Daniel Martin Polonsky (20 May 1926) He is a United States Marine Corps during Pacific war during WW2. He was assigned to the 1st Marine Division and fought under Sergeant Tom Sullivan's and Sergeant Ben Roebuck's command. Participated in the Battle of Peleliu and Okinawa
Biography[]
Early life[]
Daniel Polonsky was born on 20 May 1926 in New York, in a family of Polish immigrants. Even as a child, Polonsky started playing sports and was a troubled and pugnacious child with a straightforward and tough disposition. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he swore to himself that he would join the US Army, which happened after his 18th birthday in 1944.
Peleliu[]
On September 15, 1944 during the beach landing on the island Peleiu , he, along with Sgt. Tom Sullivan, Cpl. Ben Roebuck and Miller, are sailing on a boat towards Peleliu Island, a mortar shell hit their boat, most of the fighters drowned, but Polonsky, thanks to his physically developed body, was able to get out of the water on his own. The detachment breaks deep into the island, Miller destroys, Imperial Japanese tanks that prevent the allies from passing. The fighters were celebrating the victory, but a Japanese officer with a katana suddenly jumped out of the door and killed the commander of the detachment - Sullivan. The Marines mourned the loss of their commander, and Polonsky was no exception. Now, under the command of Roebuck, the Marines began to recapture the airfield. On the way they met: a Japanese ambush of Banzai attackers, Japanese tanks and enemy bunkers. Finally, the fighters recaptured the airfield, Polonsky could not believe that they had succeeded, to which Roebuck noticed that the Marines were not capable of such a thing and he had not yet been on Makin. But the victory celebration disrupted the Japanese counteroffensive, under the energetic leadership of Roebuck, Miller destroyed a lot of enemy manpower and tanks, and with the allied napalm bombing, the Marines finally captured the enemy airfield. Now the fighters have begun to sweep the enemy mortar crews. Polonsky and Roebuck actively helped Miller when he burned out enemy positions with a flamethrower. Despite the snipers and a lot of Banzai attackers, the guys were still able to destroy all enemy mortar crews by paving the way with an allied tank. On September 16, Roebuck received an order to finish off the enemy artillery in the caves. During a tank trip, the fighters stumbled upon a Japanese ambush, but quickly reacted and destroyed it. With the help of a flamethrower tank, the Marines cleared the area and entered the caves. Finally, having cleaned up the Roebuck caves and Polonsky celebrating the victory, they remember what a high price the Marines took the mountain, Miller is of the same opinion.
Okinawa[]
Seven months later, the US 1st Marines, despite the lack of ammunition, received an order to capture the Van Ridge. Polonsky was greatly annoyed by the lack of supplies, but Roebuck interrupted all discussions and moved forward. On the way, the Marines often met banzai attackers jumping right out of the grass. After Miller burned out all the bunkers, the fighters went to clean out the enemy caves. After this was done, the soldiers began to load the wounded comrades. At this time, Major Gordon arrived to report problems with ammunition, and tried to console that the main Japanese forces had withdrawn to the northern ridge. The fighters were outraged by the lack of ammunition, but it was Polonsky who spoke for everyone. On May 29, the Marines began storming Shuri Castle, the last stronghold of Japanese resistance. Having survived the enemy ambush and artillery shelling, the fighters began to move deeper into the castle. After all the enemies were defeated on the ground, the fighters descended into the caves, destroying all resistance, the marines enter the center of the castle. Roebuck and Polonsky see 3 Japanese who are trying to surrender, but it was a trap, only Polonsky miraculously survived, beating to death the Japanese who attacked him, he notices that Roebuck died. Polonsky was furious and vowed to avenge his friend's death. Then the final and difficult battle began, the Marines suffered high losses, but did not give up. Polonsky and Miller fought as selflessly as possible, Polonsky shot back the whole fight, beat the Banzai attackers to death and uttered curses in their direction. The Marines waited for air support and captured Shuri Castle. Polonsky bitterly tears off the badge from the murdered sergeant and gives it to Miller, they blamed themselves for Roebuck's death, but they understood that if he were alive, he would be proud of them.
Korean War[]
During the Korean War, Polonsky is Promoted to the rank of Sergeant along with Miller being a Staff Sergeant and both men including other Marines landed in Incheon on September 1950. After the liberation of Seoul, the division was put back on ships and taken to the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula and landed at Wonsan on 26 October. Polonsky participated in all the major battles of this war and returned home in July 1953.
Later life[]
Every year Polonsky saw his brother-in-arms Miller. In the 50s he got married and had two sons, and worked as a bricklayer until his old age. Having buried his last friend, Miller is living out his old age in New York.