Land Crabs Worse Than Japs on Saipan, Sioux Cityan Says
By Sergeant A. D. Hawkins, Ellsworth, Me., a Marine Corps combat correspondent, formerly of the Brownsville, Texas, Herald.
Saipan, Marianas Island—Land crabs were more annoying than the Japanese to Marine Sergeant Earl H. Seaton, 20, of Sioux City, who landed here with the Second marine division.
Constantly harassed by Japanese shelling and snipers, Seaton helped to set up a command post and a staff office here.
The large, straggling crabs, which come out of hiding at night, have interrupted Seaton’s sleep by practically making a home out of his coral foxhole.
“Sometimes I think I’d rather work nights, and sleep days because the land crabs always seem to scrape around the head of my bed,” he said.
Seaton is a general clerk in the personnel section of battalion here.
Before enlisting in the Marine Corps June 1, 1942, he was employed as a clerk by the Tolerton-Warfield Co. in Sioux City and hopes to return to work with them after the war.
He was graduated from East High School in 1941 and played basketball in the Y.M.C.A. City league there in 1940, 1941 and 1942.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl B. Seaton, live at 2603 Pierce Street. He has a brother, Cpl. Richard R. Seaton, who is also serving overseas with the Marine unit.
Source: The Sioux City Journal Tribune, August 20, 1944
