Top of the Ladder

<p>Assault landings began for the men in the blackness of the early hours of the morning. On 1 November 1943 the troops of the 3d Marine Division were awakened before 0400 went to General Quarters at 0500 ate a tense breakfast and then stood by for the decisive command “Land the Landing Force.” All around them the preinvasion bombardment thundered as the accompanying destroyers poured their 5-inch shells into the target areas and spotters in aircraft helped to adjust the fire.<br />As the sun rose on a bright clear day the word came at 0710 for the first LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel) to pull away from their transport ships and head for the shore a 5000-yard run across Empress Augusta Bay to the beaches of an island called Bougainville...</p>