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Me (James Bradley) with the plane of the Marine Corps Commandant.
In the Fall of 1997 I met with General Charles
Krulak, Commandant of he Marine Corps in the Pentagon. I briefed him on
the progress of my book about the six Flag Raisers. He offered to fly my
mother (widow of Flag Raiser John Bradley) and me to Iwo Jima.
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My Mother, Betty Bradley, at the controls of the Commandant's plane.
On April 14, 1998 we met the Commandant in Okinawa and flew through
the driving rain to Iwo Jima. |
Photo ©1995 courtesy of J.A.
Hitchcock
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Suddenly the pilot shouted, "Look!" We rushed to the cockpit and saw heavy
rain clouds in front of us. Then the clouds parted and Mt. Suribachi came
into view bathed in a ray of sunshine. I wouldn't have believed it if I
hadn't seen it myself.
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Commandant Krulak and me (James Bradley) in his cabin.
General Krulak is a decorated American hero. |
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A bird's eye view of Mt. Suribachi's crater.
Our plane is south of Iwo Jima over the water. Mt. Suribachi is at the
southern tip and Iwo Jima spreads out, top of photo. Notice the landing
beach, upper right hand corner. The flags were raised approximately where
you see the ocean intersect with the rim in the upper right hand corner. |
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Mt. Suribachi at the south end of Iwo Jima.
The US had to conquer Iwo Jima to insure the safety of Army Air Force planes
flying from Tinian to bomb Japan. |
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Typical Japanese reinforced pillbox housing a machine gunner with a clear
view of the beach.
The Japanese soldier in this pillbox had orders to kill 10 Americans before
he died. But he was a trapped killer, with nowhere to run. He fired on
Americans knowing he would soon die. |
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Landing beach with Mt. Suribachi in the background.
One third of all the Marines who died in WWII died on Iwo Jima. It is the
Marine's worst battle. |
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The wife and sons of Flag Raiser John Bradley: James, Mark,
Betty, Joseph and Steve.
Family members Kate, Barbara, Patrick and Tom did not make the trip. |
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This marker atop Mt. Suribachi marks the spot
where the second flag was raised.
"I just jumped in to lend them a hand," Flag
Raiser John Bradley said in his only interview.
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A Plaque made of Wisconsin Ruby Red Granite. (We Bradleys are Cheeseheads.)
The inscription reads: To Flag Raiser John Bradley. 2-23-45. From his family. |
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Betty, Steve, James, Joseph and Mark Bradley with plaque for Flag Raiser
John Bradley.
John Bradley only spoke once to wife Betty about Iwo Jima. On their first
date. Then never again for 47 years of marriage. |
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US Memorial atop Mt. Suribachi.
More medals for heroism were awarded for action on Iwo Jima than any battle
in the history of the US. |
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Betty Bradley and Commandant Krulak in an emotional hug good-bye.
General Krulak is a wonderful man and great Marine. |
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