He fought like seven devils.
"He served and died in hell.
"Grant this Marine a rest, Lord.
"He did his duty well."
His comrades nailed this epitaph
Upon his shallow grave,
And prayed the Lord to guard the road
Of glory that he paved.
Guadalcanal was fertile
With the graves wherein he lay.
And Tarawa was taken
With the blood and guts he paid.
They saw him die on Bougainville
And buried in the sand
Upon that bloody beach of Guam,
Tinian and Saipan.
The flag upon that rocky mound.