"Just a Little Longer" Well, maybe. My Squad had been circling around the beach for hours now; riding on an AMTRAC, a small amphibious track boats that can drive on lands and sea. Might have been a good idea, if not the fact that we might as well painted a big red circle target for though Japanese guns because of its ridiculously slow speed.
As if to contradicts my statement, someone from my back said "Don't worry, with those kind of Navy bombardment, no thing is going to be on that rock" I only wished it were true, I was scared as hell. Yeah, it's my first action, and we were going to Tarawa, a piece of rock in the middle of nowhere, GREAT! My attention drifts back to my Serge, who is briefing us for the last time. "Oh right Man, we are about to land soon, remember don't stay in the open or you'll get cut down. Follow the veteran, they know what to do and stay alive…" " I nervously adjust my liner in my helmets, and check my M1 Rifle and my ammos for the hundredth time hoping that nothing will ever go wrong.
My eyes wonder around the rest of my squad and most of them are cherries just like me except one in the corner. I gave a closer look at him and realize that he is the guy I am looking for. It's quite oblivious, his skin color is darker than us cherries, more of a brownish-tan color than white; and the way he dressed, his helmet are clinging loosing to his head which reminds me that my straps for me helmet is choking me. Anyway, although we all received new equipment and uniform, from the way he wore his cloth, towards a more comfortable and practical ware than the rest of us who wore the "official" way, bottom are the way and zipper all the way up, it's really uncomfortable.
As if to prove my point, I notice that he is checking and playing around with his weapon, a Remington Shotgun, not exactly our everyday normal infantry weapon. He's the quite type all right, never seem him goofing around and getting drunk like the rest of us, but he looks pretty reliable. I turn to him and say "Hi, my name is…" My short introduction was cut short by a deafening explosive BOOM; I stare in disbelief as a burning AMTRAC to my side slowly sinks. The heats are terrible, but nothing compare to the sudden realization that somebody had just died! I don't feel any guilt, but still, the fact that somebody had just lost their life, dying in the middle of nowhere strikes me; the reality of the war sinking in before the battle even started.
Still feeling depressed, counting the seconds, as it might be my last. "Don't worry, you'll do fine" I turn around and saw the veteran talking to me; "Thanks, I appreciate it" I quickly reply not wanting to sound rude. He smiles and said "My name is Tommy Collin and…" His response was cut short by the Sergeant trying to get our attention and yells over the humming of the engine "This is it boys, we are about to land any seconds now" But I pay no attention to it, Collins, wait! I heard from a squad mate that he fought in Guadalcanal and got a silver star for saving one of his friends who were wounded and pinned down by the fire, looks like I am right after all.
As Serge continued his lecture, I reluctantly turn around, facing the front, the view of island and its beach within reach and then Collin whisper to me "We will talk later, Ok? Follow me and you'll do fine" His voice is reassuring, not like other officers and my sprits goes up and I feel better now, I got something to hope and live for, I can't die on this rock! The AMTRAC was on the sand now and as the ramp drops I said to myself "GO" and I dashes out the vehicle. Knowing I will do well, heck! I might even make a new friend.
Well, upon reading the review and the story, it is very congested so I sort of organized it to a more readable format. I'll try to update, but kind of short on ideas.