Iwo Jima veterans!!

Frogman · August 21, 2010, 06:39:12 PM

I was always interested in what my Dad did in the war. He would never talk much about his experiences. I knew he served in the US Marines on Iwo Jima in WWII. He had some books about the battle that he brought back with him.

He also had a Japanes samarai sword and a bayonet . . .

I just about wore those books out looking at them as a kid. Whenever I asked him about it, he was very reluctant to discuss it. As the years passed I was always interested in military history especially WWII and specifically the battle for Iwo Jima in which my father participated. Unfortunatly my Dad passed away in 1970. I have have purchased and read every book I can find about the battle as well as other WWII battles.

Recently my Uncle renewed my interest in my Dad's service by enlisting my help in getting some bricks put at the Veteran's Memorial at our local City Park. We also got bricks for several of my uncles who also served in WWII. Here is a photo of the Veterans Memorial and my Dad's brick . . .

A year or so ago I located a new book about the unit my Dad served in on Iwo. I called the author and talked to him for nearly an hour on the phone. He did not know my Dad. He served in C Company and my Dad served in B Company.

In the process of ordering the brick I went to the Veterans Museum here in Wood County. While there I found another book about Iwo Jima written by a local veteran of the battle. The museum curator informed me that this veteran frequently came into the museum as they had his uniform and several other items of his on display. I left my phone number for him to contact me. Here are the two books . . .

In the meantime my Mom let me have a box of letters that my Dad had written to her while he was in the service during the war. She had kept all his letters as well as lots of other stuff from that time.

Here is an old photograph from a newpaper articla about my Dad and my uncle. That's my Dad on the right.

And some photographs Mom had of Dad in his uniform

It wasn't long before Gerald called me. The museum had given him my phone number. We have since met for lunch four times. He is a really great guy and has told me a lot about what it was like to be on that island. I also visited with my Dad's sister, my aunt. She remembered that Dad had gone into the Marines with another local guy . She remembered his name. I found his name in the phone book and called him. Yes, he remembered my Dad. They had traveled to San Diego together with my Dad and a few other guys from our town. He agreed to meet me for lunch. Marshall was only on Iwo for 19 hours. He was hit by shrapnell from a Japanese knee mortar on the second day and evacuated to a hospital ship off shore and sent back to the states.

Last week I was able to get these two Iwo Jima veterans together for lunch. They talked about the battle and the old days for two hours. I just set back and listened to the tales these two guys had to tell. It was great and made me feel like I had made a small connection back through time with my Dad!

That's me on the left, then Gerald who is now 88, and Marshall on the right who is now 85 and still mows his own grass!!

I am now trying to locate a veteran who was in my Dad's unit on Iwo. The 60 mmm mortar platoon, B Company, First Batallion, 28th Marines of the 5th Marine Division. I have found a web site online that has lots of information. I have also sent for my Dad's service records which are kept in St. Louis MO.

At one of our lunches we had at least two guys who overheard our conversation and came up to thank these guys for their service. I thank them everytime we get together.

Thanks for letting me share this with you guys!!

Jim

FOsteology · August 21, 2010, 07:01:50 PM

Quote from: Frogman on August 21, 2010, 06:39:12 PMThanks for letting me share this with you guys!!

No, Thank YOU for sharing with us.

HaMeR · August 21, 2010, 11:10:06 PM

Great post Jim & Thank You. Thanks to Gerald & Marshall as well. There service is greatly appreciated by millions of people around the World including myself.

KySongDog · August 21, 2010, 11:45:57 PM

Thank God for guys like your dad, Frogman. Great pics and story.

nastygunz · August 22, 2010, 04:33:54 AM

Great story and pics....as a kid I used to hear the Johnny Cash song about Ira Hayes:

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/irahayes.htm

HuntnCarve · August 22, 2010, 05:48:23 AM

Thanks Jim, for a great post. I hope you find all the answers you are searching for. You can be very proud of your father for sure.

Dave

linemansteve · August 22, 2010, 06:21:11 AM

Great post Jim, very interesting, its sad we losing that history with the passing of time. My father in law was in the Navy in WW2 and had a couple of ships sunk from under him. He also never really said much about it. Thanks Steve

coyote101 · August 22, 2010, 07:42:41 AM

Quote from: Semp on August 21, 2010, 11:45:57 PM
Thank God for guys like your dad, Frogman. Great pics and story.

Well said. Thanks Jim.

Pat

Carolina Coyote · August 22, 2010, 07:46:20 AM

Thanks for the story Jim, A good reminder of what our Military has done for all of us. cc

FinsnFur · August 22, 2010, 08:20:50 AM

I envy your persistence and enthusiasm, thats awesome

I can only imagine the interesting things your uncovering.

Thanks Harry, and may he rest in peace.

Hawks Feather · August 22, 2010, 10:43:09 AM

I am glad to see that you are finding out more about your Dad's service and the service of others who were there. In time all of them will be gone. My Dad served in Europe and was at the battle of the Bulge. Like your Dad I have a few items he brought back, but he never really talked much about what happened there.

Jerry

iahntr · August 22, 2010, 11:22:17 AM

A Thank You to them

and Thanks for sharin it with us.

Jeb · August 22, 2010, 12:11:02 PM

Thanks for sharing !

JohnP · August 22, 2010, 02:54:34 PM

The Greatest Generation that ever lived are those that fought in WWII. I don't think that most people realize what they done for us. My dad was in WWII as well as two of my uncles, all now deceased. One uncle ended up as a POW, another was seriously wounded in Italy and my dad, like Jerrys dad, also fought at the Battle of the Bulge.

Next time you see your two new buddies please give them my heartfelt THANKS.

nastygunz · August 22, 2010, 09:11:38 PM

I was reading this post again because it is so interesting and enjoyable and it struck me that both Honored Vets are standing with their hands and arms in the exact same position,of what we called back in my day "Ready" position...old habits die hard. I am a VFW member and one of the best things I like is going there and listening to some of the old timers talk about their experiences...all vets honor the WW2 vets, because they really were "The Greatest Generation".

nastygunz · August 22, 2010, 09:16:24 PM

Boy Howdy Ill tell you what too, that bayonet and sword are wicked looking..imagine those fanatical japanese officers and grunts charging you at close quarters with those !

Bopeye · August 23, 2010, 03:02:20 AM

Very nice. I never heard my grandpa talk about the war. My dad only heard him mention it once. He was on the USS Lexington aircraft carrier in the Pacific theatre. The Japanese thought they had sunk her several times, but she always made it through. The Japs started calling her the "Grey Ghost". Not sure if Grandpa was part of the group of ships at Iwo Jima, but he was out there somewhere. I only know one thing for sure, he hated a kamikazee with a passion.

Jim, tell those gentleman thank you.