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SPOTLIGHT ON MARINE HEROES #6
The 1st Marine Division was engaged in combat from almost the start of World War II until the final ground campaign on Okinawa. Thousands of heroic Marines served in the ranks of The Old Breed. Among them was Sgt Ivan T. Smith, called "Ike" by his buddies, of Conway, Michigan. Before joining the Marine Corps, Ike worked for Fisher Body in Flint, Nichigan. He enlisted at age 25 on 19 November 1942, completing recruit training at Marine Corps Base, San Diego and infantry training at Camp Elliot, Calif. In June 1943 Ike departed San Diego in the 20th Replacement Draft bound for duty across the seas with the Fleet Marine Force. Arriving in Australia, he was assigned to duty with the Machine Gun Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. 1/7 had already seen tough duty on Guadalcanal and was rebuilding in preparation for the next campaign.
From August-October 1943, transports weighed anchor from the harbor at Melbourne loaded with the 1st Marine Division. The 7th Marines sailed for its staging base at Oro Bay, New Guinea. Ike and his buddies were bound for the next campaign –Cape Gloucester on the west end of New Britain. They landed as part of Combat Team C on 26 December 1943 at Yellow Beach 2 near the northwest flank of Borgen Bay.
For the next four months, Ike and the other Marines of the 1st MarDiv fought a relentless enemy. Across Suicide Creek, up Hill 660 and other hills around Borgen Bay, 1/7 fought day after day. Marines patrolled day and night. They manned their foxholes at night and in the daytime attacked against one unseen enemy defensive position to the next.
New Britain was a godforsaken spot, in the opinion of Marines who served there. Many of them spent five straight weeks existing in mud-filled foxholes. It rained almost every day for two months and the tropical humidity drained men's energy. They endured clouds of disease-carrying insects and fought a losing battle against dysentery. In April 1944, the 1st MarDiv pulled out of New Britain and sailed for its new home on Pavuvu in the Russell Islands. Again, the Old Breed rebuilt and recuperated after a tough campaign. The empty boat spaces were filled with replacements and experienced Marines moved to positions of higher responsibility. For outstanding duty performance, Ike received his first promotion to Pfc, after Cape Gloucester, and was assigned as a bazooka man. PELELIU On 15 September 1944, the 7th Marines landed across Beach Orange 3 on Peleliu. On the extreme right flank of the 1st MarDiv, they encountered heavy mortar, machine gun, and anti-boat fire. Fighting through a thick mangrove swap that extended across their front, the Marines pushed forward until ordered to dig in at 1715. The 7th Marines' was assigned to secure all of southern Peleliu. Company's A and C jumped off at 1000 on 18 September against the Japanese defenses on Ngarmoked Island. With heavy naval gunfire and tank support, they accomplished their mission by 1525, driving to the south shore of the island. But this was not to be the 7th's last mission on Peleliu, not by a long-shot. On 20 September 1944, Marines of 1/7 moved north to the Umurbrogal to relieve battered elements of the 1st Marines. So began a nightmare battle for 1/7. Few of its Marines could later identify specific dates and locations. It seemed to them that the Umurbrogal was one coral ridge after another. The enemy was determined to stand and die, defending from a series of interlocking positions. Through underground tunnels, the Japanese could reinforce almost at will, and many hills were fought over again and again. On 30 September 1944 at 0800, 1/7 was assigned to attack and secure the high ground on the north perimeter of the Umurbrogal Pocket. Jumping off from the East Road, Company A was supported by three Sherman tanks and an LVT flamethrower. Heavy rain forced the cancellation of close air support, and the attack did not start until 1245. Against intense enemy defensive fires, Able ground forward for 300 yards, a huge gain by the standards of combat on Peleliu. The enemy resisted in interlocking machine gun and mortar positions. During the assault, Ike's platoon began taking heavy fire from a Japanese position. Maneuvering exposed to the enemy, he worked forward and engaged the enemy position with bazooka fire. He destroyed two mortars and their crews. Throughout the attack Ike delivered accurate bazooka fire. He killed numerous enemy snipers and destroyed several cave positions. Ike received a severe gunshot wound to his leg during the attack and was evacuated to a hospital ship offshore. The next day, he jumped ship and went back to his outfit. He was listed as missing, later killed in action. He remained with Able as it slowly wore away in the bitter fighting for the Umurbrogal. Finally, after more than a month on Peleliu, Ike and his buddies were relieved by 1/323 Infantry (USA) on 17 October. They boarded the S. S. Sea Sturgeon on 21 October 1944, and sailed away from Peleliu the next day.
After Peleliu, the Old Breed returned to their home on Pavuvu. They went through the old drill again. The division was shattered from their campaign on Peleliu, but all hands knew they would soon be called again for the next beach head. For his heroism on the 30 September 1944, Ike was recommended for the Navy Cross. The award was downgraded at division-level to the Bronze Star. He also received his first Purple Heart for his leg wound, which continued to cause him problems and would for the rest of his life. Ike was promoted to corporal on 19 December 1944, and to sergeant just a few days later. He was assigned as a section leader in the Machine Gun Platoon in Able Company.
On 1 April 1945, Able landed on Beach Blue II on Okinawa. Contrary to all predictions, they made it through the day with minimal casualties. For the next month, the 1st MarDiv secured the northern sector of Okinawa. Although the Marines encountered pockets of heavy resistance, they sustained only moderate losses and achieved their objectives on schedule. This was all to change when The Old Breed was called to fight against the main Japanese defenses in the south. On 1 May 1945, the 1st MarDiv began its part in breaking the fortified Japanese defenses across southern Okinawa. Enduring torrential rains and heavy artillery fire, the division attacked day after day. NCO's such as Sgt Smith were in the forefront of combat, leading their Marines and setting the example under the toughest battlefield conditions. On 10 May 1945, the 7th Marines launched an abortive attack against the Japanese defenses on Dakeshi Ridge. This terrain feature was a critical part of the Shuri Line. Moving on open ground north of the ridge, Able was on the far left flank of the assault units. Under extremely heavy fire, the attack stalled on the low ground in front of Dakeshi. 1/7 was exposed to fire on both flanks and Japanese mortar barrages bracketed the Marine positions. Able needed heavy fire support. Sgt Smith determined to find it. He moved out on foot and located three Sherman tanks. Leading them forward, he pointed out Japanese defenses for the tanks to engage. Under his fire direction, the Shermans destroyed numerous enemy positions at point blank range. Sgt Smith continued to lead by example. Seeing wounded Marines trapped in front of the enemy's positions, he made several trips across exposed terrain to rescue four wounded comrades. He also organized litter teams to rescue other trapped Marines. All the while, he continued to direct the tanks in knocking out Japanese automatic weapons that were pouring fire into Able's positions. He was later awarded the Navy Cross for his indomitable heroism.
Wounded himself that day, Sgt Smith tried to refuse evacuation. This time, there was no choice and he made the long journey back home. He arrived at the Oakland Naval Hospital on 9 June 1945. After a month there, he was assigned to Casual Company, MCB, San Diego. He remained there until his discharge from active duty on 30 September 1945. Ike continued to receive treatment for his wounds for many years. He was a patient at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital until 1947. In 1981 his leg had to be amputated. He died in Port Richey, Fla. on 12 November 1997. When he passed away, Ike and his wife, Nettiebelle, had been married 58 years. They had two children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. His buddies in Able remembered Ike as an outstanding Marine. MSgt Charles Owens was a World War II member of Able who later served in both Korea and Vietnam. He wrote, "…Ike was one of the finest/bravest combat Marines with whom [I] ever had the opportunity of serving … Time does pass on, but the good memories of A-1-7 men such as Ike Smith will continue in the minds of his old buddies with each passing day."
SPOTLIGHT ON MARINE HEROES INDEX SOURCES: Correspondence with MSgt Charles Owens, USMC (ret)
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