It took 6 weeks to secure the island. Crazy. Eastwood did a good job on those 2 flicks.
Amazing how many Marines signed up based on the ‘snappy blue uniform’, that only the recruiters wore. It truly was a more innocent time, which is a little unfortunate.
That man was a true hero. What a horrible war. The leftist liberals here simply don’t realize what they are about to start.
I don’t know if this find gentlemen was part of the 5th. My uncle was, and the association is still active:
https://5thmarinedivision.org/
here is their latest news letter: The chaplain story is interesting.
https://5thmarinedivision.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spearhead-Newsletter-July-2024.pdf
https://www.usmcofficer.com/commandants-reading-list
In 1989, General Al Gray promulgated the first Commandant’ s Reading List and challenged Marines of every rank to re-dedicate themselves to the study of their profession. Our twenty-ninth Commandant clearly understood that the development and broadening of the mind is a critical aspect of the true warrior ‘s preparation for battle. General Gray viewed reading as a means of preparing for the future, and combat in particular. He ensured that his Marines knew he considered mental preparation as important as physical conditioning or even MOS training.
https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Spearhead-World-History-5th-Marine-Division/17179818332/bd
The above is the official history published in 1950. I have a copy from my uncle who was injured on Iwo Jima.
The 5th also published 3 short 40 page publications full of pictures and comments like a high school year book. These were given to the marines and many sent home to family.
Volume I was Bootcamp
Volume II was Iwo Jima
Volume III was Occupation.
I have copies of these also, sent them to the 5th association for publication but don’t know what happened to them.
In many ways the marines were glory hounds, but it aint braggin’ if you did it.
If anyone would like pdf of the small publications, pm me with your address.
Thank you for posting.
******
And there's your sign things aren't going well...
In August 1944 the island had been shelled and bombed so much that the Japanese commander stated that Iwo Jima could have been taken by a platoon of US Marines in one day. For the next six months Japan reinforced the island. They dug 17 miles of tunnels that weren’t there in August.