Singapore-based US Marine, 94, recalls 'absolutely awful' WWII battle
SINGAPORE — The Battle of Okinawa, the bloodiest battle in the Pacific War, remains seared into the memory of William “Bill” Hook, 94, a former US Marine.
“I saw a lot of sad incidents. We used flamethrowers and sometimes, we’d see Japanese running out of caves burning,” recalled Hook, who served as the personal driver to the commanding officer of the 3rd Amphibious Corps in the invasion of the Japanese island.
27 May 1945 - the day that the Marines captured the centuries-old Shuri Castle - stands out in particular. “We literally destroyed it. (It was) terrible, absolutely awful.”
The father of five, who has mostly been living in the city-state with his Singaporean wife since 1981, told Yahoo News Singapore that it was “the saddest moment” of his life when he walked around the rubble of the destroyed castle.
“You looked down and you could see long black hair protruding from underneath, and you know that there are women there.”
Hook, who remains proud of his service 74 years after the end of WWII, said he became a man at the age of 17. “I lost a lot of friends and I think about them an awful lot.”
The New Yorker started out as a demolitions expert in a diversionary unit commanded by the actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr before being reassigned to be a driver. He served in Guam, Guadalcanal, Okinawa, and northern China as support staff and spent a total of six years with the USMC.
Hook’s older brother also served with the Marines, while his father served in both World Wars.
After the war, Hook worked in various jobs, including bartending and running an ice plant. He ultimately spent 27 years with IBM before retiring to Singapore in 1981. He later spent 13 years in the US before returning to the city-state.
Hook, who is one of the oldest living US Marines, received his first promotion in 70 years and became a sergeant at last year’s USMC Ball held in Normanton Park. The annual event celebrates the Corps’ birthday.
“My promotion needed the approval of the Commandant of the USMC, the Secretary of the Navy and a member of Congress,” said Hook with a chuckle. During his service, he could not rise beyond the rank of corporal because of his vocation.
Brutal treatment by the Japanese
Ultimately, some 240,000 people died in the 82-day Battle of Okinawa, including almost 150,000 Okinawan civilians. They included mass suicides of both troops and civilians who chose death rather than submitting to capture by the Americans.
“They told them that we would rape their wives and eat their children,” said Hook.
The Japanese soldiers treated the Okinawans very badly and would hide in caves while sending the civilians out to get food, recalled Hook. “I don’t think the Okinawans ever forgave them.”
Asked what he thought of the Japanese before he signed up to the military, Hook replied, “We hated them, because they were awful. But when I returned to Okinawa last year, I changed my mind because the Japanese had decided that they didn’t want war.”
Asked how he remembered the day WWII ended on 15 August 1945, Hook replied with a laugh, “That was fantastic, it was like a holiday. We got a bunch of beer.”
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