The Fall of Wake Island... and Donald Trump's tooth brush...

[DemocraticPatriot]

(reposted in full from General Discussion, after someone located this forum for me) https://democraticunderground.com/100218826582

(in reference to a judge's comment that Donald Trump should be prepared to pack his toothbrush, on the way to jail-- reminded me of one of my favorite books)


If Donald Trump is allowed to carry a toothbrush with him to jail,
he will be luckier than a few United States Marines....


Many (or all?) of the American Marines captured at the fall of Wake Island by the Japanese in late December 1941, were not allowed to bring toothbrushes with them when being shipped out for prison camp.

Their commander himself, Major James Devereux, was prohibited from carrying one in his personal baggage. The Japanese officer in authority explained,

'Many of the Japanese people do not own toothbrushes'.

~from 'The Story Of Wake Island' by James P.S. Devereux

(Old book but a simple, quick, and epic read, if you can find a copy. Check eBay-- I found an old hard-cover copy there, after wearing out my paperback version--- I read it about once a year!)



So. if Trump is allowed to carry a toothbrush to jail, he should count himself fortunate!


Of course, I am quite sure that Donald Trump would consider the American defenders in the battle for Wake Island,
the most incredible story of the defense of a military post by a small force against incredible odds since the battle for the Alamo,

to be "LOSERS" ---

since they eventually had to surrender
(a decision which was made by the Naval commander of the island, not the Marines--- they could have continued to spend casualties, but there was nothing they could buy with them--- surrounded by a good number of large Japanese navy ships who could have leveled the island with their shells, while staying safely out of range of the Marine's smaller artillery...)

and the U.S. Naval task force which had been sent to reinforce and defend Wake had been ordered to turn back. Navy pilots on the carrier wept on the deck, when they were informed of the orders...

However, the spirited defense of Wake Island for more than two weeks in December 1941 by a tiny detachment of U.S. Marines (who numbered less than half of the 'training allowance' they were supposed to have for their units), was one of the most important ((and only)) war news stories that would build up American morale after the Pearl Harbor disaster, because it proved that Americans could and would fight!

Less than 400 Marine defenders, using their artillery to advantage, caused more than 5,000 Japanese casualties, sunk up to nine ships, and turned back the first Japanese task force sent to take the island, while being bombed almost every day between December 8th and December 22nd, 1941. A second Japanese task force more than a week later landed troops under the cover of night and overwhelmed them, which resulted in the surrender just before Christmas 1941.


'Losers' ?

We all know who the REAL "loser" is....

---an orange guy who most probably has no idea where Wake Island is,
or what happened there in December of 1941....

and will probably be permitted to take a toothbrush with him to jail.



(I never served, but I say God Bless Those Who Have---
and Semper Fi to all current and former United States Marines,
for whom I have the utmost respect!)

[brewens]

1. I knew a guy who was captured on Wake island. Fred Shafer (spelling). He was the dude who sold class rings and

stuff.

I had to give a speech on our high school radio station on the Bataan Death March and interviewed him about his time as a prisoner of war. He told me a couple things I couldn't put in the speech. It was horrific. It was like our final for high school speech.

My high school journalism teacher knew about his WWII experience and that he wouldn't mind talking to me and gave me the tip.

[DemocraticPatriot]

2. That is pretty incredible--- and great!

Yeah, it wasn't so great in prison camp-- especially since they essentially spent almost the entire war there...