There were no substandard marines on Iwo Jima - "uncommon valor was a common viture". In Feb 45 that place was the closest thing to hell this world has ever seen and I respect the h*ll out of guys like your brother. Regardless of what the marines had him doing there.
I want to thank you and DmBarch, I didn't mean to sell him short. He was 17 when he went into the Marines, two months after our our Mother died. Or father had left us when he was 2 and I was 3 and a half. He was in for the full 4 years. Our father had never supported us and yet signed for Albert to go in the service.His service was from 6-1-42 to 6-1-46. I remember all the boys in our town were home before Albert.
I do remember both Carl and Albert said they never saw the flag being raised. Could it have been they were too busy.
Carl wasn't was never on Saipan but Albert was, I saw that much on a sheet Albert had, then he grabbed and said it wasn't any of my business, I believe it was his tour of duty, it was long and had names I had never heard of.
Thanks again, I loved my brother and am still proud of him.
Frannie