"Using the timer, I photographed us with our maids, whose services were included in the cost of the room. Initially we were confused as to their function, wondering if they were prostitutes. We were surprised when the women prepared our beds, cleaned the room, and after sleeping behind a large screen prepared our breakfast. The only unpleasant surprise was discovering that our pillows were blocks of wood covered with cloth."

From: O'Donnell, Joe. Japan 1945: A U.S. Marine's Photographs from Ground Zero. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 2005.