The History

The letters from Morris Anthony to Helen may have trickled off in June due to the operational tempo of the USS Waller.  The USS Waller escorted Task Group 51.18 to Saipan by way of the Kwajalein atoll and crossed the 180^th Meridian on June 5, 1944.  Task Group 51.18 was to support the occupation of the Marianas Islands and would land on whichever Island the situation dictated.  Saipan became its designated objective.  USS Waller would bombard Japanese positions on the Island. [1]

At 1755 (5:55 PM) on the evening of June 18, the USS Waller and her sister ship USS Pringle entered Magicienne Bay to engage an enemy tank attack.  The Waller closed to the beach to get a better view, and at 1758, all engine were stopped to give the watch a better look at the shore.  Three minutes later, Japanese artillery opened up on the two destroyers.

Surging forward under a smokescreen, the two destroyers made a tactical withdrawal from the Bay with enemy shells falling around the ships.  The USS Waller returned fire but noted in her after action report, “possibly the terrain favored the Japanese and no good point of aim was offered the director pointer.” [2]

The Letter

Apparently, RM1C Anthony did not feel the need to write Helen about the excitement in the previous month, and focused his letter on more mundane shipboard details.  It is a longstanding tradition among stoic military men to try to not worry the “folks back home.”

The History

The USS Waller took part in Operation FORAGER in late July through August.  First, as part of the screening force for the US invasion of Guam.  After the battle of Guam, in August the Waller conducted fire support and screening missions off of Tinian Island.  Following these battles, the USS Waller returned to the West Coast with the rest of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 for refit and repairs, not returning to combat operations until the Philippine Islands in November of 1944. [3]

Aftermath

As our nation once again weathers a global disaster, it is easy to forget that Americans have faced adversity and hardship before and triumphed over it.  Not only did Morris and Helen’s love persevere through a World War, Helen supported “M.D.” through a naval career that saw him rise to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and serve in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. [4]  They were successful parents, raising children while traveling the world.  And through a well earned retirement, both continued to serve their fellow man through volunteer work with their church. [5]  They remain a testament to the American spirit.

SOURCES:

1.) Dictionary of American Fighting Ships Online. https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/w/waller.html

2.) Ibid.

3.) Ibid.

4.)  Obituary. The Gazette.  Colorado Springs, CO.  October 10, 2004.  Accessed online 8 Mar 2020.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100843609/morris-duane-anthony

5.)  Obituary. The Gazette.  Colorado Springs, CO.  July 20, 2004.  Accessed online 8 Mar 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100843926/helen-pauline-anthony