Dan Lamboley Normal Community West High School

E. B. Sledge's With The Old Breed offers a perspective into World War II (WWII) that I have never read or learned about before. His perspective is one that does so much more than just explain why the battle of Peleiu and Okinawa were fought by his Marine Division, the 1st Division, but he also offered me an opportunity to explore what it was like to engage in two land assaults with the Japanese during America's fight in the Pacific. Sledge allows this exploration by plainly and strikingly describing experiences of a young man coming to age under very frightening and horrific conditions, which spanned a whole year (September 1944-September 1945) in the Pacific. Through this exploration, I was ultimately able to realize what the significance of the "old breed" was for Sledge, and eventually growing up to be one of them as well.

At the conclusion of the battle on Peleiu, Sledge describes some of the most important things he learned. Among them were; his ability to depend on his comrades and leadership was absolutely necessary, the discipline and training he learned enabled him to survive the ordeal both physically and mentally, and to defeat an enemy that was as tough and dedicated as the Japanese were, they (his Division) had to be just as tough and dedicated as well. It is these learning experiences Sledge recounts and draws on during his time in Okinawa as well, probably more so. There's actually one more important thing Sledge learned during Peleiu that to me is at the heart of his experience in the Pacific, and with the old breed: it is what he constantly referred to as the "esprit de corps" (spirit of the corps). He never really comes out and explains what this means, but I could see it develop and play out during Peleiu and Okinawa. It started with Sledge's decision to forego officer training and enlist immediately into boot camp to become a private in the Marines. After this he is assigned to Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, of the 1st Marine Division. "But the 5th Marines and the 1st Marine Division carried not only the traditions of the Corps but had traditions and a heritage of their own, a link through time with the "Old Corps" (29). It is this "Old Corps" with the likes of Gunnery Sergeant Haney and Captain Andrew Haladane that make-up the old breed that inspired all of the new enlistees of the 1st Division. They inspired Sledge to the point that after Peleiu he wanted so much to remain with his Company (Company K) that he turned down an opportunity to become an officer and return to the states. It is this inspiration from the old breed, along with the other before-mentioned things Sledge learned after Peleiu, that he takes with him into Okinawa. And it is there that he quickly realizes he is a veteran of Peleiu, unlike the numerous replacements sent to join Company K. "We were the "old men" now" (63). So this "esprit de corps" that Sledge learned and loved was inspired into the hearts and minds of the new members of Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Regiment, 1st Division.

E.B. Sledge gave me a perspective of WWII that goes far beyond any book I have read. He displays the same courage and respect he served in the Pacific with in sharing his horrific and gripping experiences during Peleiu and Okinawa. Because of this, my understanding and respect for what the armed forces went through on the Pacific Front is forever greatened. Though I may not truly understand what the "esprit de corps" was for the 1st Division and Sledge, I am sure it is something that still exists within both of their hearts and minds.

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