User blog:LB&SCR/Minoso's Squad vs. Roebuck's Squad



It's a confrontation on the Pacific Front that no one is likely to forget as the two toughest bunches of marines prepare to duke it out. Minoso's Squad: a tightly knit band of marines who did their best to stay together throughout the raid on Makin Atoll, the campaign on Guadalcanal, and the Assault on the island of Tarawa. They will face Roebuck's Squad, the fierce, battle-hardened group of marines who fought from the beginning of the War in the Pacific all the way until the Japanese Empire was finally brought down. This battle will involve a lot of friendly fire, and in the end, which squad will end up being the Deadliest Warriors

Minoso's Squad
The marines of Minoso's squad have been together since bootcamp, and after a bit of seperation, they are back together in time for a raid on the island of Makin Atoll, where they are originally part of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. They began with simple recon and sabotage mission, which then turned into a rescue mission as the scout plane was shot down by Anti-Aircraft fire. They went to go and rescue the pilot, and managed to get him alive back to the USS Nautilus. They are then transferred to the 1st Marine Raiders before their assault on Guadalcanal, where they helped defend Henderson Airfield from repeated Japanese Attack, and then the battle of Bloody Ridge. After the defensive, they are temporarily turned into Flyboys, flying SBD Dauntless Bombers against a Japanese base and a single Destroyer and Carrier. When they get back to the fleet, they then go and assault the Island of Tarawa, where they destory artillery, take out a command bunker, and eventually capture the last stronghold on the island.

Frank Minoso


Sergeant Frank Minoso is the commander of the squad during the majority of the campaign in Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault. He was a very skilled machinist in his youth, and wanted to open his own garage, but with the threat of War in the pacific, he signed up for the marines. Having a large, hulking frame, Minoso is easily the strongest person on the squad, having completely dismembered a melee training dummy during bootcamp, when everyone else only managed to push it backwards. During the time between bootcamp and the raid on Makin, it is hinted that Frank may have been at either the Battle of Bataan or in the West Indies when the Japanese invaded.

Frank's BAR is his most prized possesion, it being his primary weapon. During the mission Flyboys, Frank's Dauntless is being pursued by an enemy Zero. Depending upon the players reaction speed, Frank's Dauntless is either Destroyed by the Zero, or the Zero is destroyed by the player, resulting in either Frank's Death, or only in him being sent back to the states for his wounds. Either way, Frank Minoso takes no more part in the campaign, and passes his BAR onto Tommy Conlin, who is promoted to Sergeant upon Frank's parting.

Weapons

Tommy Conlin


"No matter how much training you got or how strong you are, when you strap up and step on a battlefield for the first time, it changes you forever"

- Tommy Conlin

Private Thomas "Tommy" Conlin (though by the end of the campaign he is a Sergeant) is the player character during the campaign of Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault. He was only 15 when he decided he wanted to join the marines after a recruiter gave a talk at his school. He enlisted in 1940 (at the age of 18), and first met his squadmates at bootcamp. During bootcamp, he earned the nickname "TommyGun" do to his easy mastery of Submachine Guns. When the group was split at boot camp, most of the group headed to either Bataan or the West Indies. Tommy stayed close to home, heading to Pearl Harbour to be stationed aboard the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. Luckily, he didn't make it to the Arizona. So instead, he went and saved the USS West Virginia from sinking. From the West Virginia, Conlin shoots down numerous Zeroes, at first with a .50 Water-cooled MG, and then with a Anti-Aircraft Mount.

After Pearl, Tommy was reunited with his bootcamp buddies for the raid on Makin. Working together as a well-oiled machine, the squad stayed together until an Air Battle near Guadalcanal. There, Tommy Conlin may or may not save the life of Frank Minoso. After Frank parted ways with them, Tommy became the squads new commander, leading them through to the end of the Tarawa campaign.

Tommy had gathered many soveniers over his travels as a marine: his cap from bootcamp,  a burnt XO's cap, a hood emblem from a Japanese Truck, pilot's goggles (from the pilot they rescued), an altimeter from a Zero, a Cactus Air Force Patch, a letter of commendation for the Silver Star, a Japanese Canteen, a busted padlock, a life jacket dye marker, and finally a Large Japanese Flag.

Weapons

Willy Gaines


William "Willy" Gaines is a 5 foot country boy from South Caronlina who was born with a rifle in his hand. He was a city treasure of his hometown, frequently being in the papers for winning the turkey shooting contests in both his own and the surrounding counties. At the age of 16, Willy gained his father's permission to lie about his age to join the Marine Corps. As the pride of his county, Willy was invited to the city hall to see his rifle retired from any further shooting contests, and given a key to the city before heading off to bootcamp. As with most of the squad besides Tommy, he was either stationed in Bataan or the West Indies before the raid on Makin.

After bootcamp Willy again proved his shooting prowess, and was appointed the squad's marksman after they were reunited before the raid on Makin. Throughout the campaign, Willy has gotten along well with most of his squad, the only slightly rough spot being with Frank Minoso, with Willy calling Frank a liar with all his womanizing stories, and with Frank making fun of Willy's supposedly low intelligence. Despite the vitriolic relationship between him and Frank, they manage to put their differences aside when they get into the firefights.

Weapons

Jimmy Sullivan


"I knew it man! We're sitting ducks out here!"

- Jimmy Sullivan upon the squad being attacked by two Zeroes

James "Jimmy" Sullivan is navy corpsman who serves in Minoso's Squad. Unlike most of his squad members, Jimmy came from a rich, prestigious family. Also unlike most of the squad members, Jimmy was not born in the 1920's, but in 1918, making him the oldest out of his squadmates. Most of his experience came from Northwestern University's Med School, but everyone was shocked when he dropped out as a Junior to join the Navy. There, after taking the medical verification courses, he was designated a corpsman. It was there that he was assigned to take part in and monitor the required bootcamp.

Jimmy does were glasses, though it is never said what exactly they are needed for. While Jimmy is a corpsman, he isn't able to much of the actual fighting during the games, but that doesn't mean he never puts his weapon to use. It is said that he probably used it when stationed in Bataan or the West Indies, but he really puts it to use in Making and the following campaigns.

Weapons

Doyle
[No Picture Available]

"He shot himself in the foot! He shot himself in the foot!"

- Doyle upon a rookie shooting himself in the foot.

Doyle was a marine in Minoso's squad during the raid on Making Atoll. When they were going through the raining forests, a rookie tripped and shot himself in the foot. Unaware of the enemy snipers in the trees, Doyle stood and started laughing and making fun of the rookie for shooting himself in the foot. That was before he was sniped by a Japanese Sniper in the tree. Though, if it hadn't been for that, the rest of the squad wouldn't of been able to route out the snipers that were there, as they had failed to notice them.

Weapons

Roebuck's Squad
These soldiers of Roebuck's squad were first seen in in the 1942 raid on Makin Atoll, when they went to rescue Private Miller and his recon squad that had been captured by the Japanese on the island. There Miller and the rest of the squad managed to stick together until the assault on the island of Peleliu, when Sgt. Sullivan is killed by a Katana wielding Japanese Soldier. It is there that Roebuck took command of the squad and led them through the rest of the bloody fighting over the Island of Peleiu. Then they go and assault the island of Okinawa, assaulting Shuri Castle. It is here, depending on player action, the player can save either Roebuck or Polonsky from deceptive Japanese soldiers pretending to surrender.

Sergeant Roebuck


"We're all numbered by Sullivan's death. We just never saw it coming."

- Sergeant Roebuck

Roebuck is originally a corporal that is part of the invasion force that assaults Makin Island to rescue Private Miller and his recon squad that had been taken prisoner. They rescue Miller's recon squad and their support squad. About two years later at the assault on Peleliu island, Roebuck, Miller, Sullivan, and a new soldier named Polonsky start fighting their way through to the end of a bunker. There, everyone is caught by surprise as a Japanese soldier charges in and stabs Sergeant Sullivan.

From then on that Roebuck becomes the squad leader as a sergeant, and leads his squad throughout the remainder of the fight on Peleliu Island and crushes the remaining Japanese forces there. Approximentally about a year later, Roebuck, Miller, and Polonsky are part of the assault on Okinawa. After fighting through numerous Japanese soldiers, they storm Shuri castle, where three Japanese soldiers are surrendering. Depending upon player action, either Roebuck or Polonsky can be saved when the surrender turns out to be a ruse.

Weapons

Private Miller


"I've seen things that no training can prepare you for, that I know of."

- Private Miller

Private C. Miller is the player-controlled character of the American Campaign of Call of Duty: World at War. Private Miller is first seen during the invasion of Makin Atoll. Before he can be executed by a Japanese soldier, he is saved by then Corporal Roebuck. They then proceed to tear through the Japanese installation. They then try to board a raft at the extraction point, but an explosion knocks down Miller, and he his sliced by a katana-wielding soldier. He is then saved by Sullivan and then dragged onto a boat. After storming Peleliu, and losing Sergeant Sullivan.

Surviving Peleliu, the group then assaults Okinawa. There they decimate Japanese forces despite being low on supplies, and after storming Shuri castle, three Japanese decided to surrender. Polonsky and Roebuck go to apprehend them, but after turning towards Miller, the ruse comes out and the Japanese attack. Depending on Player choice, they can save either Miller or Polonsky.

Weapons

Private Polonsky


"Those F***** animals, they killed him! Your all going to hell, ya here me? You're going straight to hell!"

- Polonsky after Roebuck being killed

Private Polonsky was a young marine that served under both Sergeant Sullivan and Sergeant Roebuck alongside Private Miller. Part of the 'new breed' of marine, he first seen in 'Little Resistance,' on the LVT carrying Miller, Roebuck, and Sullivan. He helps the group fight their way to the end of the level, where he is there to see Sullivan get killed by a katana wielding soldier, where both Polonsky and Roebuck open fire at Sullivan's assailant. After Roebuck's promotion, they assault and hold a Japanese airfield against multiple counter-attacks before F4U Corsairs end the attack.

During the assault on Okinawa and the battle of Wana Ridge, he complains about the lack of supplies, and then takes part in assaulting Shuri Castle. It is after decimating the garrison of the castle, three Japanese Soldiers attempt to surrender. As Polonsky and Roebuck attempt to apprehend them, one grabs Polonsky and the other two grab Roebuck. Depending upon player action, either Roebuck or Polonsky.

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Sergeant Sullivan


"Fix bayonets, use them if you have to!"

- Sergeant Sullivan

Sergeant Tom Sullivan is the original commander of the squad. During the invasion of Makin Atoll, while Roebuck saves Miller from one soldier, Sullivan is busy strangling the officer. When they are later assaulting Peleliu Island, Sullivan and the squad exit the LVT and struggle up the beach before finally breaking out. They then go on through the mission recieving help from naval rocket strikes.

After cleaning out a building of the enemy, and using rocket strikes to clear out the surrounding area, Sullivan tries to force a door open, when a scream reaches their ears and a Japanese soldier wielding a katana bursts through the door and impales Sergeant Sullivan, mortally wounding him. Fire from Roebuck, Polonsky, and Miller then kills the assailant, and Sullivan dies shortly after.

Weapons

Rooker


"The artillery on the point has been knocked out."

- Rooker

Rooker was the radioman of the Marine Raider team that rescued Private Miller from torture by Japanese soldiers. Later on, during the assault, the group encounters several Japanese soldier laying in a clearing. Rooker recieves orders to check and see if another squad had come through the area before they had, when a flare rises into the air, blinding all the soldiers and allowing the ruse to work and the Japanese to rise and strike. It is possible that either Rooker will die here, be saved the player, or another soldier will take the strike for him and die instead.

Rooker is seen again in the mission "Relentless," know as a Sergeant. He, along with the squad of soldiers, run and attack the Japanese defenses on 'The Point.' After clearing out the Japanese on the point, Rooker radios and says to relay to Major Gordon that the point has been cleared, and that the artillery won't be bothering them any more.

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X-Factors
Both Roebuck's and Minoso's men have been through hell and back. For Roebuck's men, it was Makin, Peleliu, and Okinawa. For Minoso's men, it was their seperate expierences in Bataan and the West Indies (for Frank, Willy, and Jimmy) and Pearl Harbour (for Tommy), and then the Group Experiences of Makin, Guadalcanal, and Tarawa. Roebuck's Squad have simply been in the war longer [1942-1945 compared to 1941-1943 (game ends in 1943)] and faced tougher missions under harsher circumstances.

Logistics is always kinda going to be a problem when you're deep in the jungle. Minoso's Squad never really seems to have logistical problems, as when they did run out of ammo, there were plenty of weapons to pick up that had been dropped by friendly casualties, and they rarely have to use enemy weapons. While Roebuck's Squad often have to pick up discarded Japanese firearms to continue the fight, not to mention Polonsky's verbal complaints about the supply problem.

Both squads suffer from 'Playercharacter-itus,' of the fact that the player characters tend to do most of the work. The only rough patches in the relationship between the men of Minoso's Squad is the fact that Willy Gaines and Frank Minoso fight occasionally, but all that is often forgotten during the firefights and patrols, minus the few times that Minoso has to ask his men to shut up. You also need your squad with you in Pacific Assault because the AI is a bit smarter, and can kill you a bit easier. Sure, Roebuck's Squad pushes forward together and fights together, but Miller does almost all the work.

Due to the fact that they both take on the same types of missions, this is very close. Minoso & Co. have raided Makin, defended airfields, and attacked island fortresses. Roebuck's squad has done the same thing. Roebuck's Squad get's the edge because the fact that they've had a longer time in the fight, that they've been able to fine-tune their tactics a bit more.

Both squads have leaders that are people that their fellow squadmates look-up too. Due to the semi-frequent arguements between Minoso and Gaines, and the fact that Minoso's Squad are more like a group of brothers that have little tiny squabbles gives them their score, that, and after Minoso left, Conlin had shoes to fill. Roebuck also had shoes to fill after the passing of Sullivan, but was still very confident in his abilities as a Sergeant, something that Conlin lacked during the final battle.