Name: Walter J. Liska
Unit: 130th Infantry
Rank: Technician 4th Grade
Volunteer: No
Drafted: Yes
Induction: Camp Dodge, Iowa
When: March 3, 1943,
Age: 22
Discharged: December 13, 1945
Overseas: June 20, 1943

Weapons:

All that were required - 03, M1, BAR, Carbine, Pistol ?

Decorations:

Good Conduct, Combat Inf Badge, 2 bronze stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/one bronze star. Never received medal.

First Combat:

Rosario, Luzon, Philippine Islands in Feb. 1945, I was the Battalion Clerk of the lst Bn Hq, of 130th and the B/C wanted his personnel at hand. We slept in foxholes and were bombarded by a naval weapon of the Japanese who had it on a track and would return it to a cave. Our CP was also hit at night, which was located in a native hut, but we were in foxholes.

Vivid Memory:

The most vivid memory of combat was the nights spent at the junction of San Fernando Road and Kennon Road (?) the road to Baguio, in a headquarters in a a former church. Enemy troops were expected from the North on their way to Baguio.  We had an antitank gun at the intersection with troops in foxholes along Kennon Road.  The enemy came down from the North onto Kennon Road without interference from our troops.  Of course, that did not sit well and the next night, Captain Joe O. Ellis was with the crew at the anti-tank gun and a large number of enemy troops also came down on their way to Baguio, however, all hell broke loose.

The artillery from overhead, a crusier off the coast, the P51's overhead, it was like nothing I had heard before or afterwards.  Investigation into why no shots were fired the first night, found  the enemy troops at that time were PU's, but that did not serve as an excuse. I think it was overlooked when, as I remember, after the second night's success. We scouted the area and one prisoner was found but others had been killed in the resulting gunfire the previous night.  I was on a field phone during this time - had to know what was transpiring.

Other memories was the time the artillery hit a dump which contained the silver apparently from the banks of Manila.  This was in the area I believe of the Company C, l30th.  All that money was a sight to behold.  What and where it ended up, I do not know.

Funniest Memory:

What was funny, but tragic to a degree, was the Saturday's Regimental Inspection in the area we occupied in Hemeji, Japan.  The motor pool had been scoured and was in great shape for the inspection in the morning.  About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, I noticed smoke coming from that area and when the Japanese firemen arrived, it was interesting to see how they scrambled around.  Of course, the smoke was quite dense because tires were involved, but the fire was contained with only limited amount of damage, as I remember.

Worst Memory:

Probably the worse time for me was when I finished my basic training, what was going to happen.  From Camp Roberts, in California, we were set to Camp Stoneman, which I remember to be a desolate place.  Not much vegetation and the buildings, that horrid army green.  I guess I was depressed, not knowing what the future held.  I was then fortunate to be assigned to "B" Company, 1st Bn, 130th Infantry, whose first sergeant was Sergeant Roy R. Watkins.  He was the steadying influence, as he didn't get excited, but took everything in stride.  I have been fortunate to know this man, who is approaching his 90th birthday for all these 60 years.  He had a disposition, which I found to be one could envy.

Another incident which comes to mind, was while awaiting transportation to Ft. Leavenworth for discharge after returning to the States at Vancouver Barracks.  A number of fellows waiting for transportation out, were assembled in a barracks, shooting the breeze as the weather was windy and raining.  All of a sudden, we noticed a tree coming down, which crashed into the barracks where we had been sitting.  We all thought of the irony, of getting killed in an accident of that type, after the combat we had experienced.

Final Comments:

Our heart and thoughts have been with all those fellows, with whom we had trained, went overseas with, but who did not come back with us.  We are now in our last few years of a life we have enjoyed. because we had been spared.  I feel only those who have served in time of war, can really appreciate what our troops experience each and every day, putting their life on the line so that we may continue to live the life of a free country.

Casualty List || Personal Accounts