This photo was taken while we were at the Leyte staging area in February 1945 preparing for the Okinawa operation. The three men in the front and the one pointing downward and I (taking the picture) were from Headquarters Battery. I'm not sure which of the four batteries this particular 40mm Ack Ack belonged to, A, B, C or D. Our unit came very close to not making it to Okinawa as there was word that we might join with the 6th Army and go to Luzon or with the 8th Army and move on to wherever they were headed.
The scoreboard was located close to our Personnel Office and I'm reasonably sure that this picture was taken shortly after it was placed on display, most likely the same day.
I wonder what this area looks like today, more than a half century later!
One of my buddies will be receiving the Soldier's Medal today, here at the XXIV Corps location, so prior to the ceremony I had a friend take this snapshot of me next to the Shuri Bell.
