Eli Merchant - A Seabee's Guadalcanal Diary
Reprinted from World War II Times - Vol.1 Oct-Nov 1986
Eli Merchant was a 41 year old self-trained electrician working at the Bankhead Mines in Jasper, Alabama when the war broke out. He answered his country's call August 10, 1942 and joined the Seabee's. Assigned to the 24th Naval Construction Battalion, he was soon in some of the Pacific's hot spots.
1942
December 12 - We arrived in New Caledonia. Was on USS Mt. Vernon for 11 days. The crossing was uneventful. There was no trouble. Pacific was calm. The biggest thrill of all came when just out of New Caledonia harbor several planes met us. Flew alongside of the ship.
December 13 - Now will begin a few days on New Caledonia. We moved to our new camp. There is nothing but woods. Nothing is built.
December 17- We began erecting tents. In two days we had everything under shelter. The chow has not been so good, but is getting better. We had hot cakes and sausage for breakfast this morning.
Decernber 21- Christmas Eve. Sure don't feel like it. Folks back home are having fun now. Too hot here. Walked down to the beach. Went back by the Mission. The moon is beautiful again. Think I will climb that mountain soon.
December 25- Christmas morning. Sure is hot, Have been to church. Heard a good sermon. Had turkey for dinner.
December 26- Made a trip to Noumea. What a town. Quaint old French town. Saw a funeral procession pass. Could not buy anything. Nothing to sell.
1943
January 3- Sunday. Am Off today. Went to church. Heard Pop Gordon preach. Climbed the mountain. Sat on top (and) wrote a letter home.
February 20- We continue to work on dock. Catch the worst end of everything. Last night we worked hard without anything to eat. Our officers don't care as long as they live in ease. They are a bunch of cheap skates.
February 22- This is the birthday of the father of our country. He led the fight for our liberty. Personally (I) am glad to be among them.
March 2- Took an unjust bawling from a 90 day wonder (Braid) at docks. Would love to meet him in private life.
March 20- Worked on Pier 2. Our battalion has really done some work since landing here.
March 25- Last night we had an amateur show. Some the boys can sing real good. We hear we are leaving soon. Don't know (for sure). Maybe move to a better place or a worse place. Anyway we have been here long enough. Walked down to the beach and gathered some shells.
April 12 - Packing for something. Don't know what. May be moving or may be not.
April 23 - For the last 9 days have been training from a ship. We went over the sides 2 and 3 times each day on nets into landing boats. Camped on the beach 3 nights (and) lay out in the woods. Made actual landings with equipment. This is really hard work.
Today when we came back to the old camp we were glad to get back. There is something about this life. You are always glad to get back where you were before. What a strange frame of mind you have when you live in a seabag.
April 26-27 - Back to this old drilling and mustering. Just about as soon they take us out and shoot us as to have to go through this again.
April 29 -What in the world has happened? We are still hanging around. Something is bound to happen (soon).
May 22 - Secured from job last night. Everyone is happy. We are packing our sea bags. Must be leaving for the war.
May 23 - Aboard ship again bound for somewhere. God only knows and maybe the commander. We become to have peculiar state of mind in the service. They load you on a boat, or train- haul you off somewhere and tell you nothing. Funny thing about it you don't seem to mind.
May 25- Sailed at 10:30. Goodbye to New Caledonia. This boat is as rough as riding a jackass through Arkansas.
May 27 - On ship in Coral Sea. Here is where (a) big battle was fought and Lexington was sunk. Hope we have no trouble.
May 29- We must be nearing port. There has been a carrier and a few planes have been flying over us all day. We must be getting close to "Nip". We were given ammunition today.
May 30 - Well, here it is at last, the much talked about Canal. Hope the Nips don't come tonight. Sure is hot.
May 31 - Spend last night near beach on Guadalcanal. Came across channel to Tulagi this morning. Have docked here all day unloading oil. You can see Florida Islands and a number of other small ones. These are real tropical islands. This Tulagi is real pretty. We love to make this trip in peace time. There are palm trees on all the mountains. Scuttlebutt is that we are going back to the Canal tomorrow.
June 1 - Well, here we are on Guadalcanal. Have pitched tents in a coconut grove. Martin is out busting a nut now. Well, this is life. Tough is not name for this way of living.
June2-4 - Building camp and other small details. This is one terrible place. Rain and heat. How long can a man stay in the tropics?
June 5 - Had a small air raid last night. No damage.
June 7 - Rain again. These air raids are getting to be a habit. This is the 3rd in as many days. When these Japs start this way, there is a regular bee hive stirred up. Our planes really take to the air.
June 11 - The Japs bothered us all night last night. Had two air raids. Poured cement. Sure was hot.
June 16 - We had a good picture (show) started last night, (but) just as we started the Japs came. Then today we were working at the dock. There was a big raid. Two ships were hit and several Jap planes were shot down. We stood on the beach and saw the whole show. This is real war. Our aircraft gave them a fit.
June 17 - These air raids have gotten to be a regular thing. Another one last night, one today. We live in fox holes lots of the time.
June 18 - Wow! Those yellow devils came again last night attacking Tulagi. Could see the anti-aircraft fire. Today there was an air raid alarm at the docks. The yellow devils were beat off before they reached us.
June 29 - Last night we worked until around 3 o'clock on a ship. Some Marines woke me early this morning as they passed on their way to load a ship to go out and meet the Japs.- singing as they went. These boys are great.
June 30 - Big offensive launched. Went to Karney and Henderson Field today. Have been having trouble with my leg for several days. Must be getting old.
July 4 - Independence Day. Heard a good sermon by Island Chaplain. Was very inspiring. Worked in the afternoon.
July 6 - Well, Nip called last night (and) got us out of bed. Chief Elkins and some of our men were hurt by bombs. Several killed.
July 7 - Am getting tired of this South Pacific. These little old islands are terrible. Wonder how long one can stay out here and not go crazy.
July 11 - Had an air raid last night. Saw the picture "You Were Never Lonelier." These shows are lots of comfort.
July 12 - There were 3 air raids last night. They sure are disturbing when they come at night. Well, here we go again. Packing up to go.
July 13 - Loaded on a boat at 5:30 in Guadalcanal. Sailed during the night.
July 14 - Came into the channel at Russell Island. We lay over in Russell during the day. Leaving late in the afternoon???
July 15 - We sailed all night. Just after daylight someone saw a man on rubber raft. We turned aside to him. As we came alongside him, I reached over the side and helped him aboard. He was one our aviators who had been forced down yesterday. We lay over at Wickham anchorage, Vangunu, all day. Loaded on ship at 6 o'clock.
July 16 - Came ashore to beach again. Spent the day resting. Some soldiers brought in a Jap prisoner. I stood and looked at him and felt sorry for him as he lay on a stretcher. There was a company of soldiers that came in from the jungle. They were muddy and tired. This jungle warfare is tough. Loaded back on ship.
In the next issue we will follow the Pacific War through Merchant's diary to New Georgia, Espiritu Santo, Aukland, New Zealand, and finally back to the states. CONTINUED............
24th United States Naval Construction Battalion 1942-1945
Eli Merchant - War Diary
Article from World War II Times, Volume 2, Number 1
December 1986-January 1987
1943
July 18 — Came back on board (Ship) last night and sailed sometime during (the night). Arrived off New Georgia and Munda air base. Only 8 miles from a big battle.
July 19 - The battle of Munda is still going on. The 155 mms roared over our heads all night last night. This morning the air force gave them plenty.
July 20 — Last night the bastards raided us 8 times. There was not much sleep. These guns roaring over our heads sure do worry.
July 21 — Another night of guns roaring and air raids. These fox holes are our best friends.
July 23 — Last night we had some of our worst air raids. They were continuous from 1 0'clock to 5. Looks as if we will have to live in our fox holes. This morning we had several raids. Several bombs were dropped in the camp. Boy oh Boy.
July 25 — Have been feeling bad the last few days. Last night "Nip" called on us 2 times. Dropped 3 bombs in channel. Believe me these bombs scare you when they come down. Our bombers have been giving Munda a working over. Wow! The yellow devils raided us again this morning, dropping bombs on our other camp killing two of our boys and wounding several more. This makes 23 since coming here.
July 26 — Two more of our men died. Had a big raid this morning
. I walked down the road and watched them load wounded and wonder if it is worth fighting.
July 27 — The wounded are laying all around us. Almost makes me sick. Men with legs off — shot in the head and every other way possible. Spent some time watching our men load some badly injured men. This is a cruel old war.
July 28 — There is something wonderful about our soldiers. I have helped handle scores of them who were badly wounded. Some had lost legs. some arms, and almost every conceivable type of wound. Yet I have never heard a groan or complaint from any man. as they lay on cots or stretchers. What a wonderful bunch of men.
July 30 — The work is hard and the food is scarce. Came very near working all day with no food. Had one air raid.
August 1— Chaplain Lemmons held church today. As he was preaching several our wounded men from Munda were brought by on trucks. This is a sad picture. Later today as we were unloading some of our own wounded from boats, they raided us and we had to run for our fox holes.
August 7 — We moved from Kokorona to Munda on the 6th and camped last night in the woods. We worked at the airport all day. Does not seem possible anything could be torn up so bad. There were shell holes all around. Also dead Japs everywhere. I will never forget this scene. NEITHER DO I EVER WANT TO SEE ANOTHER ONE.
August 8 — Another dreadful day at the airport. Those awful dead Japs laying around all over the place. Field can land some planes tomorrow. The Japs dropped bombs all around us this morning, also strafed us with machine gun fire. Should we tell the folks back home what we are going through, they would not believe us. I hope we make it through.
August 9 — Cleaning out a Jap hole dug in the side of a hill. There were several dead Japs in
the dug out. This was one of the worst details ever. The stench was terrible. Met the commander of Acorn 8.
August 11 — Another night full of raids. The food situation is rather acute. Everyone in a company is almost starved. Has been almost a week since we have eaten any real food. We will be lucky if we survive.
August 12 — We moved to our new camp, another place where they are shooting over our heads. There are some very pretty jungles.
August 16 — Raids, Raids all night lasting from early evening until morning. Shrapnel came
through my tent. There was no sleep. Our anti-aircraft gave them a good blistering. The Japs are shelling the airfield from a ship or some other island. This is bad because we are on the edge of the field about a mile away. This life is killing me.
August 18 - Our shelling of the Japs is very noisy going over our heads. Our big guns are firing across our camp. Can hear the projectiles as they pass on their journey. The airport is a beehive of activity. The yellow devils keep throwing shells around our camp. Hope their aim continues bad.
August 19 — One raid last night. Nips must be getting weak. Our big guns are blasting the pants off the bastards. You can't talk for the noise.
August 23 — We had two air raids last night without much activity. Our big guns have quit firing. How long can this way of life go on? Have lived in the woods, slept on the ground, and endured hardships until a little bit of civilization would be good.
August 29 — All was quiet last night. We are getting awfully tired of this climate.
September 12 — Sunday morning. How would I love to be at home this morning. One air raid last night.
September 15 — The bastards threw everything at us including the kitchen sink. There were 8 raids last from 8:30 until daylight. One bomb fell in our camp hurting several (men).
September 19 — Sure do wish we could get out where we might get a good night's sleep. These bombs are getting close. Then the heat is almost unbearable.
September 30 — One air raid last night and one yesterday. Have had 201 air raids since coming to this area.
October 15 — Spent the day up in the timber where we are going to put a saw mill. I love these beautiful trees. No raids.
October 21 — New mess hall last night. The air activity here at the field has been heavy for the last few days. Must be giving"Nip" plenty of eggs. We Seabees just work. This, of course, is important. We were the first construction men on the field here after its capture.
October 31 — Visited the airport and cemetery. Saw the grave of John South from Jasper
(Alabama). Went to church.
(As the Japanese air raids subsided. Merchant and his fellow Seabees settled into routine camp life. Only selected portions of the diary are given hereafter to reveal his thought patterns as the days ground slowly by.)
November 28 — This morning we stood inspection. Last night there was a movie "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Good picture. One year ago we sailed from San Pedro. Many things have happened since that day. About all we have to talk about these days is movies.
December 25 — Christmas! This brings us thoughts of a happy home. Wish I could see my loved ones.
December 27 — Christmas night we had turkey. During the night everyone had food poison.
Back at work today but still weak.
1944
January 1 — The new year — at the Smoker last night the commander said we would either march down the streets of 'Frisco or Tokyo this year.
February 29 – Standing by preparatory to embarking on a trip. Don’t know where. Hope it is the good “ole” U.S.A.
March 14 — Well, as usual we miss (getting leave). After loading our bags on a barge, our
leave was cancelled. This is the Navy's way.
March 15 — Here we are back in camp set up for leaving again. Last night we slept on the deck in our tent. During the night a honey bear crawled up on me, then ran
up a pole. What a life!
March 22— Loaded onto a ship, the Anita. Sailed at sunset. (Note: ship's name was inserted in the diary after the war.)
March 27 — Anchored in the harbor at Guadalcanal. Remarkable how we learn to be
happy under all conditions. Needless to say, we are very uncomfortable on these ships,
crowded as we are.
March 29 — The old blue pond is rough as pig iron today. Heard one man say he had rather be back in the war zone in a fox hole than on this ship. Don't guess he really meant what he said.
March 30— I lay on my back today and watched a gull floating over the ship. Marveled at the grace and beauty God has given the creatures of His creation. The weather is beginning to be cooler each day.
April 4 — Came from the ship to camp (Auckland, New Zealand). Had the swellest meal yet.
April 7 — Met some very charming people last night. Had tea with them. Am going back for a visit with them.
April 21 — Have been on leave and done various things — walked the streets, gone to church, shows — the chow has been real good here at camp.
(On May 4 Merchant sailed from Auckland to the Russell Islands. where he was involved in camp construction for several weeks. There he found the chow good and the men easy to please. On September he boarded a ship heading for the States and made this entry: "Hope I never see the south Pacific again. It is not what the book says or the movies.")
Former Seabees Relive "Glory Days Before Bomb Fell
Article from The Richmond News Leader- April 30,1988 by Ann Holiday
There's a bunch of men at the Richmond Omni Hotel this weekend who were pretty happy to see the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. They were on Okinawa, getting ready to invade Japan, on that August day in 1945.
They're still talking about it. Every spring for the past 18 years, members of the 24th Navy Construction Battalion — the Seabees — relive the three years they spent together in the Pacific, building airstrips of coral and corduroy roads of coconut trees and doing whatever else sailors do.
"I have a feeling most of them felt like I did — very hesitant to bring their wives to the first one," said battalion chaplain James De Masters. "We were surprised. The men were calmed down, deacons in the church, leaders in the community."
An advance vanguard sat around an Omni meeting room Thursday night before the meeting. They shared recent snapshots, leafed through the history of the 24th, bought each other's craft works for the scholarship fund and cut hunks off one of the 10-pound chocolate bars Bea and Kenneth Welch of New York bring every year. She's treasurer of the battalion; he's commander. Carroll Trotter of Puyallup, Wash., came the farthest of the 88 expected from 23 states. Richmonder Julian Bragg, who was in the 84th battalion, joined them.
They wore cowboy hats, Western shirts, golf shirts, sport shirts. Few could match Ben Thomley's claim that his World War Il uniform would fit even if he were 10 pounds heavier. Darrell "Tex" Alsup showed a photo of himself holding the 6 foot rattlesnake whose skin became his hat band.
"We could build an airstrip in three days," boasted Harley Sweet of Powell, Tenn. "The (Japanese) would come over and bomb 'em, and we'd fix 'em back up in three hours. The planes would take off three at a time."