At 81, Japanese vet makes rare return to Iwo Jima

Associated Press ^ | September 21, 2008 | JOSEPH COLEMAN

[Berlin_Freeper]

IWO JIMA, Japan — The tunnels of Iwo Jima snake deep beneath the volcanic rock and soil, their entrances camouflaged by a dense tangle of vines and tall grasses.

In their stifling heat, Tsuruji Akikusa suffered months of hunger and thirst. The bodies of dead comrades lay around him. His closest buddy blew himself up with a grenade rather than surrender.

Finally, Akikusa was the only one left alive in his cave.

[Parley Baer]

Interesting story along with the WW2 bomb that recently exploded in Vienna.

[stevem]

Disclaimer: My Dad invaded Iwo Jima as a Pharmacists Mate 1st Class (Corpsman). I believe he carried an M1-Carbine which differentiated Pacific Corpsman from European Medics. He took a spent bullet in the chest which he said stung worse than any bee sting anyone ever encountered. If that bullet had more momentum, I would not be here today.

Ergo, I never much cared what the Japanese thought regarding that war.

That said, I wonder: What took more courage among the Japanese? Was it more courageous to die on Iwo Jima or out live it if you ultimately reported to General Kuribayashi.

[Eternal_Bear]

About a 1000 of the garrison were captured but most of them were Korean laborers and obviously they didn’t return to Japan.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Did Nancy Pelosi tag along?

[BBell]

SunkenCiv, I know you don't normally ping WWII articles but I thought you might like to read this.

[driftdiver]

The article seems to find the actions of the Japanese very heroic but not the actions of the Americans.

[zek157]

I don’t see that?

[driftdiver]

Its more subtle than most AP articles. But perhaps their normal anti americanism is coloring my interpretation of the article.

But after rereading I don’t think so. The japanese are portrayed as brave despite overwhelming odds. Their only real comment about the marines seems to be these innocent defenders killed a bunch.

[KantianBurke]

Sorry but these “soliders” were the Taliban of WWII. They are not deserving of accolades, formidable fighters though they once were.

[river rat]

I never understood the motivation of Vietnam veterans to return to the battlefields of one's youth.
They will forever remain dark places to avoid. Nothing of value remains there, and only reminders of sacrifice that was betrayed by American politicians and more than a few American "citizens".

Many say they felt “closure” or “comfort” in returning to the scene where they lost innocence or a beloved friend...... Some even took their children or spouses on arranged "tours".

That is a journey that never occured or appealed to me or any of the men I served with or my friends.

“Closure” or “comfort” came for most, when we left those hills, valleys and jungles, and visited the families of our lost ones to tell them how their loved ones effected others and how they served with honor and dignity.

Visiting friend's stateside graves in small hometowns, scattered military cemeteries or Arlington is more than soul shaking enough for most..

Visiting the Stone Wall on the Mall is the best place to feel the nearness of the lost..and the magnitude of the loss. They are ALL there....together.

One needn't visit more than this one place to visit and pay respects -- and they await you who haven't yet come..

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BBell. Rare is right — the Japanese survivors amounted to, what, 1 per cent of the original garrison? The Japanese commander gave the order that there were to be no banzai charges, in order to maximize the period of time his troops could inflict injury and death on American forces; and the whole force was dug in and nearly impervious to direct assault. As an Iwo veteran I know said, “he did a good job”.