Life on Kwajalein: Page 3

RECREATION HALL: Located in the squadron's recreation area near the Fleet Marine Theatre, the Recreation Hall proved to be very popular among squadron members. The tented structure to the right of the Recreation Hall was known as the "Beer Garden."

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

PING-PONG: Squadron members enjoy a game of ping-pong in the Recreation Hall during their off-duty time.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

LIBRARY: Located in the Recreation Hall, a small library with writing tables was maintained for personnel by squadron librarian, Sergeant Teddy E. Murzyn.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

CATCHING A NAP: Technical Sergeant William A. Black, Jr. grabs some sleep in the Senior-NCO barracks. As many missions were flown after dusk, flight crews would frequently have to get sleep during the hot daylight hours.

SENIOR NCO CLUB MEMBERSHIP CARD: Technical Sergeant William A. Kerr's membership card to VMB-613's Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Club. All members of the club were issued membership cards similar to the one pictured.

BEERGARDEN: The squadron's "Beergarden" was a tented area located next to the Recreation Hall. It served as the location for enlisted men to drink beer in their off-duty time. Despite its fancy name, Marines commonly refer to it as the "Slop Chute."

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

IN THE BEERGARDEN: Members of VMB-613 enjoy camaraderie and beer in the squadron's "Beergarden." In stock brands of beer included Schlitz and Lucky Lager.

OFFICER'S MESS: Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Hirtzel and First Lieutenant Louis A.E. Larini in the Officers' Mess.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

GALLEY: VMB-613's Galley is the area that all food for the squadron members was prepared. The squadron Galley was located between, and connected with, the Officers' and Senior NCO's Mess on one side, and the Enlisted Men's Mess on the other. From the air, the Mess and Galley buildings looked like an "H."

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

BAKERY: Two unidentified Marines of VMB-613 at work in the squadron's bakery. The ovens are clearly visible in the background of the photograph.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

DARKROOM: Sergeant Harold F. Riehle and Corporal Edmund E. Zitkus at work printing photographs in the squadron's darkroom.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

WASH DAY: (L-R) Sergeant Robert H. Buckner and Staff Sergeant Charles D. Tavalire doing their laundry in the squadron supply area with a wind-powered washing machine.

CHOW HALL SPECIAL PASS: Due to his assignment at the Officer Message Mail Center on Kwajalein, Corporal Herbert E. Schwartz was issued this special pass by Lieutenant Colonel Nevils. This pass permitted him to eat chow at his discretion. Corporal Schwartz was responsible for delivering "Top-Secret" messages to various commands on Kwajalein, and as such, his work schedule was dictated by the message traffic.

Photograph: Marine Bombing Squadron Six-Thirteen (Courtesy of Herbert E. Schwartz)

ISLAND CHAPEL: The Kwajalein Island Memorial Chapel was originally constructed through a joint effort of personnel of all faiths from all the branches of the armed forces on Kwajalein in 1944. First Lieutenant Daniel Warner of the 893rd Aviation Engineers, proposed the wooden design to be built using materials salvaged from construction projects throughout the island. The final design and location were approved by General Ogden J. Ross, Commanding Officer of Kwajalein. Construction began on December 11, 1944, and with some additional funding and materials provided in January 1945, the chapel was completed and dedicated on February 11, 1945. Still in existence today, the original mahogany tablet dedicating the chapel to the memory of those who gave their lives in the capture of Kwajalein has been retained. Since its construction, the Island Memorial Chapel has been a focal point of the Kwajalein community, and has undergone several renovations with care taken to ensure the integrity of the original design. During their return to Kwajalein in 1994, members of VMB-613 participated in the dedication ceremony of a stained glass window that was installed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assault on Kwajalein Atoll.

CHURCH SERVICE COVER: The cover for the Protestant Service conducted at the chapel on Kwajalein on Sunday, March 4, 1945. The reverse side, showing the actual service is shown below.

PROTESTANT SERVICE: The Protestant church service at 0745 on March 4, 1945 was conducted by Chaplain George K. Davies.

Schedule of Services

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES: The chaplains on Kwajalein provided religious services to those of the Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant faiths. This schedule provides the times for each service as well as the text that was inscribed on the memorial tablet of the chapel.

Image: Courtesy of Debbie Kane

PRAYER FOR A MARINE

Lord, shadow with Your loving care
The path of this Marine;
On land, on sea, by night, by day,
From him all dangers screen.

The leathernecks of God,
Brave men,
The soldiers of the sea,
Whenever perils threaten most
Marines will always be.

Be with them Lord, in all the lands
Where duty bids them go,
Keep strong their faith, keep high

their hearts,
Protect them from the foe!

Amen

PRAYER CARD: This prayer was carried by Staff Sergeant Paul J. Yanacek while serving overseas with VMB-613. The actual prayer card was obtained from Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

Prayer: Courtesy of Paul J. Yanacek

FLEET MARINE THEATRE: As dusk approached, the Marines of VMB-613 would be called to the Fleet Marine Theatre in the squadron's recreation area with strains of Doris Day singing Sentimental Journey. The Fleet Marine Theatre proved to be a very popular source of entertainment, despite the fact that ponchos had to be worn frequently due to rain.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

FLEET MARINE THEATRE: Taken next to the movie screen at the Fleet Marine Theatre, seating and the projection booth can be clearly seen. This facility, built by the squadron's Construction and Maintenance Department, proved to be a highly popular among squadron members.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)

PROJECTIONISTS: Taken in the projection booth at the Fleet Marine Theatre, Technical Sergeant Bertram H. Bader and Sergeant Harold F. Riehle prepare for the evening movie.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur H. Navarre Collection (Courtesy of Diane Hindy)