K Company establishes their line among constant shelling. The scene is deafening with machine and gun rattle. Casualties mount immediately and Sledge learns that a large portion of his company has already been killed. After digging in for the night, he witnesses Mac still frantically digging, devoid of his former swagger. The men have the urge to laugh at him but resist.

The next morning, the Marines open mortar fire. The Japanese return fire and Sledge and company wait in their foxholes in the rain and mud to avoid further casualties. The work of getting wounded Marines on stretchers is dangerous, as it requires the Marines to step out into the field of battle. Sledge witnesses men nearly shot by the Japanese while carrying a wounded Marine to safety.

Company K continues to push forward, joined by new officers and extra ammo. Sledge is buoyed when he encounters the face of an old friend, who is wounded but has also lived through all the fighting thus far. Kamikaze planes pass overheard and the Marines live in constant fear of death.