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IPTC: Caption
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Two Marines, Davis T. Hargraves (1925- ) with Thompson submachine gun and Gabriel Chavarria (1926- ) with a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), of F Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division, during a firefight with a Japanese sniper. After a Marine was shot in the head, Hargraves spotted the sniper. Firing five rounds, Hargraves called to Chavarria to see if he also saw the Japanese. Chavarria did not at first, but then both Marines hit the deck to avoid return fire. When they raised up to take a look, they saw a cave 60-70 yards (55-65 meters) away. Running out of ammunition (Hargraves would fire 90 rounds during the engagement) the two Marines called for assistance. Believing that the Japanese were inside (they smelled Japanese drugs burning) they fired most of their ammunition and closed the cave with a C-4 charge and grenades. Coral rained down on the Marines. Chavarria was later wounded stepping on a mine. The 1st Marine Division had been repeatedly thrown back since its first attack on Wana Ridge, May 13. Yet during most of this 9-day period the weather had been dry and the ground solid, making possible a coordinated attack of all arms-infantry, tanks, heavy assault guns, armored flame throwers, and airplanes. On May 21 the weather changed; as heavy rains began, 1st Marines was on the northern slope of Wana Ridge, at the left (east) flank of the III Amphibious Corps. The prospects of success for the infantry alone, slogging through the mud without the support of other arms, were not encouraging. Under these conditions the Marine attack against Wana Ridge was soon at a standstill. Despite inactivity, enemy mortar and artillery fire continued against the American front lines, especially at night. A break in the weather came on the morning of May 28. The 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, acting on a favorable report of a patrol, made ready to strike for 100 Meter Hill (Knob Hill) at the eastern tip of Wana Ridge. As soon as this objective was gained, the 3
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IPTC: Copyright Notice
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Caption ©2007 MFA Productions LLC
Image in the Public Domain
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