base and told them. Still, it was serious business. Still later I was with a guy I didn't particularly like; he liked looking in all directions and I thought we did better with one looking one way and the other looking the other way. We had hardly gotten started when right in front of me I saw a Japanese soldier start across a clearing in the direction where the Chomorro was shot in the stomach. I told my partner I was going to shoot; lined up my carbine and shot; missed, and he broke into a run; I fired again and he fell! My partner fired just a second behind my second shot. He was almost out of the clearing when he fell. We weren't sure we hit him but we weren't about to go looking! We told the Lt. when we saw him and he reported this also. The Marine guards thought we were crazy and they were right! The squad should be split 4-4 if they couldn't take us all back! Won't happen though. The Lt. thought it was o.k. the way it was.