The first document that I have in my possession which shows my father's enlistment is dated April 14, 1942. It is addressed to Private First Class Burtle H. Gibson, USMCR(V). The document says "You are hereby assigned to PLU., 8th Reserve District, the headquarters of which is at Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Forida." My father related a different way in which commanders of the Japanese military died at Okinawa. Those who have been skeptical have told me that it would have been impossible for my father, B.H. Gibson, to have led the patrol he described because he did not arrive on Okinawa until June 1945. Most of the military documents do state that he arrived on Okinawa in June 1945. However, I do have a document entitled, "Form NAVMC "Officer's Qualification Record" which lists his overseas service as "Left U.S. April 1945" and "Returned to U.S. May 1946." A departure dated April 1945 would be consistent with the story my father related on an audio cassette tape. My father recalled that he arrived on Okinawa by airplane about 3 days after the first assault. Can anyone help by indicating if you saw my father, B.H. Gibson, April through June 1945 and where did you see him? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Carolyn Sparks
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