Oral History Interview with Jack Whetsel, February 11, 2002 Page: 13

                                
Mr. Cox:

LCdr Whetsel:
Mr. Cox:
LCdr Whetsel:
Mr. Cox:
LCdr Whetsel:
Mr. Cox:
LCdr Whetsel:

Let me summarize. These amphibious forces were new, so he had to
develop all of the techniques to bring them up. Every island was not
necessarily that successful, but they learned and developed new
techniques.
That's right.
OK. Back when you were talking about coming on board the
Eldorado, you obviously had divisions of Marines and forces that were
going to make the amphibious landing. You mentioned that there
were some officers. Now did the Marine Commanders, like the
General of the Division, was he on board that ship.
Yes, he was usually on our ship.
So the communication network was going and he was working with
his subordinates with the landing forces.
They planned it - whoever was going to take it- either the Marines
or the Army. In Okinawa we had both, the Marines and the Army.
But the Army was overall command at Okinawa. That was General
Buckner. He was on our ship. At Iwo Jima, the Marines were there.
We did not have any Army. Iwo Jima was all Marines and I believe

that was "Howlin' Mad" Smith was the General on board our ship for
this operation.
Yes, he was around Tarawa and Iwo Jima.
Yes, he was in charge of all ofthe Marines in the Pacific. He, or some

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