FLACK, Gerald, Pfc. 1944

FLACK

Posted By: Counuty Coordinator
Date: 2/18/2012 at 16:34:07

FLACK TELLS OF ENIWETOK FIGHT

Pfc. Gerald Flack of the marines, who has been in Osage the past week on a months' leave says that there is no lack of equipment in the Pacific theater now. The marine fire-power has been tremendously increased during the past months, he said.

Gerald was with the marines when they took Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, where 4000 Japs were killed and only 42 taken prisoner. He said that the marines take no chances with Jap prisoners any more. Marines were taught by bitter experience not to trust the white flag.

He said the Eniwetok engagement gave the marines their first real chance in the use of the flame thrower and they proved very successful in routing the Japs from their fortified cement pill boxes, either by heating them up by directing the flame against the top of the pillbox or by direct contact through the openings.

Gerald said that the Navy had done such a swell job of blasting Eniwetok before the marines landed that hardly a tree was left standing. One that was left at the point where he landed had a Jap in it. A good-sized shell hit the tree and cut it off, spilling Mr. Jap.

[ MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS -- July 6, 1944 ]

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NOTES:

It is believed that Gerald died in 1994, if this is the right Gerald Flack--

SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX:

Name: Gerald F. Flack
Birth Date: 8 October 1923
Social Security Number: 484-14-6875
Place of Issuance: Iowa
Last Residence: Floyd, Iowa
Zip Code of Last Residence: 50616
Death Date: 25 June 1994