Ground ZeroI
t didn’t take long after Corporal Earnie Grafton shut down the outboard for the Raiders to catch a rhythm with the paddles. The boat was heavy with so many people aboard, but it was deathly silent on the final approach to the objective. They reached the splash point for Steamer Bartlett a little after midnight. “Go get ʼem, Steamer,” Shake whispered as the big sailor slid silently over the side, adjusted his facemask, and began an energy-saving breast stroke toward the Aquarama II which they could see as a big dark silhouette off to their left. Gunny Simmons gave the signal and the Marines along the sides of the IBS began to stroke toward the beach.
They maneuvered through gentle surf lapping against the island’s white sand and backstroked to stop just short of touchdown on
