We get this info from the BBC of all places. Nevertheless, thanks for the post and God Bless the Marines who fought tooth and nail against the Japs.
That photo and the one of the soldier kissing the cute little nurse are my favorite WW2 pictures.
On the same day, 2,200 civilian internees were liberated from Los Banos Internment Camp by a combined airborne, land-based, and amphibious assault on the camp that was 25 miles behind enemy lines. Freed that day were my mother and father.
More WWII photos...
Why We Fight: “Prelude to War”
the best video to watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDulUKcmYvI&feature=related
My dad was in that 4th Marine Division.
Among my most prized possessions are pictures of my Marine father in Tientsin, China. His unit was training for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. They were given 48 hours to celebrate and then told they were going to north China. His unit landed in early October 1945 and were given the task of accepting the surrender of Japanese forces in the area and then repatriating them, and Japanese civilians, back to Japan. Almost every picture shows the Marines being mobbed and hugged by Chinese civilians and kids.
All the Marines got to go ashore and they all collected a jar of sand.
Some made the climb to the top of Mount Suribachi. One even found an old Japanese Bayonet and kept it as a souvenir.
But the thing that really sticks out was the ocean was as smooth as glass and from a mile or so out the place looked so peaceful.
Which made it hard to imagine that there was so much death and bloodshed that had occurred there a little over 40 years earlier.
In memory and honor of my uncle Ping.
That would be LtGen Holland M. "Howlin' Mad Smith.
On 19 February, after four days of naval and air bombardment
Preceded by over 70 consecutive days of aerial bombardment.
BBC writes...Reuters news agency also reports Marines have finally reached the Japanese fighter-plane base in the centre of the island, which lies just 700 yards (640m) from the bomber airfield taken by the Americans two days ago.
It's difficult to imagine the tough fighting for inches of ground, but 700 yds in 2 days puts it in a kind of context.
This Marine Dad (and USAF vet) salutes the Iwo Jima Marines with gratitude and respect.
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