39 places named in the diary · 11 chapters

The journey

From a training station in Idaho to the waters off Tokyo. Every point below comes from Elmer’s own entries, grouped into the chapters of his war. Select one to open the diary at the passages connected to that place; while you read, the same map keeps track of where he was.

THE PACIFIC, 1942–1945

58 stops the diary itself records, at 31 places, joined in order. Select a marker to open the diary there.

The dashed line follows the places where the diary itself puts him, in order. It is an approximate journey, not an exact ship’s track. Select a marker to open the diary at the entries from that place.

All places, by chapter

Each place is listed under the chapter of the diary it belongs to, from training in Idaho to the orders home. Counts are diary mentions. Each opens the diary at the entries that name the place, with the map alongside.

Chapter 1 · September 1942 – March 1944Enlistment, Tarawa, and Majuro

Farragut, Idaho1University of Illinois1Camp Pendleton, California1Point Hueneme, California1Pearl Harbor, Hawaii5Tarawa, Gilbert Islands1Gilbert Islands1Abemama, Gilbert Islands1Majuro, Marshall Islands1Marshall Islands1

Chapter 2 · June 1944Aboard The Sullivans: Saipan and the Philippine Sea

Saipan, Mariana Islands9Tinian, Mariana Islands2Pagan Island, Marianas3Eniwetok, Marshall Islands5

Chapter 3 · July – August 1944Iwo Jima, Guam, and Palau

Bonin Islands1Iwo Jima2Guam3Woleai, Caroline Islands3Yap, Caroline Islands1Palau8

Chapter 4 · September 1944Palau and the Philippines

Philippine Islands6Mindanao, Philippines3Negros, Philippines2Luzon, Philippines15Cebu, Philippines1Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands24

Chapter 5 · October 1944Formosa and Leyte Gulf

Formosa (Taiwan)15Leyte, Philippines7Samar, Philippines1

Chapter 6 · November 1944Luzon and the kamikazes

Manila, Philippines4

Chapter 7 · December 1944Mindoro and Typhoon Cobra

Manus, Admiralty Islands3Mindoro, Philippines2

Chapter 8 · January – early February 1945Into the South China Sea

South China Sea3Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina1Hong Kong2

Chapter 9 · February – March 1945Tokyo, Iwo Jima, and the Franklin

Tokyo, Japan18

Chapter 10 · April – May 1945Okinawa

Okinawa18Kyushu, Japan1

Chapter 11 · June 1945Leyte and orders home

Paramushiro, Kuril Islands1