Sisseton Man with Group Having Narrow Escape At Iwo Jima

'By Sgt, Chester H. Smith of Winnemucca, Nevada marine corpa combat correspondent, formerly of the Reno, Nev,

United Press Bureau.) Iwo Jima (Delayed). A single smoke grenade proved a life-saver to four marines trapped by Jap machine gunners here. Telling how they tossed out smoke grenade to Mot out their movements from the Japs as they scurried for cover with their guns and packs, were four machine gun ners or the rum marine divisions 2fith regiment. Set Guns in Dark "We had to set up our machine guns In the dark that night for defense and we were in a gap In a ridge," said PFC. Gordon J. Drenttel, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Drenttel of Sisseton, S. D. "We could hear the Japs Jabbering about 50 yards ahead as they dug in. We could hear their shovels banging against rocks, too. "We didn't have any trouble during the night but at dnwn the next morning hell really broke loose." said PFC. Robert E. Gish, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Gish, Kansas City. Mo. "Japs opened up from a higher ridge with Nambus tlicht machine guns) and rifles. They were firing right down at us." Target Blotted Out "One marine wax killed when bullet ricocheted off a rock at the top of his foxhole, striking him, and another was wounded so we had to get out of there," said PFC. Frank J. Manella, Jr., ,19, of Utica. N. Y. "One marine Jiimped out of a foxhole to get a wounded buddy and down he went. "Someone threw out a smoke grenade and as lt began to smoke the Japs had their target blotted out. We got out the wounded and our packs and equipment and went flying out of foxholes as we moved down over the ridge with our machine guns," said PFC. Billle L. Plummer, 19, Fort Smith, Ark. The four marines landed D-day under a hall of Jap mortar and artillery fire and participated In some of the island's fiercest frontline action.

Frank Joseph Manella