"The valor and sacrifice of the Marines and Sailors who fought on Iwo Jima is, today and forever, the standard by which we judge what we are and what we might become."
Just watched The Pacific not too long ago.
I have an incredible amount of respect for anyone who served there. The immortal flag being raised happened on the 3rd day of fighting when fighting would go on for almost 35 more days. 3 of the 6 men seen raising the flag on Iwo Jim died in subsequent fighting on that island.
My late father-in-law served with the 4th. Marine Division and was wounded on Iwo Jima. It got him the hell out of there and back home.
I haven’t been to the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, but I visited its predecessor, a tiny two story building at the Washington Navy Yard. Among other things, that building contained both flags raised on Suribachi.
Have to add in my late father-in-law’s unit, the Army’s 75th JASCO (Joint Assault Signal Company) attached to the Marines. Originally a smaller company, they became a “composite” unit of at least 660 Army men - communications. Don’t know how many actually landed on Iwo but their average casualty rate was over 60%.
Jim told me of seeing the flag hoisted at Mt. Surabachi from his base camp below (possibly recovering from his 3rd wound).
They were all brave men.
Just for some factoids:
John Batchelor’s father fly over Iwo
So did John O’Neill (Swift Boat Veterans leader)father.
I believe one of Mark Levin’s direct relatives also fought there (at least at Guadalcanal).
My late friend Gen. Bruce Jacobs (USA), was an Army transport commander at Iwo.
Everyone was there. It was an American victory, at a very high cost, but is saved the lives of thousands of American airmen during the rest of the Pacific war.
Never forget them!