The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Johnsmiller. Johnsmiller joined the Marine Corps in April 1942. He was sent to the Solomon Islands and took part in the landing at Tanambogo as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. Johnsmiller describes aiding a wounded corpsman and providing cover for a demolition man. He also discusses Japanese destroyers using search lights to seek out Marines at night, and an incident where he helped bury a large amount of crewmen from a badly damaged US cruiser. Johnsmiller also landed on Savo Island and then Guadalcanal where he describes losing a friend to enemy machine gun fire. He almost drowned in a training accident and was saved by another marine. Johnsmiller landed on Tarawa as an assistant squad leader and was wounded in the eye. He goes on to discuss attacking a key bunker in the Japanese defenses and losing many members of his squad. Johnsmiller describes being evacuated and the care that he received on a troop ship and then a hospital ship. His damaged eye was removed and he was assigned to help another marine who was completely blind. Johnsmiller discusses the personal impact …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Johnsmiller. Johnsmiller joined the Marine Corps in April 1942. He was sent to the Solomon Islands and took part in the landing at Tanambogo as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. Johnsmiller describes aiding a wounded corpsman and providing cover for a demolition man. He also discusses Japanese destroyers using search lights to seek out Marines at night, and an incident where he helped bury a large amount of crewmen from a badly damaged US cruiser. Johnsmiller also landed on Savo Island and then Guadalcanal where he describes losing a friend to enemy machine gun fire. He almost drowned in a training accident and was saved by another marine. Johnsmiller landed on Tarawa as an assistant squad leader and was wounded in the eye. He goes on to discuss attacking a key bunker in the Japanese defenses and losing many members of his squad. Johnsmiller describes being evacuated and the care that he received on a troop ship and then a hospital ship. His damaged eye was removed and he was assigned to help another marine who was completely blind. Johnsmiller discusses the personal impact …