Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Software, E-Resource Audio Recording William H. Whorf Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: H Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment
- Location of Service: Quantico, Virginia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands); Australia; Boston, Massachusetts; South America
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/23662
William Whorf participated in the battle of Tenaru during the conflict on Guadalcanal. His searing account of that battle and of the tremendous losses that the Japanese suffered reflect the elation that the troops felt in victory. His account of two Japanese soldiers who suffered different fates during the battle is a fascinating look at human frailty in the face of the horrors of war. Whorf says that these different fates were "the worst thing that could happen to a human being and the finest thing that could happen to a human being." One soldier launched himself against an anti-tank gun that killed his fellow soldiers and was torn into two pieces after grabbing the muzzle; the other emerged from the bodies of his fellow soldiers in order to surrender.
William H. Whorf Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
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PlayNot enough men coming in to replace those going home, so there was a draw to determine who would be able to return. 00:08:20.0 - 00:09:07.0
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PlayBattle of the Tenaru and two Japanese soldiers who suffered different fates during the battle. 00:09:07.9 - 00:13:00.0
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PlayBeing reprimanded on his first day in the service for calling his rifle a "gun." 01:01:00.0 - 01:16:00.0
About this Item
Title
- William H. Whorf Collection
Names
- U.S. House of Representatives/Cliff Stearns
- Williams, Shawna
- Stearns, Cliff
- Whorf, William H.
Home State
- Florida
Headings
- - Whorf, William H.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: H Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment
- Location of Service: Quantico, Virginia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands); Australia; Boston, Massachusetts; South America
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1939-1946
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2004-05-30; 2009-03-07)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2009-03-06)
- Audio: Microcassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2004-05-30)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2007-11-07; 2007-11-07)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/23662
Cite as
- William H. Whorf Collection (AFC/2001/001/23662), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- online text
Additional Metadata Formats
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Australia
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
- Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Quantico, Virginia
- South America