Camp Elliott
Michael's ID Card. On the card, his birth date is incorrect. He was born in 1922. On the back of this card is his girl friend's address in San Diego. She was a singer named Ruth Amago.
After graduation, Michael was assigned infantry training at Camp Elliott on April 24, 1943. During his time at Camp Elliott, several family members and friends wanted to know when he would return home for a visit. One day, in the summer of 1943, he surprised them all by showing up! During his visit home, he often wore a set of dress blues with corporal stripes that he was not entitled to wear. Theory has it that the uniform was borrowed from an NCO he was friends with in San Diego. He also had his photo taken in the borrowed uniform with borrowed medals. As the family liked to say, he remained a "free spirit". That summer visit would be the last time his family saw him.
The visit was actually Michael being AWOL. He was absent from Camp Elliott from June 19 to July 16, 1943. He returned to Camp Elliott on his own and was possibly sent to the brig. On August 3, 1943 he joined Casual Company at U. S. Naval Hospital MCRD where he was hospitalized with appendicitis until August 21, 1943 . Upon his release, he re-joined his Infantry Training Battalion. He was tried by Summary Court Martial on September 7, 1943 . On September 16, the Summary Court Martial was approved, but is not clear what punishment Michael received. Michael was assigned to the 27th Replacement Battalion on September 25, 1943. The Battalion departed from San Diego, CA for the Pacific aboard the SS Mormachawk on October 23, 1943.
Michael was on his way to combat in Cape Gloucester and then Peleliu. He would be one of 1,200 Marines to die at Peleliu.
Summer, 1943, during Michael's "visit" home. Michael's father, Anton Lazaro Sr., is standing on the far left. His mother is standing second from the right.
Michael (left) and 2 buddies in front of Earl Carroll Theatre in Hollywood, 1943.
Cape Gloucester
Marines hit three feet of rough water as they leave their LST to take the beach at Cape Gloucester, New Britain. December 26, 1943. (National Archives, Department of Defense, USMC #68998)
Michael left San Diego, CA with the 27th Replacement Battalion on October 23, 1943 aboard the SS Mormachawk and arrived at Noumea, New Caledonia in the Pacific on November. 10, 1943. He left Noumea on November 26, 1943 aboard the USAT Maui and arrived at Goodenough Island on December 4, 1943. At this point, the records become unclear, but somehow Michael arrived at Cape Sudest, Papua, New Guinea. While at the Sambogo staging area at Cape Sudest, he was subjected to aerial bombardment on three occasions.
Michael was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines (C-1-7). In joining the 1st Marine Pioneers, he was joining the unit that spearheaded the Guadalcanal invasion, a unit known as the “Old Breed”. Michael's specialty was Browning Automatic Rifleman (BAR).
He departed Cape Sudest on December 24, 1943 for Cape Gloucester, New Britain and participated in the invasion on December. 26, 1943. Cape Gloucester was Michael’s first major action.
Marine dealing with the ever-present mud on Cape Gloucester.
(National Archives, Department of Defense, USMC)
A Marine on Cape Gloucester. Note the muddy conditions. Some veterans said it rained everyday.
(National Archives, Department of Defense, USMC #72273)
