Oral history interview with Ralph Schmidt [sound recording], 2003.

ArchivalResource

Schmidt, Ralph G.,. Oral history interview with Ralph Schmidt [sound recording], 2003.

Oral history interview with Ralph Schmidt [sound recording], 2003.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54777333

Ralph G. Schmidt, a Belgium, Wisconsin native, discusses his World War II service with the 28th Marines in the Pacific theater, including his role in the invasion of Iwo Jima. Schmidt talks about his service deferment because he worked on a farm, enlisting in the Marines as soon as his brother was old enough to help on the family farm, and Marine training and mechanic school in California. After paratrooper training at Camp San Luis (New Caledonia), he was assigned to the 1st Marine Parachute Regiment, and he comments on the impracticality of parachute training in a jungle, injuries Marines sustained on practice jumps, and the dissolution of the parachute unit. Shipped to the Solomon Islands, Schmidt touches upon being based at Guadalcanal, mopping up on Vella Lavella, and securing an airfield on Bougainville. While shipping back to the States for a furlough, he recalls being on an Army transport ship that dumped a lot of beef overboard. Schmidt reflects on availability of food in the Pacific and getting sick of mutton. He addresses meeting his girlfriend through letter correspondence, getting a second furlough because there were no records of his already having one, having side effects from a yellow fever vaccine, and not catching malaria even though he skipped taking his Atabrine pills. He was reassigned to the heavy weapons company of the 28th Regiment, 5th Marine Division. Schmidt talks about training for the Iwo Jima landing and traveling from island to island picking up Marines aboard the USS Bellatrix. He provides a detailed account of the Iwo Jima landing including shore bombardment, landing near Mount Suribachi with a half-track, conditions on the beach, having poor intelligence about the underground Japanese fortifications, taking photographs during combat, and instructions to hold fire so the Japanese would not know their positions. Schmidt speaks about navigating and clearing caves, taking few prisoners, and having mismatched dog tags. He describes seeing the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi. He addresses carrying a wounded buddy to a Higgins boat and helping to take a Japanese airstrip. Schmidt touches upon training for the invasion of Japan at Camp Tarawa (Hawaii), occupation duty in Japan, and volunteering for the inactive Reserves. He details being called to duty for the Korean War, but being excused after his wife gave birth to twins. On Iwo Jima, he comments on cleaning up equipment, burying dead Japanese, and making a cemetery for Marines after the battle. Schmidt reflects on the phrase, "There's no atheist in a foxhole." He touches on the use of Dobermans on Iwo Jima, having some close calls during combat, and a having a rough ship ride back to the States. Schmidt characterizes some of the men from his unit and states flamethrower bearers were specially targeted by the Japanese. Throughout the interview he explains his photographs and souvenirs.

Sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 110 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 110 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 42 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center