A story of Cpl. Elmer Oscar Strom, USMC

Gatesville, TX

This is a story about Elmer Oscar Strom.
Here is some history of a real American hero. Elmer Oscar Strom was my stepfather. You may think you are a tough guy or you know a tough guy. Unless you or they have served, probably not. This is the story of a quiet, unassuming real tough guy.
Elmer was working as a cowboy on his Uncle Gus Larson's cattle ranch near Big Piney, Wyo., when he joined the United States Marine Corps. He soon found himself on the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific. It was there that the 6th Marine Division was formed. The 6th Division was made up mostly of combat veterans of at least one campaign, and many were serving a second combat tour. Elmer was on a tank crew belonging to the 6th Division, 6th Tank Battalion. Not sure how long he was at Guadalcanal. I do remember him saying that his outfit knew they were leaving soon because the Army had finished building their Officers Club. And right they were. The 6th Division shipped 6,000 miles to land as part of the III Amphibious Core on Okinawa. By the time Okinawa was secured the 6th Division was credited with capturing 2/3 of the island of Okinawa, but at a very heavy cost including 576 casualties in one day alone. The Japanese fiercely defended their positions. One exceptionally brave soldier charged Elmer's tank with nothing more than his rifle. I have that rifle and it is on display at American Legion Post 42 in Gatesville, Texas. The 6th Division withdrew to Guam to prepare for Operation Coronet, the planned invasion of Honshu, Japan, which we know did not happen. Elmer was assigned to USS Missouri and was onboard during the Japanese surrender. The 6th Division was disbanded at Tsingtao, China, in 1946. It was the only division in Marine Corps history to never step foot on American soil as a unit.
The 6th Marine Division received a Presidential Unit Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault and capture of Okinawa, April 1 to June 21, 1945. Seizing Yontan Airfield in its initial operation, the SIXTH Marine Division, Reinforced, smashed through organized resistance to capture Ishikawa Isthmus, the town of Nago and heavily fortified Motobu Peninsula in 13 days. Later committed to the southern front, units of the Division withstood overwhelming artillery and mortar barrages, repulsed furious counterattacks and staunchly pushed over the rocky terrain to reduce almost impregnable defenses and capture Sugar Loaf Hill. Turning southeast, they took the capital city of Naha and executed surprise shore-to-shore landings on Oroku Peninsula, securing the area with its prized Naha Airfield and Harbor after nine days of fierce fighting. Reentering the lines in the south, SIXTH Division Marines sought out enemy forces entrenched in a series of rocky ridges extending to the southern tip of the island, advancing relentlessly and rendering decisive support until the last remnants of enemy opposition were exterminated and the island secured. By their valor and tenacity, the officers and men of the SIXTH Marine Division, Reinforced contributed materially to the conquest of Okinawa, and their gallantry in overcoming a fanatic enemy in the face of extraordinary danger and difficulty adds new luster to Marine Corps history, and to the traditions of the United States Naval Service.
You may ask why am I writing this. Because it MATTERS. Every freedom that ALL of us enjoy came at a terrible cost.
Elmer Strom and all the brave men and women that have served and are serving deserve our admiration and respect.

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