US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

Logistics: August 1942-Febvaary 1943 425
support your plans. Just as soon as possible, I will fly in to see you in order to
be able better to help you out. Up to the present I have not been able to come,
since we have all been working night and day to get things moving toward
you and I have thought it better for me to stay here in charge.”
However, Commander Compton’s written orders from CINCPAC centered
around an air base, and Compton had landed during a period when
the airfield had no steel matting and hence was vulnerable to rain, as well
as to bombing and shelling. Keeping the airstrip in shape and building up
communications took Compton’s time. Although requested by despatch on
a number of occasions and by letter on 15 September, his first plan for
development of an Advanced Naval Base in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area
went forward about 28 September 1942.4’ In a subsequent letter Com-
mander Compton stated:
My main difficulty has been the lack of qualified officers to whom I could turn
over details so that I would be free to proceed with more general plans. so
Captain Compton’s present remembrance is supported by the few official
documents located. On 27 September 1942, as Commanding Officer of CUB
One, he wrote to $$)MAIRSOPAC:
I have, in the employment of CUB One, endeavored to carry out the spirit
of CINJCPAC serial 09$)10 [supporting plan] for which CUB One and Thir-
teen were sent out. This involved the construction, operation, administration
and maintenance of a land plane base at CACTUS, seaplane base at RING-
BOLT; radio, harbor defense, hospital and other facilities. I consider that still
my mission.51
His remembrance of his aspects of the logistic support problem on
Guadalcanal was:
The basic difference between Kelly Turner and me was: Why were the CUBS
in SOPAC—to build bases or to support troops? 52
Rear Admiral Turner, upset by the supply support difficulties of the first
month of improvised logistic support of the Marines and the lack of any
real start toward the development of bases in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area,
became convinced in early September 1942, that there had to be a Flag officer
whose primary duty was the planning, the development, and the perform-
48RKT to AAV, letter, 23 Aug. 1942,
40(a) C/S COMPHIBFORSOPAC to RKT, rnemorandurn of 26 Aug. 1942; (b) COMSOPAC,
dispatches 072206, 231326 Sep. 1943; (c) COMPHIBFORSOPAC to COMADVBASE CACTUS-
RINGBOLT, letter, 15 Sep. 1942.
wJPC to RKT, letter, 8 Oct. 1942.
“ COMCUBO to COMAIRSOPAC, letter, 27 Sep. 1942.
‘2Compton.