Elton E. Knutson, an Algoma, Wisconsin native, discusses his Marine Corps service as a rifleman in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Knutson recalls having draft deferment while working for Allis-Chalmers in Milwaukee, on a farm, and in a shipyard, but getting drafted as soon as his deferments ran out. He talks about getting picked for the Marines, boot camp at Parris Island (South Carolina), an infection in his finger while on the train home for leave, and advanced training at Camp Lejeune (North Carolina). Knutson portrays the ride overseas on a troop ship with the 34th Replacement Draft, having Thanksgiving dinner at Pearl Harbor, dumping spoiled canned food overboard at the Marshall Islands, and training on Guam. Assigned to the 3rd Division, he details his participation in the Battle of Iwo Jima: seeing rocket fire, his ship's retreat after being hit by a mortar, going ashore on a Higgins boat, advancing under fire, and doing work for a week on the beach. Knutson speaks of seeing the flag raised on Mount Suribachi, cleaning out pockets of Japanese soldiers, climbing a mountain in the dark, being pinned by sniper fire, and dropping grenades into caves. He tells of a few dumb mistakes fellow Marines survived making, such as taking prisoners without any ammunition. Knutson discusses extensive training on Guam in preparation for the invasion of Japan and going out on parades and long hikes after the war ended. Assigned to Tianjin (China), he tells of managing Japanese work parties as part of his job distributing automotive parts. Knutson touches on the uneasy relations between American troops and Chinese communist troops. After a month of waiting, he mentions having three days of leave in Shanghai and Panama on the way back to the States. He comments on his homecoming and eventually joining the VFW and the Marine Corps League. After his discharge, Knutson recalls having difficulty finding a job and getting unemployment.
