The Battle - The Land Battle

I am 15 years old and i guess i am the only one in my school who is interested in the pacific war.
I've read many books about the efforts of the US Marines in Guadalcanal,Saipan,Pavuvu,Iwo Jima and Okinawa and watched many war movies like "Flags of our fathers" "Letters from Iwo Jima" "The Windtalkers" and "Thin Red Line".

I just wanted to thank all the brave men who fought for a better world and I really appreciate what they've done for us.

Rest in peace Marines.

flags of our fathers is a great book and movie and the brave soldiers that died i want to thank them for there courage and strenght

I am looking for information on my Grand Father James Herman West. He probably went by Herman and he was a Pvt. with the 5/28 on Iwo Jima and the occupation force of Japan. He died in 1949 at the age of 39 so I never got to meet him as I was born in 1963. I Would like to find out what Battalion, Platoon, and Company he was in. I also served in the Corps from 1982-1986 with HMH-362.So to all the old breed still alive semper fi and thanks for leading the way to keep us free in this country.

Charles Herman Campbell,Cpl USMC 1982-1

I was in the Headquarters Squadron of VII Command which landed on Iwo
as I recall on Feb. 28th, 1945. There were six of us aboard the
USS Cape Georgia who landed on March 1,1945. There ultimately were 3
fighter groups of P51 mustangs, one group of P47 thunderbolts and
two night fighter squadrons equiped with P61 black widow night fighters. The banzi attack of the early morning of 26th March as the
Marines were leaving and the 21st fighter group along with other units
of the VII FTR Cmd were moving in. There were 44 killed and 88
wounded in VII FTR Cmd units.
I salute the United States Marines because I saw the 3rd, 4th and 5th
divisions in action. I shall never forget seeing those Marines at
the 3rd & 4th Divisions Cemetry who had been wrapped in some sort of
a blanket at the beginning of life and again wrapped in blankets at
the end of life. I also shall never forget attending the dedication
of the 5th Marine Division Cemetry. There were 2396 B29's that
landed on Iwo many of which could not have made it back to base in
the Marianas. God bless America again, You must know the trouble
that she is in, wash her pretty face, dry her eyes and then, God
bless america again.

My Grandpap served at Iwo Jima and he is still alive he was with the 28th Regiment 5th Division his name is Arthur Stewart Poling and I believe he was a machine gunner. We are from West Virginia and he still resides there and is very active in the DAV. I am wanting to know if anyone has any photos or stories about him.

Hello!!

You would have to be at least 86 years old to remember my uncle; PFC Dominick Taormina--Fifth Marine Division--killed in action on February 20th. during the battle of Iwo Jima. He was 21 years old, died for his country on the second day of battle, and was probably scared shitless.

Is it possible that someone out there may remember Dominick or knew him in his stationed USMC service in the states? If so please contact me.

Paul Dominick Costello
paul42248@hotmail.com

Thanks for that information....it will be a great help I am sure....I am seeking information on my Great Uncle, he died while on Iwo Jima. I want to find out exactly how he died, perhaps from someone still living that would remember him. I was told his jeep took a direct hit by a mortar round but I am not sure,

Here’s his official rank and stationing, he received the Silver Star: Montierth, Dan I, Sgt, KIA, Iwo Jima, 5thTankBn, USMC.

Thanks again,

Darryl

To anyone that can help,

What web site would be best to find out some information on my Great Uncle? He died while on Iwo Jima. I want to find out exactly how he died, perhaps from someone still living that would remember him. I was told his jeep took a direct hit by a mortar round but I am not sure, can you help? Direct? Here’s his official rank and stationing, he received the Silver Star: Montierth, Dan I, Sgt, KIA, Iwo Jima, 5thTankBn, USMC.

Thanks,

Darryl Pettit

I forgot to add my e-mail address. ecorrick44@att.net

IWO JIMA LANDING ~ USS DARKE, APA 159 Troop Transport ship

James Russell Hughes was a naval officer(two bars=Navy Lt. In the Army=Captain) on the Troop transport USS Darke APA 159. His job was to land assault troops on the shores of enemy islands. So it was allowed, in God's plan, that he would be the officer in charge of several landing crafts that landed Marines and Army on the shores of Iwo Jima. It was on the second or third day of landing troops, 20 February, 1945. It was said by someone describing Iwo Jima, that by the second day you could smell death 2 miles out to sea. That was the day Lt. J.R. (Rip) Hughes, but for the grace of God, was almost killed. He was wounded protecting the men he was landing.

20 February, 1945 A.D. As Boat Group Commander, the Japanese shelled the lead landing craft (1st Boat) of Lt. Hughes, as men were disembarking on the shores of Iwo Jima. One of the shells landed in the landing craft, but did not explode. Hughes could have 'abandoned ship' at that point, it would have been proper procedure. But Lt. Hughes rushed to the shell and picked it up and threw it over the side. As he turned his back, away from the falling shell, the shell EXPLODED! Shrapnel pierced and became embedded in his back and his legs. His body was hurled through the air diagonally across the craft. He crashed into the other side! He was bleeding from several wounds. He had a brain concussion. His body hurt all over. But, he was the only man wounded on his landing craft in that particular incident, and from that particular shelling.

Hughes was taken by his crew, back to his ship (the USS DARKE) where he was worked on by the doctors and medics on his ship (most likely included Lt. Commander Gilbert and Lt. Hollander). Those doctors, dentists and medics recommended that he be shipped home to the USA.

Hughes was told that the next day he would be transferred to a hospital ship. That was the first stop to go to Hawaii and then the mainland of the United States. He called his Chief Petty Officer and another high ranking seaman (one was called Ross, one was called Pappy Snyder). He told them he was not ready to check out of the war. So he ordered them to get him into his "boat." These and others got him to the side and lowered him down into his landing craft on the day he was to (later) be transferred to the hospital ship. He was, of course, the Boat Group Commander again.

Then as he took in another wave of landing craft, he saluted his executive officer from his craft. IT was reported that his executive officer's eyes got very big as he recognized Hughes. The Exec is said to have shaken his head and then looked away. as the smiling Hughes turned toward the shores of Iwo Jima. Lt. James Russell (1st Boat) Hughes never got on the hospital ship. He stayed with the USS DARKE.

On 20 February 1945. Hughes escaped death, he was one of thousands wounded and thousands of others did die, landing, assaulting or getting Japanese out of their below ground rock defenses, that you and I might have freedom, liberty and be able to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience. Men died getting the Japanese out of their below ground rock cave defenses, where they had been ordered to fight to the last man and then die. No one was to survive.

After the battle of Iwo Jima, Hughes did go to some rest in some islands of the Philippines He was able to recover enough to serve next in the bloodiest battle of the Pacific, where he again landed assault troops on the invasion of Okinawa. Again Hughes was Boat Group Commander in charge of several landing crafts of assault troops.

Although it is not well known, there were more casualties on Okinawa, than on Iwo Jima. There were more naval casualties on both Iwo Jima and even more on Okinawa, than had been killed and wounded on the almost defenseless Pearl Harbor sneak attack on December 7th, 1941 ('a day that will live in infamy').

After World War 2 Hughes went back to his profession and again served as Prosecuting Attorney then became an Elector of the Electoral College, a Probate Judge and then resigned to be an Episcopal Priest. (He was one of those Episcopal priest who was born again!) He was the father of five. (*His oldest son John Robert Hughes was shot down off the Carrier Essex in the Cuban Missile crisis of 1962*)

Hughes almost died to make men (including you and I) free. His son died for you, also. We thank God for using these men.

Have a blessed day and remember freedom is not free . . .

(Here is a link to a site that has 39 images from the USS Darke. Included in them is an actual photo of a landing craft filled with men. http://www.rpadden.com/159/159.htm )

Fred,

I believe I have a picture of your father with his officers before they embarked for Iwo Jima. My father was one of his platoon commanders - "A", 1Bn 21st Marines.

Scott Graham

Being a viet-nam vet, the battle of Iwo Jima was an event that I will always remember cherish for the rest of my life.

Great website. Thanks for the info. Interesting battle. 7.5 miles = 100,000 soldiers. Hell of alot.

And I of course forgot to include my email- it's socalswar@gmail.com
Thanks again!

Hello John my Dad was a Marine and in the battle of Iwo Jima. My dad was irish and at Ellis Island the name was changed from Kavanaugh to Kavanah. My dad was from Newburgh, N.Y. He escorted the "wind talkers" Navaho Indians. Does your dad have any pictures or does he remember my Dad.

I am so greatful that all those people fought for your freedom and country and that there is still people fighting for our country today such as my uncle Clay Sigler and every body else.
greatful for those that died in our honor to help save us and our country. I just hope that everything ends soon. War to me I think is just plain idiocidy and stupid. If there was no hatred in the world then there would be no war and then the world would probably be over populated but I would rather like that then people killing and people dieing for some one elses stupidness.
Only if there is no war. I wonder.........

Looking for anyone from Battery K, 4th Battalion, 12 Regiment, 3rd Division that might remember my father Harold "Harry" Radcliffe.

Semper Fi

That is a rather sad but VERY brave story my great grandpa waz in the Navy at that time thankfully he is still alive but he is like 86 so hes dieing off =(

Hello my name Is Kyle Martin Paddock I shall not name my Great Great Grandfather out of respect for my his daughter my Great Grandmothers wishes.

My great great Grand father was a Marine Sniper first class 3rd company if I have the story right. then I would like nothing more then to give you an Idea of the caliber of this man. He saw action not only in Some of the harries fights in WWII but he also served In WWI He was offered promotions many times but each time this is what he would say ( The day I leave this field for a desk job or post at the back is the day you carry me out in on a stretcher. I may only be 19 years old but I was raised to the tales of my Great Great grand fathers war stories My deepest regret in Life other than having been robed the chance to meet this Great man this American heroin person is the Fact that Due to a combination of AD-HD and Server Bi-Polar I cannot follow in his footsteps.

But what stands out most about my Great great grandfather wasn't his military legacy. No it was how he chose use it.

to have his surviving friends use it. unlike most war heroes some who were so traumatized by the war as to never even want to here the word. My Great Great Grand father had his friends tell his story. No he made them promise him even as he died, that those that survived the war would tale his war stories not as some everlasting monument to his greatness no he made them promise that they would tell it for what it really is. The terrible price of war not on one side but on all sides. My grand father died providing support and covery fire while the first
(by now you know who I'm talking about) flag, the hero's flag was being raised He took a bullet for a young solider not even 20 years old yet.

Some one asked in a comment above Do you think there still with us? the answer to that question is yes they may not have the same bodies but their Iron Will, their determination to do what must be done, Their willingness to fight to the last man standing and to give their lives to save a Brother in arms shines clearly in The Brave men and women that have steeped into the roles once filled by our loved ones, So the answer once again is yes, yes they are still here, and they are still watching over our country

Before I go i want to pay my respect to my grand father the best way I can think to do online. This is an letter Addressed to my Great Great Grandmother written just three days before he was KIA

And I quote: Though we have lost many a brave lad on this god forsaken strip of land, I cant help but fill with pride when i see A youth of no more than 18 years of age, ready to give his life for the sake of his Nation and for the sake of his loved loved ones back home whom hes surely fighting tooth and nail for. my dearest --------- I feel blessed to fight along side these young men. because if there's only one lesson that I can take away from these brave lads. No these brave men, it is that no matter what life troughs your way you just have to take your beatings and role with the punches and keep moving on. A quote from my Great Great Grandfather Sniper First class Name 3rd company once again name to be with held. out of respect.

God
Bless America
and the Brave Men and Women
who
fight to defend her freedoms
and Idea's

I'm looking for any one that remembers or has any information about Glenn Schwerdtfeger. He was in the 9th Marines. The story in the family is that he died on the the day the first flag was put up, Feb 23, 1945.

new email address for comments on Leonard Eugene Nunley contact
vallen at vallen@magnoliaisd.org

Fred Harbin - great hearing from you! Sorry to learn of your Dads passing. As I wrote, I wondered if he was still with us.

I was just a few feet from him when he was hit on or about 7 March 1945 on Iwo Jima. When they carried him off, I thought he was KIA. I was very happy when I met Lt.Col. Fred Harbin at Quantico in 1951!! I was a Major then on my way to Camp Lejune.
I said something like: "Wow, Colonel isn't it great to be alive?"

I knew your Dad on Iwo for only about 2 days. Please let me know if 7 March was the date. The reason I assumed he had a 1st WIA was because when I first joined Company A in late Feburary 1945 I reported as a replacement to the only remaining officer in the company - Lt. Dunken Scott. That knight the Japs hit us and Scott was KIA and my classmate Lt. Peterson who joined with me was WIA, leaving me as the Company Commander of the 20 or so remaining of the 254 and 7 officers who landed on Iwo Jima.

When they replaced us about 5 days later. I and a great veteran of Guam and Bogainville, Platoon Sergeant Brekke and about 13 enlisted was the remains of Company A. Brekke was just what this new 2nd Lt. needed!! He and The good LORD are responsible for me being alive at age 87.

When your Dad was evacuated, a classmate, 2nd Lt. Dean Murphy became the company CO. Murphy was KIA while visiting my Platoon several days later, and I assumed command for the rest of the battle and return to Guam to train for the planned landing on Japan. Guess who became my side kick and company Gunnery Sergeant-Platoon Sergeant Brekke !! I needed him more than the platoon did.

Well Fred, enough for tonight - its bed time. My email address is:
mrapha07@aol.com --- Home Phone - 850 497 9907 any time from
9 AM to 9 PM except Wednesday. Thats the day my partner and I minister in 2 state prisons. He does the driving!

Looking forward to hearing more from you and talking with you.
Fred, may God Bless you and yours!

Lt.Col. Milton RaphaelUSMC Ret.

my uncle apprtly was good friends with your unlce. email me i have lots of storys to tell

Dear Mr. Mathis:

Robert Seymour was my uncle. If you could email the photo of Uncle Bob with your father, I will pass it along to my Aunt Rita and my cousins.

Sincerely,

Rick Seymour
ricks@csipalmbeach.com

I have recently learned that my father and uncle (Jack and Bob Appenzeller) served together in the Fourth Marine Division in Iwo Jima during this period. Both are now deceased. I would be interested in any advice regarding how to find out more about their service.

My Uncle was a part of the 133rd N.C.B. They were very much a part of the 4th Division during the Assault, then after the island was secure would be utilized as the construction unit. He was Francis J. Craig Co C PL-1, and went in on the 3rd wave of the Assault. I have so much respect for him and all who served on Iwo Jima. We will never understand what they sacrificed. I have so many questions that have gone unanswered. If anyone has photographs about the 133rd or the Cemetery they were buried in could you please share with me. I never met my Uncle but my middle name is his first name. I was born on March 2nd . My mother really missed and loved her brother. It has been a honor to have his name and I would like to find out as much as I can. Every American on that island was a Hero and should never be forgotten.

With Respect
Thomas Francis Engleman

Angela,

My father Rudy Hollingsworth served in the Fourth Marine Division on Iwo Jima. I have a book with a lot of pictures in it I will share with you.

Charles Hollingsworth

My father commanded HQ Company 1st Btn 3rd Marines. He only spoke of it rarely. I was well into my 30s before he said anything other than the movie verson.

My uncle, James G. "Peanut" Caldwell, was with the Marine engineers on Iwo Jima and fought through a couple of other Pacific island campaigns. I have a photograph of him astride a Japanese bicycle that was taken soon after the island was secured. After the war he longed to return to military life and ended up joining the Army because he said that at the time "the Army offered me a much better deal." I'm sure he was referring to rank and pay; otherwise, he would have surely been back with the Marines. He put a total of over 35 years in the military retiring as a Master Sargent or Sargent Major. He was born and reared in Rome GA and died October 19, 1991 in Chipley FL. At the time he landed on Iwo, he was 31 years old and was considered the "old man" of his outfit. If anyone has any information on my uncle I would appreciate hearing.

Hello Ron,

I believe my grandfather, Edward Sulisz, served with GROPAC 11 on Iwo Jima. He was a Petty Officer 1st Class. Please respond to wlois2211@yahoo.com

Thank you, Bill Loiselle

Hello all and Semper Fi!!

I am trying to find out some information about my grandfather, William "Wild Bill" Wirt Connelly. I am having trouble finding with what unit he served and what campaigns he fought. He was born in 1925 and from Alberta, VA and he served as a corpsman with the Marines in at least 3 campaigns during the War. I have his dogtags, battle ribbons and medals and his Pacific Campaign ribbon holds 2 stars, however I have no official records. I know that he landed on Iwo Jima on February 19th and was wounded on February 28th with what I have been told was a sniper's bullet that entered his neck and exited his mouth.

He went on to become a Major League Baseball pitcher and played from 1945-1958. He died on Thanksgiving Day in 1980, 2 1/2 years before I was born.

Any help from anybody that may have known him or who could point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!!

-Robert

Looking for information on a USM William James McEwan KIA March 3rd, 1945 he was in the 5th Division not the 3rd. He was also in the 31st Replacement Draft.
Family wanting to try and find out how he died and possible the are he was in.

E-mail "SupercubAK@aol.com"

My grandpa (who raised me), Weldon Smith, was in the 4th Marine Division and was hit with shrapnel in the chest at the base of Mt. Surabaci. The shrapnel remained inside his chest for the rest of his life because it was too close to his heart to remove. I'm so grateful he survived that day so was able to actually know him. His brother, Chester Smith, (also a Marine) was killed on Okinawa, so I never had the opportunity to meet him. My grandpa died in 2005 at the age of 88 years. He was a gentle and kind man who very very rarely spoke about his war experiences. He survived 4 island assualts including Tinian and Siapan before Iwo Jima. The fortunate thing for him is that he was hit the first day of the Iwo Jima battle (Feb. 19, 1945) and did not have to suffer the horror on that island that other survivors did. Although I know he saw many horrible things during previous battles and on Iwo Jima. Thanks to all who served on the Pacific front.

Thanks so much for your offer. Please send your Iwo Jima
pictures to my email, if you have them on computer. You may also
send to me at: P.O.Box 3275 Pensacola, Florida 32516.

65 years ago,I was a young 21 year old US Marine 2nd.Lieutenant
on Iwo Jima. Company A 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd
Marine Division had lost all but one of its 7 officers including
the CO, Captain Fred Harbin (WIA).

2nd Lt. Richard Peterson (a classmate from Special OCS 1944)
and I were ordered to join Company A fron the beach on or about
28 Feb. We reported to 1st Lt. Duncan Scott. That night, the Japs came out of their holes and attacked. Scott was KIA and Peterson was WIA.

I now took over what was left of Company A. Thank God, there was Platoon Sergeant Brekke, the only remaining NCO. Brekke was now in his 3rd major Pacific Battle. His wisdom and battle experience was invaluable to me for the rest of the battle of Iwo Jima. He
and I and about 13 other Marines was left of Company A. when the company was relieved and brought back to the beach to recover and reorganize with replacements.

On or about March 7 we moved into the attack with about 175 Marines including Captain Harbin (later receiving a 2nd WIA)
2nd Lt. Dean Murphy (Special SOCS 1944). After Murphy was KIA,
I again took command of Company A. for the rest of the battle,
return to Guam and preperation for landing in Japan.

Well, there is much more to tell some other time.
Thanks again for the pictures - looking forward to receiving them. May God Bless you and yours.
Milton Raphael

According to my own exploration, thousands of persons all over the world get the home loans from well known banks. Thence, there is good possibilities to receive a short term loan in any country.

My grandfather Joseph Mathis fought on Iwo with the 4th Marine Div, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, G company. I am looking for anyone who has any information about his company or photos. Thanks. I also have photos of my grandfather with Don Thatcher from the 5th Marine Div and also Robert Seymour 3rd Mar div, 9th Marines for anyone seeking information on these Marines. Thanks

My Father Leon C. Thompson enlisted and fought with the 5th Marine division on Iwo Jima.He never spoke of what happened there but as a young child I remember him waking with nightmares that my mother would explain away as "the war".He came home with a metal plate in his head and had to go for intensive therapy just to regain his speach.This,for a man who had graduated with honors from college just before the war.After his recovery he met my mother and together they raised 9 children.Not bad for someone classified as almost completely disabled upon his discharge.He never complained about anything.We never knew what he had gone through but when we would ask him about his metals (Silver Star/Purple Heart with a cluster)hiding in the bottom of his clothes draw he would shrug off the question and respond that those were for the marines that did not make it home.As children we had no idea what he was saying.They say many of the survivors of Iwo were haunted by guilt their whole lives because they made it home and so many that gave so much more did not.My Dad was one of those survivors.To my Dad and to all the men who have served,are currently serving and will serve in the future,God bless all of you on this great American Day of Recognition and Appreciation of service to our country we call Memorial Day.

I don't know what branch of the government you previouly contacted, but the following link should be helpful. Fill out the Standard Form SF-80 to the best of your ability and mail it in. It really helps if you have the service number of the Marine. I have located several files, they cost about $50.00 to reproduce. some files have at least 75 pages.

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/

I am Australian and only recently watched 'flags of our fathers', hence why i am here. there is a strong military history in our family from all wars.
war seems so devastating on many levels and something many of us are very unfamiliar with these days.
to anyone who served no matter what side they were on, to those that lost their lives and the others that live on with these horrors close to their chest. There is no sense or meaning you can pinpoint but you were needed and without hesitation you came and freely offered your lives.
this is a representation of bravery none of us now could comprehend, but as best we can we remain in awe and reverance of your loss and courage.
I salute each and every one of you, with a tear in my eye i can never wipe away.

My grandfather stood tall in Hell better known as Iwo Jima...Semper Fi...Oooh rahh!!

there were 2 D-DAYS because there were two wars

God Bless all who fought there. Semper Fi!!!!!!

"D-Day" is commonly thought to refer specifically to the June 6 Normandy landings. In fact, the term is frequently used by the military to generally refer to the initial day of an operation. So, it is entirely accurate to refer to 2-19-45 as d-day for Iwo.

Bless those who died in the filth and destruction of Iwo in the defense of our country and all freedom loving people. Thank you to those who survived the horror.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Iwo Jima (Iwo To) and took some pictures of the landscape as it is now. A couple photos closely resemble some of the originals from the battle. Please respond with your email and I'll be happy to send them to you for projects or whatever purpose.

You will never be forgotten. MT JOE

I am doing a project on Iwo Jima for a school project and was wondering if anyone could give me a few stories.. It would be really appreciated..

To those of you seeking information on loved ones who served or died on Iwo, you need to do a little homework.

The various Marine divisions landed on specific landing beaches. The various Regiments, such as the 24th Marines, the 28th Marines, as opposed to the 6th Marine Division were assigned objectives. So if you know that the person of interest was in a specific area, that will help you narrow things down a little.

The 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions landed, consisting of three regimental combat teams of three infantry and one artillery regiments in each division along with attached tank, pioneer, engineer, service, motor transport and medical battalions.

The 3rd, 9th 21st and 12th (artillery) Marines made up the 3rd Marine Division.
The 4th Marine Division consited of the 23rd, 24th and 25th Marine and 14th (artillery). There were 8 attached battalions two were armored Tractor battalions.

The 5th Marine Division consisted of the 26th, 27th, and 28th, and 13th(artillery) along with 9 attached battalions including two amphibious tractor battalions.

The 5th Marine Division was assigned the landing zone ajacent to Suribachi. The 28th Marines captured the volcano.

By doing a bit of book work, you should be able, to determine a ot about any individual in question. If you know the Division, you can determine approximatiely where they were, if you know more unit information about them, you should be able to determine to a larger degree of certainty where they landed, where their unit moved and so on. Each unit was assigned a zone of operation seperated by distinct lines of responsibility and objectives.

If you are very serious, you can go or request in writing for a fee, the unit after action reports that were submitted on a supposed daily basis. The Marines after all are a very efficient bureacracy.
Contact the US Marine Historical Division:

http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/

Here is a link to an online monograph with lots of unit information near the end. Other official histories can be purchased through Amazon.com that contain even more detailed unit history. Once you know the mans unit you can also search on line for those unit historical associations

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-M-IwoJima/index.html

My uncle, Anthony Manago (from Brooklyn, NY), was killed on Iwo Jima on March 8, 1945 (age 23). He was a member of the 21st Marines, 3rd Division. It is said that he was killed by mortar fire while carrying ammunition (grenades) up to the boys on the front lines.

This was before I was born, so I never knew him. As a youngster I clearly remember his picture in uniform hanging in my parents' bedroom. I have come to own several of his letters, his medals, unit patches, his burial flag and uniform hat. I am very proud of him and all our service men and women who have fought for the FREEDOM we enjoy today. God bless them.

My dad, Chirstopher Rezendes fought in the Gulf War as a FO (forward observer) and a Harrier Pilot. He also participated in the assault on Beruit, Lebanon. I express all my gratitude of every U.S. Marine that has ever fought in any cnflict or war.
SEMPER FI!

I had an uncle named George Zarcufsky "sarge" who was a marine who fought on Iwo Jima and actually seen the flag raised. He was from a little coal miner's town in Shenandoah, PA. I would like to know if there are any marines still alive who either knew what unit he was in or knew him at all. Would appreciate any feedback.

My best friend gave me a knife passed onto him by his Father, who was wounded on Iwo and has since passed. The knife reportedly was from a soldier killed in the battle, and has the name "J R Booth U.S.M.C." inscribed on the blade. I'd love to find the family of the owner and return that to them.

Chris,

My dad was a 4th Division Marine who also landed on the first wave, Beach Blue 1. I don't know if he knew your wife's great grandpa, but email me and I'll give you his email address. He's 87 now and not as "sharp" as he used to be, but he may remember him if he knew him.
You say you're now a Marine.....thanks for your service to our country.

My Dad, Harold Lesser fought in WW II in the South Pacific in the 3rd Marine Division. He is still with us and he is 90...sharp as a tack. Never talked about the war until about ten years ago. I am proud of him. He lived a life with post traumatic stress disoder after the war. Growing no one had a name for it...they just said he was a Marine in WWII. That was all that had to be said.
He was shot in the head with many rounds that hit his helmet and rendered him unconscious. He had blood coming from his ears, nose and mouth. The military never gave him a purple heart...they say no one could witness to it. He never talked about it.
Sometimes he tells us funny stories (the only ones he tells. I know he tries to remember the light hearted times to keep from tearing up. Sempri Fi

My dad was an airman in the Pacific during WWII. I remember talking to him about the atomic bombing of Japan. He said it was Iwo Jima that finalized that decision. It was from that point, for everyone out there, any lingering thought that "I might die in this war" turned into "I WILL die in this war". That was the stark reality of an invasion of Japan. The bombs were like a reprieve from a death sentence.

By the way, by all accounts he was, prior to the war, a good-natured, easy-going, humorous kind of guy. Growing up I only knew him as demanding, anxious and having a hair-trigger temper. He could never get close to us and had fleeting friendships. Later in life he said, "I lost friends by the plane load".

My cousin, PFC Richard Junior Hines was killed on Iwo Jima on March 13, 1945. He was in B Company, 1st of the 27th. If anyone remembers him, please contact me. I am looking for any information from his buddies.

Jim Hines
jhines6863@aol.com

Does anyone know of Jim "Red" Ross, serevd as a grunt on Iwo.
Survived Iwo, raised a family in Joliet, IL. He was my Uncle, but I didn't know that he serevd on Iwo until after he passed away.

I read your story and cried because yy father was a Marine and only 19 when he went to Iwo Jima. He survived the war but not the memories. Always a nondrinker, he returned addicted to alcohol and committed suicide at the age of 36, 2 days after my second birthday. I never knew him, but I am so proud of him.

My dad, Joe Caldwell, also was a corporal in the Marines and was 19 when he landed on Iwo Jima. He left high school before graduation to serve. The only time he spoke of the war was when he reunioned with his Marine buddies. It was as if (and rightly so) that they only could understand and that they only had the right to discuss it. He would be brought to tears at each yearly reunion. His last reunion he had suffered a stroke and we had to take him in a wheelchair, but he was not going to miss it. He was proud that a son and a grandson were also able to serve in the Marines

My dad was in the Navy and fought on Iwo. He was just an 18 year old at the time and was a landing craft operator. He ended up on the island after boat number three was blown up under him and he was "welcomed" in to the Marines by a rather large, and persuasive Sargent who handed him a BAR and put him to work! My dad even stayed several months later for occupation and even made to the Japanese homeland during that time. I have his old leather photo album and I prize it greatly. He's gone now, like so many other veterans, but his memory remains and I cherish it too. I thanked him for his service to our country and he was proud when I joined up too (USAF, 1975-1978). Blessings on all who served then and who serve today.

yeah i can watch that movie every now and then, it is a very good movie

I feel honored that I can even leave a message on this site. Every year in February I think of those boys on Iwo. What an incredible story. You can go on the web on "Google Earth" and look up Iwo Jima and get a daily recap of each Marine Unit's progress on Iwo the day of the attack and there on until the battle was ended. The Marines gained inches and feet and hardly yards each day. The recount tells of our men killed and wounded for every inch of that Island. Their names and their units and their exact locations on the Island each day and their progress. It tells of how many Japanese they killed along the way.

Between the KIA and the wounded the Japanese inflicted more casualties on us than the total number of men thay had on the Island. Incredible!

Those boys fought for our freedom and they believed in our Constitution and our God and Our Country.

Our Government is moving away from those core values!

As we honor those men and the effort our Military boys made during that campaign let us not forget why we have the freedoms we have. God Bless them! God Bless this Beautiful Country that we have a right to live in as Free Americans and let's embrace the key values our forefathers had the insight to write into law to protect us from Tyrany.

Our grass root values are in seriousl jeoprady right now and we need to act as the people and for the people to prevent the Tyrany that is taking place in our country right now with big governement. We should all join the "Tea Party Movement" and gain control over our rights once again.

I know this is a political statement and it may not have a place with honoring those boys in Iwo but this battle we're in right now with our government is just as important as what those boys fought for on Iwo.

Hate to tell you-Lee Marvin was NEVER on IWO. He was wounded on SAIPAN before IWO. Further more, "Captain Kangaroo" wasn't there either & never saw action, contrary to stories he won the Navy Cross & fought with Marvin on IWO.

I was 6 years old at that time when the US Marines bravely fought the battle at Iwo Jima. Had they failed, it would be a disaster for it would take months more for Gen Mc'Arthur's "I shall return" to realize and probably I am not alive these days because the Japanese military started to implement the "juez de Cuchillo" in Mindanao. I am forever greatful to the American people for their support to their men in uniform especially the US Marines. I can only say that I admire the Japanese soldiers for their love of their mother land, Japan as I love my country very much as well, the Philippines.

Rosauro Feliciano
Ex-Commissioned Officer, Philippine Marine Corp
(Marines of the Pacific)

I just today learned about the Japanese attack just after dawn on March 26, 1945, where they attacked sleeping Americans and slaughtered them.

Can anyone direct me to a link that has specifics of that final battle?

I found one about the LT who won the MOH that day, but that was all I could find.

Also - about the idiots who post negative comments about our servicemen and the battle of Iwo Jima... ignore them. They're not worth comment in the first place and probably just snotty nosed kids with no sense of history.

One final comment. You will never read or hear of me saying anything good about our enemies. The only problem with us dropping nukes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is that we didn't drop a third or fourth or 20th nuke.

Of course, the main reason we only dropped two was because that was all we had.

I was 18 at the assault on Iwo Jima. There are still five of us in my Marine Corps League Detachment. 3 of us still have lunch every Tuesday. We very rarely discuss the events of the battle - just fortunate to have survived.
It is a memory that haunts me every day
even now as I type this memory I reallize how blessed ZI have been to have survived another 65 years-with family,wife, children,grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of dear friends.
I often wonder about those who sacrificed their lkive in that great battle, both Marines and Japanese, had they survived what would they have contributed to society-perhaps a cure forcancerand many other diseases, a man of peace that would be able to have us love one another???
In my Company-F-2-25 of 250 Marines - I believe their were24 survivors of the battle- the balance wounded or KIA- Greater love hath no man than this that they lay down their live for their friends. A thousand shall fall at thy side and 10000 at thy right hand but it shall not come nigh thee(pretty close tho) Peace - God bless America and the USMC- Semper Fi

im doing a project 2 im really interested in it

Jake, You would be among the luckiest, the proudest, the smartest! Ronald Reagan said "Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." God bless our US Marines! God bless America! Semper fi!

this really helps with my social studies paper on the battle of Iwo Jima (: thank you

God bless all the soldiers who died in the war. My grandfather, John Bradley Minnick (what a coincidence to the famous John Bradley) fought in this battle and recieved a purple heart when a piece of shrapnel stripped him of his left hand. He's still alive and well (95 now, I believe), and now has a published book of his diary during the war. RIP to all who were lost, and thank God for our military :)

hi any one know Lt Aime john hourcade he was in the 3rd divsion 9th battalion 28 replacements my father past march 9 2007 just trying find out thank you jeff hourcade

Im glad there are young people still interested in the greatest battle of WW II. Im thankful there are still young people that want to be Marines.
Jake Fenn and Jake Mattson, dont worry about their spelling, its easyer to teach a monkey to spell than to make a Marine.

I am so proud of all the men that fought on Iwo Jima. I knew a man who was on that Island. He said there wasn't a day that went by where he didn't think about the battle on Iwo Jima. It was probably the worst the U.S. Marines had ever been into, and they have been in alot of bloody battles throughout the history of the Corp. I will never forget what they did for out FREEDOM! God Bless America!

This is one the most famous in American history. It is incredible how many human beings could be terminated in such a short period of time. The rise of the American Flag was my favorite stage in this mission. This date will always be remembered in American History. R.I.P. To all the lives that were lost during WWII.

Hi Tim

this helped me so much military is awsome

I can still recall the storys my Bro told me.I know he is in Heaven as he and his comrades went thu hell on that Island

Wow this is a lot of useful information! very helpful for my term paper. RIP all our lost soldiers

i love the movie flags of our fathers

This is cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!