"You really don't realize how destructive war is until you really see it." (Audio Interview, 10:49)

Tony Fileff

Tony Fileff June 1943 War: World War, 1939-1945; Korean War, 1950-1953 Branch: Marine Corps; Marine Corps Unit: 22nd Regiment, 6th Marine Division; 22nd Regiment, 6th Marine Division Service Location: Hawaiian Islands; Guam (Mariana Islands); Okinawa Island (Ryukyu Islands); China; also: Korea Rank: First Lieutenant; First Lieutenant Place of Birth: IN

When he volunteered to go to Okinawa as part of the replacement troops, Marine Corps First Lieutenant Tony Fileff was unprepared for the "utter destruction" that he observed upon landing on the island. Arriving midway through the battle, he was stunned to see the devastating effects of the war on the Okinawan civilian population, as well as on the Japanese and American forces. Witnessing starving and wounded women and children crawl out of their hiding places in caves left an indelible mark on the young Marine.