Utmost Savagery Book Review

Colonel Joseph H. Alexander gives a vivid account of the three days of one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific War in his book, Utmost Savagery: The Three Days of Tarawa. Colonel Alexander, a combat veteran and accomplished military historian, was not at Tarawa, but he has seen violent combat in Vietnam. He spent eleven of his twenty-nine years of service in amphibian tractor battalions. These were similar to the ones used at Tarawa. Colonel Alexander used several sources including translated Japanese war documents, numerous interviews from mentors, and accounts from officers stationed on Betio Island in his writing. In the book Alexander gives an authoritative account regarding the tactics that were used, the leadership, the new ideas, …show more content…
The enemy should never be underestimated and adequate preparation is necessary. Close air support needed to be improved and there was a shortage of men and material in the early stages of battle. Tactile communications needed improvement. Waterproof radios were of great need. The attack on Betio showed a critical need for underwater swimmers who could report surf conditions. Future landings should include more medium tanks and backpack flamethrowers. These were lacking at Tarawa. There were also other lessons learned at Tarawa and they forever changed the way in which the United States went into attacking mode. Many historians agree that there had to be a Tarawa. “Without what can be described as the vital lessons of Tarawa, the larger victories that came at Saipan, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima would not have been possible.” It is important to realize the key to victory at Tarawa was the individual Marine. It was discipline, fighting ability, courage, and leadership that came into play more than ever before in World War II. The resilience of the Marine was confirmed in the middle of the impending doom. The very name, Tarawa, can be said to arouse the feelings of heroism and the great sacrifices that occurred against incredible odds and the pride that comes with being a …show more content…
It was much more than a successful battle. Tarawa led to improved amphibious techniques and contributed to the final victory over Japan. At Tarawa, success could only come when the island, which was under attack, was taken in its entirety. The seventy-six hour battle left behind high causalities which was questioned by Americans. “The 2d Marine Division would need the equivalent of four replacement battalions to restore its strength before the battle at Tarawa. One Marine died for every three hit, a reflection of savage, close-quarters fighting in Betio.” Hundreds of U.S. Servicemen remained unaccounted for from the battle until 1946 when a Graves Registration Service from the United States exhumed approximately five hundred Marines. The service was unable to locate Cemetery 27, a temporary burial site, where alexander Bonnyman and other Marines were placed. “In 1949, Bonnyman and others’ remains were declared “unrecoverable” by the Quartermaster General’s Office.” Alexander Bonnyman’s grandson was persistent in finding his grandfather’s grave and having him returned to the United States. This year, 2015, Alexander “Sandy” Bonnyman’s remains were located and confirmed by dental records. He was one of four Medal of Honor recipients and, the last to be accounted for. “Bonnyman was buried in Knoxville, Tennessee on September 27,