Inspecting the Japanese Tank

A few days had passed and we did what we could do to make it easier for the building of the Receiver Station. Then we decided to look at a Japanese 2 man tank; it was very small compared to U.S. tanks; we looked inside and wondered how the men could work in that small space, but then remembered how small the Japanese were. The tread on our side looked a little off, but we couldn't see structural damage, so it must have been disabled or run out of gas. There was another one at jungle edge. We always did a visual of everything each a.m. and all had looked o.k., so we were unprepared to see that the generator now only had one tarp! Oh, oh. Some Japs must have swiped it and thought we wouldn't notice. We reported it to the stupid Lt. and he said he would make a report. That day it was my turn, with another guy, to be part of the 2 men left behind routine and we had the same thought; the Japs who stole the tarp are probably close by - nice! We decided to sit back to back or at least one would be looking back while the other was looking forward. El Stupido finally had chow and came back for us - no problem. Several days later we were all working when we suddenly heard a shot; then silence, and then movement towards us. We grabbed out carbines and waited. It was 2 Chamorros and they were carrying an older guy, probably in his forties. He had come upon some Japs, who shot him in the stomach. We directed them to the jeep which the Lt. had turned over to us as he "had things to do at camp", and one of the guys drove the three Chamorros back to the Medics. We never learned whether he lived or died, but assumed he died. Should have asked Little Joe, but forgot each time.