Marines in jungle-fighting togs aboard the transport take shelter from the tropic sun in the shade of two landing boats. They give their weapons a final cleanup. Boats are fueled and ready for landing. The convoy of transports and escorts vessels moves swiftly up the "slot," sailors' name for the narrow northwestern passage through the Soloman Islands. Savo, the Russells, Rendova, and Vella Lavella, made historic by the Marines, are left behind. The objective, Bougainville, and the island of Buka north of it, are the last Jap-held strongholds in the Solomons group. This scene is on the transport flagship, where Lieutenant Draper was stationed. Navy artists are assigned sea duties on shipboard and stand regular watches.Copyright National Geographic Society. Published in April 1944 issue.
Oil painting by Lieut. William F. Draper, USNR
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