Before American troops captured Japanese-held islands in the South Pacific during World War II, there were those who did the dangerous preparation work.
Among those were the soldiers who swam miles from their boat to reach the shores to move quietly through the brush to identify Japanese troop strength and the locations. Their work also involved gauging the off-shore water level to determine how close the boats carrying the American troops could reach the beaches – all in the darkness of night.
One of those soldiers was Alvin Hayes, now 98, a resident of Red Oak.
“I’m still on my feet, pretty much independent, yet,” Hayes told The Nonpareil in a recent interview.
Hayes has been selected as grand marshal for this year’s Council Bluffs Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9.
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Hayes enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served between 1943 and 1946 as a Navy SEAL.
“Originally, it was called frogs,” he said. “I served in the Scouts and Raiders.”
Hayes was among two dozen SEALs assigned to do undercover preparation work on islands in the Philippines, as well as Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
United State Navy and World War II veteran Alvin Hayes, 98, poses for a portrait inside his Red Oak home holding a photo of himself during his active duty years. Hayes has been selected as grand marshal for this year’s Council Bluffs Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Their mission was to gather and relay important information for the planned invasions by U.S Marine Corp and Navy personnel.
To reach these islands, they would have to sometimes swim many miles after being dropped off by their boat to avoid being noticed by the enemy, Hayes said.
“Even if the weather was bad, we still went,” he said.
U.S. planes took pictures from the air of Japanese troops, but more detailed information had to come on the ground, including a more precise number of Japanese troop strength and weaponry.
“We had to find out how big their military was and if they had heavy artillery,” Hayes said.
They also had to measure how deep the water near the shore was for determining how close or far ships could safely unload the invading troops.
What’s more, they had to perform their duties silently using hand signals to communicate with each other, Hayes said.
“And we had to carry a backpack on our backs,” he said.
Their nightly mission began around 10:30 p.m.and ended at the break of dawn.
“They told us whatever you do, don’t get caught,” Hayes said. “We need this information.”
Hayes and the others were highly trained to do this kind of undercover work, he said.
“There were only 24 of us who did this,” he said. “We saw a lot of action every night and the Japanese never knew we were there.”
Hayes can finally relive all of this now.
“We made a promise to our federal government,” he said. “I couldn’t tell one word about this for 65 years. My parents never knew. My brothers and sisters didn’t know about it. I had to live with this every night. I’m allowed to talk about this now. I can remember it like it was yesterday.”
Many years later, Hayes was awarded the Trident insignia, which signifies a qualified SEAL for his service in World War II.
“I’m the only one left,” he said.
Meanwhile, plans are coming together for this year’s veterans parade, said Bradley Powell, president of the Council Bluffs Veterans Day Parade Foundation.
Close to 50 entries have signed up with more expected, he said. There are lots of volunteers, also, he added.
“Things are falling into place,” Powell said.
This annual parade is held on the Saturday prior to Veterans Day.
“We’re recognizing our veterans,” he said.
The parade, which starts at 11 a.m., will travel the same route as in the past. It begins at Ninth Avenue and Main Street, then travels north on Pearl Street to the loop around the veterans monuments by Broadway, then south on Main to Ninth Avenue.
A pre-parade breakfast will be held at the 4th Street Bar and Grill, 716 S. 4th St, followed by a free lunch for veterans there after the parade, Powell said. A free will donation for lunch for others will be available.
