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Page 5 of 9
24th Marines
19 February, 1945
As Division Reserve, RCT 24 received orders at 1405 to boat two BLTs, one to rendezvous in rear of LD off Beach BLUE 1 and await further orders, the other to rendezvous in rear of LD off Beach YELLOW 1 and await further orders. At 1430 BLT 1/24 was ordered to rendezvous in rear of LD off Beach BLUE 1 and BLT 2/24 was ordered to rendezvous off Beach YELLOW 1. At 1500 orders were received for BLT 1/24 to land as soon as possible on Beach BLUE 1 and be released to RCT 25 upon landing; BLT 2/24 was to land as soon as possible and be released to RCT 23 upon landing. RCT 24 received orders at 1515 to have BLT 3/24 oat immediately and proceed to the rendezvous area in rear of the LD off Beach BLUE 1 where it was to await further orders. BLT 2/24 was ordered to land on beach YELLOW 2 instead of Beach YELLOW 1 as previously instructed. The Commanding Officer, RCT 24 left the USS BAYFIELD (APA 33) at 1550 for Blue Control Vessel, arriving there at 1620. The first wave of BLT 2/24 crossed the LD of Beach YELLOW 2 at 1620 and landed at 1635. Succeeding waves followed at 5 minute intervals and all of BLT 1/24 was landed by 1650. The first wave of BLT 1/24 crossed the LD of Beach BLUE 1 at 1620 and landed at 1632. Succeeding waves followed at 5 minute intervals and all of BLT 1/24 was landed by 1656. RCT 24 Support Group began debarkation at 1630 and by 1750 were in the rendezvous area in rear of LD off Beach BLUE 1. By 1820 the first 5 waves of BLT 3/24 had arrived at the LD of Beach BLUE 1 and the first wave was dispatched to Beach BLUE 1. Succeeding waves of BLT 3/24, with the exception of the 3d Plat, Regimental Weapons Company and RCT 24 Support Group followed at 5 minute intervals. All units of BLT 3/34 were in an assembly area in TA 166 F by 2030. RCT 24 with the exception of the 4th Plat Regimental Weapons Company and the 2d Sec, 7th War Dog Platoon was in an assembly area in the vicinity of TA 165 O by 2005. RCT 24 CP was located in TA 165 O. The order for the continuation of the attack was received at 2100. BLT 1/24 remained attached to RCT 25. BLT 2/24 remained attached to RCT 23. RCT 24 (less BLT 1/24 and BLT 2/24) remained in Division Reserve in the vicinity of TA 165 O, 166 FG. King hour was to be 0830. The remaining elements of Regimental Weapons Company were ordered at 2142 to land on 20 February, 1945. Very little enemy fire was received by RCT 24 (less BLT 1/24 and BLT 2/24) prior to 2400, 19 February.
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