Posted on 07/14/2004 11:09:56 AM PDT by gunnyg
An Open Letter To Clint Eastwood
http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=135069&messageid=1089818918 I see that you are to be involved in yet another film/TV account regarding the raising of our flag on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.
Since it is you involved this time, I think it's worth a shot to attempt to bring the following to your attention, hoping that the story of Marine Ray Jacobs might finally be told to the American people.
Jacobs is one of the remaining survivors, along with Chuck Lindberg, of Lt. Schrier's 40-man combat patrol up Suribachi that day to raise our colors over the Japanese homeland. I am referring to the first (so-called) flag raising and not the subsequent raising of a replacement flag that was later photographed on motion-picture film, etc., to soon become famous as the Iwo Jima flag raising. The actual flag raising was photographed by Marine S/Sgt Lou Lowery, prior to the later version well known to all.
Jacobs' eyewitness account, and photos, may be viewed here...
http://carol_fus.tripod.com/marines_hero_ray_jacobs.html
Ray Jacobs may be reached at the following E-Mail address...
ray1jacobs@msn.com
Thank you for your kind attention.
Semper Fidelis
Dick Gaines
Note: Viewers please post/forward all hands.
PING-A-LING!
FYI
If you have a ping list, will you put me on it? Thanks. Gunny on the History Channel is my favorite program. Luv the guy. He brings joy to my heart. Heh.
When John Bradley died in the 1990s, his family found some of his military items in a box in a closet at his home. One of the items in the box was the Navy Cross, the service's second-highest award for valor after the Congressional Medal of Honor. Bradley won the award on Iwo Jima. With complete disregard for his personal safety, John Bradley placed his body between a wounded Marine and Japanese fire, hanging an IV bottle from a rifle sticking out of the soil by its bayonet. During his lifetime, Mr. Bradley refused all requests for interviews, and never talked about his exploits on Iwo Jima. His family didn't learn about the Navy Cross until after his death.
If you haven't read "Flags of Our Fathers," I highly recommend it. A remarkable book about a truly remarkable band of brothers. If Clint Eastwood stays faithful to the book, the film will be among his finest best, including "Unforgiven." And, BTW, I wouldn't worry too much about Sean Penn or Tim Robbins being cast in the film--the flag raisers had an average age of 20-21; Penn and Robbins are way too old for the cast.
ping
Bump. Thanks for the ping
I recently read "Flyboys", also by James Bradley. An account of WWII POW pilots, but with a great deal of historical background. Highly recommended.
Thank you. : )
The sad thing about all this is that the original flag-raisers - the ones who actually had some real trouble going up Suribachi - were basically shoved aside and ignored after returning home. They were given "the cheap seats" (as I understand it) at the unveiling of the Iwo Jima Memorial, while the Rosenthal flag-raisers were treated like celebrities.
I believe Bradley and Hayes never got over feeling bad about the disparity with which different vets were treated, and about having seen young men like posthumous Medal of Honor recipient Don Ruhl die there - though nothing that happened was their fault.
I'm looking forward to the film. I really, really hope Gunny's request is honored.
I am aware of the book you mention--as far as THE flag raising goes, I recommend only three other books on the flag raising, i.e., the one by Marling,; another by Albee; and a third by Thomey.
Just an attempt here to provide a heads up for Eastwood, should this post ever find its way to his eyes.
Semper Fidelis
Dick Gaines
Huh?
WTH is a ping list?
You're welcome. I can't wait to see the film either, if it really is based on "Flags of our Fathers"... :0)
Geez, I hope you're just acting in character. If not, belay that and I'll do the fifty.
The list of names is started by you at the request of people like me who ask to be added to the list.
Not a Marine, but enjoy the stories. If you start a list, put me on it. Thanks.
I have the "drop" part down pat. :-)
Bradley says for years he was semi-estranged from his father. His attitude in "Flyboys" helps explain to me why.
No, not kidding, Eastbound--thank you.
Dick Gaines
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