I was introduced to Vince Robinson (LCI 336), the author of this article by another LCI sailor. Since then, we have exchanged sea tales and emails. Vince was the editor of his ships newsletter for years.
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Former president George Bush escaped being cannibalized.
Soon after the Japanese surrender, a U.S. Amphibious Landing Craft, LCI 336 was dispatched to the Northern Bonin Islands, from Saipan. On board were troops of the First Battalion, 3rd Marines that were to take command of the island while a 20-man Marine Police Force investigated the whereabouts of American pilots that bailed out over the Islands after their aircraft were disabled during bombing missions.
On the morning of October 19, 1945, LCI 336 passed through the outer mine field and entered Futomi Harbor of the main island, Chichi Jima, North of Iwo Jima.
Everything on the island was in shamble, the results of Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher’s Task Force bombing missions that were conducted during June 1944 to August 1944. Former President George Bush participated in these bombing raids. During one of these raids his aircraft was hit and disabled. Luckily he managed to glide far enough out to sea to be rescued by a U.S. Submarine before a Japanese patrol boat reached the area.
Heading the investigation was Col. Presley M. Rixey and working under his supervision were three Marine investigators.
When Japanese Gen. Yoshio Tachibana, the commanding Japanese Army officer of the Bonin Islands was asked by Col. Rixey, “What became of the American fliers that were captured on these islands?” Without hesitation the General replied, “Yes, we captured six and they all received very kind treatment.”
Now with the American flag flying over the island, Korean laborers, that were prisoners, came forth to tell their story, without fear of retaliation. What Col. Rixey and his staff would learn would be the most unbelievable, fiendish and vacuous atrocities ever imposed on mankind.
With direct orders from Japanese Gen. Yoshio Tachibana, Lt. Col. Kikujima and Capt. Noboru Nakajima clubbed, bayoneted, beheaded and mutilated all the American airmen. Not only those who bailed out over the island, but those who landed offshore and were picked up by their patrol boats.
One Korean prisoner who was interviewed told Col. Rixey that one very brave Marine pilot who was about to be beheaded refused the blindfold and in a gesture of defiance, rolled down his own collar.
Gen. Yoshio Tachibana and Major Suco Matoba feasted on the American’s livers and used large chunks of the thighs in soup.
When Gen.Tachibana learned that one airman had been buried with his liver intact, he had the body exhumed and ordered his army physician extract the liver.
In his report, Col. Rixey states: “We were flabbergasted at first. We were expecting beheadings, but never cannibalism! What manner of men were these? Polite—cooperative—obedient soldiers, brave and fearless—but beneath this veneer—barbarians and worse.”
On December 17, 1945 Col. Rixey ordered Major Robert D. Shaffer, USMC to start rounding up these criminals. After their arrest they were taken to Guam to await trial.
In September 1946, Gen. Tachibana, Capt. Yoshio, Col. Ito, Maj. Matoba and Capt. Nakajima were all found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
Adm. Mori and Capt. Sato were given life in prison.
From the logs of Vincent Robinson, Commander of VFW Post 11294, Froesthill, CA, who participated in the operation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Former president George Bush escaped being cannibalized.
Soon after the Japanese surrender, a U.S. Amphibious Landing Craft, LCI 336 was dispatched to the Northern Bonin Islands, from Saipan. On board were troops of the First Battalion, 3rd Marines that were to take command of the island while a 20-man Marine Police Force investigated the whereabouts of American pilots that bailed out over the Islands after their aircraft were disabled during bombing missions.
On the morning of October 19, 1945, LCI 336 passed through the outer mine field and entered Futomi Harbor of the main island, Chichi Jima, North of Iwo Jima.
Everything on the island was in shamble, the results of Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher’s Task Force bombing missions that were conducted during June 1944 to August 1944. Former President George Bush participated in these bombing raids. During one of these raids his aircraft was hit and disabled. Luckily he managed to glide far enough out to sea to be rescued by a U.S. Submarine before a Japanese patrol boat reached the area.
Heading the investigation was Col. Presley M. Rixey and working under his supervision were three Marine investigators.
When Japanese Gen. Yoshio Tachibana, the commanding Japanese Army officer of the Bonin Islands was asked by Col. Rixey, “What became of the American fliers that were captured on these islands?” Without hesitation the General replied, “Yes, we captured six and they all received very kind treatment.”
Now with the American flag flying over the island, Korean laborers, that were prisoners, came forth to tell their story, without fear of retaliation. What Col. Rixey and his staff would learn would be the most unbelievable, fiendish and vacuous atrocities ever imposed on mankind.
With direct orders from Japanese Gen. Yoshio Tachibana, Lt. Col. Kikujima and Capt. Noboru Nakajima clubbed, bayoneted, beheaded and mutilated all the American airmen. Not only those who bailed out over the island, but those who landed offshore and were picked up by their patrol boats.
One Korean prisoner who was interviewed told Col. Rixey that one very brave Marine pilot who was about to be beheaded refused the blindfold and in a gesture of defiance, rolled down his own collar.
Gen. Yoshio Tachibana and Major Suco Matoba feasted on the American’s livers and used large chunks of the thighs in soup.
When Gen.Tachibana learned that one airman had been buried with his liver intact, he had the body exhumed and ordered his army physician extract the liver.
In his report, Col. Rixey states: “We were flabbergasted at first. We were expecting beheadings, but never cannibalism! What manner of men were these? Polite—cooperative—obedient soldiers, brave and fearless—but beneath this veneer—barbarians and worse.”
On December 17, 1945 Col. Rixey ordered Major Robert D. Shaffer, USMC to start rounding up these criminals. After their arrest they were taken to Guam to await trial.
In September 1946, Gen. Tachibana, Capt. Yoshio, Col. Ito, Maj. Matoba and Capt. Nakajima were all found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
Adm. Mori and Capt. Sato were given life in prison.
From the logs of Vincent Robinson, Commander of VFW Post 11294, Froesthill, CA, who participated in the operation.
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