Posted on 03/02/2010 11:20:28 AM PST by AngelesCrestHighway
Hundreds of U.S. Marines landed on the remote island of Iwo Jima on Tuesday to prepare for the 65th anniversary of one of World War II's bloodiest and most iconic battles. The Marines flew in trucks, water and food from Washington to support Wednesday's commemorations of the 1945 battle that was a turning point in the Pacific theater. It claimed 6,821 American and 21,570 Japanese lives in 36 days of intense fighting. A drill team also arrived on the island. The commemoration was to be attended by about 1,000 people, including Marine Corps commandant Gen. James Conway, members of Japan's parliament and representatives of the Iwo Jima survivors' association. Only about two dozen American veterans of the battle are expected to attend the "reunion of honor" ceremony because few of the survivors - now in their 80s and 90s - are able to make the trip. It was not known if any of the fewer than 1,000 Japanese who survived the battle would be able to attend.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
The story of that picture is amazing. Hopefully, I get this correct. This iconic picture is of the second flag htat was raised. The first flag was small and on a shorter staff. One of the brass (a general I think) called for a much larger flag, and someone had to fly out to another island to pick it up. When it arrived, a few guys were called over to help raise the staff. The photographer was taking alot of pictures of guys and sent all the pictures forward without realizing the importance of this one. Well, he got a call about it, and the picture took off in a firestorm making it an icon.
To all those from Iwo Jima...Siemper Fi!
The Greatest Generation? You betcha!!!
OK. Thats good to know.
Pictures of the re-enactment. Maybe video.
Ira Hayes..........THIS IS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!
From your Ani-Yun-Wiya brother.........
ping
I always thought so. Thanks.
I will pass it along.
Awesome.
Bumping to keep the memory alive.
and another bow to the East.
Semper fi.
That is beautiful: today is the day.
Thanks for posting the picture-looks awesome.
oh my gosh, that is so cool!!!
Lost photos of Iwo Jima
I havent seen most. It has pictures of the aftermath of the final suicide attack by the last, remaining Japs, on some flight crew quarters and this is the first I saw pictures of that attack.
One picture has a man who is said to be calling out a position as a spotter. That is incorrect, that man was interviewed on a documentary on Iwo and he tells the story that he ws yawning when the photographer took the shot! If you look at his mouth, he is wide open.
Hat tip to a Marine friend who sent me these!
Iwo Jima photos....
http://picasaweb.google.com/7thfighter/IwoJima?authkey=Gv1sRgCIW06db_6oth&feat=email#slideshow/5299163150448181842
OFFICIAL U.S.M.C. COMBAT PHOTOS OF CHINA, GUAM, OKINAWA & IWO JIMA
http://www.rhyner.com/photos/china.html
my volcanic ash from the Red Beach
Someone really needs to plant some trees on that island. :)
Great pic!
Look forward to hearing more about your trip.
Someone really needs to plant some trees on that island. :)
Great pic!
Look forward to hearing more about your trip.
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