Lieutenant Glenn Warwick was a young American surgeon, fresh to life as a Marine in the 3rd Battalion in 1943. Four letters from him to Major Clive Geere-Watson in 1943-44 were found by the Major’s daughter, Corinne Fleming, in her father’s papers in 2019. The men had become friends during the Marines’ stay at Mackay’s Crossing, and Glenn had visited the Major’s home in Wellington. He writes vividly about his initiation into combat in the Battle of Tarawa. On November 1, 1943 - on board ship soon after departing from Wellington Harbour, he writes: “We are started for something big; has me in an emotional dither. Can imagine an old warrior like yourself would love to be in on a plan like this promises to be…The next few weeks or months will give me experiences I never dreamed of having. It thrills me to be part of it.”
He finishes by thanking Clive and Betty for the happy evening in their home with baby Kenyon.
Then on December 27, he writes again, saying: “I don’t suppose our battle of Tarawa in the Gilberts claimed much news space in the Dominion. To us it still looms terrific in our memories. Out attack by land, air and sea was a great show… It was a brutal, awful introduction to war for me – and I hope not to be repeated.
About 50% in my battalion were casualties with about 140 killed. It was rough and gory while it lasted. For a non-combatant I saw more than I cared to. I was with the first troops who got to the beach by wading in. We lost many men right in the water.
My work was waiting for me when I hit the beach. We put up an aid station behind the protection of a four foot coconut log sea wall. And there we worked for about 60 hours… had many near misses but did not receive a scratch… We were cut off from the rest of the combat team and had to go it alone for the first two days. With communications out, we couldn’t get replacements. Ammunition, chow and medical supplies were fortunately adequate.
Our boys did a wonderful job and I’m proud to be with them. Most of them will go as unsung heroes, however, because there were no correspondents or photographers with us to get the first hand story. They were all in another section of the island where things were not so hot. Individual acts of heroism were commonplace. Our battalion alone has recommended over eighty for citation.
On the fifth day… we were more than glad to leave that devastated, war torn island – and leave the burial of the putrefying Marine and Nip dead to others. Every one living made a prayer of thanks to God for just being alive.