Iwo Jima Marine Recognized After 57 Years!

Gunny G's Marines Sites/Forums ^ | March 27, 2002 | Dick Gaines GySgt USMC (Ret.)

[4TheFlag]

Thanks for the ping SB..

A HUGE Marine Bump for my Marine daughter Kelly!!

Semper Fi from an old Army Grunt...

[Snow Bunny]

I am so glad you pinged me to it.Thank you soooo much !!!!

[gunnyg]

And a BIG Marine Thank You to....
Ray "Doc" Fornof who worked long and hard to achieve recognition for Ray Jacobs!!!

[gunnyg]

Ray Jacobs

Ray can be contacted at....
Ray1Jacobs@msn.com

[gunnyg]

I should point out, that there are now TWO known survivors of the Iwo Jima flagraising--Cpl Chuck Lindberg, and now Sgt Ray Jacobs.

As PltSgt Thomas points out (see the book, Iwo Jima...by Marling/Wetenhall, Harvard University Press....) only three Marines actually raised the first flag, i.e., Lt Schrier, Sgt Hansen and PSgt Thomas.

However, Thomas was adamant in his explanation to a reporter two days following the flagraising, that ALL of the 40-man combat patrol shared equally in the event.

It is not known, nor have I ever seen any indication that any of the others of that patrol are still around--I do have a roster of that platoon.

[gunnyg]

E-2-28 (3rdPlt) Roster

[gunnyg]

Note:
Previous Iwo Jima threads FR

CLICKHERE!

[gunnyg]

Related Information -- Marine Corps Museum!

[gunnyg]

This has been done many times using the "replacement" flag pic; I think it should be done at least once w/the genuine article!

LEST WE FORGET! By Gunny G!

[gunnyg]

Vosot6@wmconnect.com

To :
gunnyg@hotmail.com (Richard Gaines)

Subject :
Flag raising Iwo Jima statue

Date :
Fri, 27 Jun 2003 13:46:31 EDT

Reply Reply All Forward Delete Printer Friendly Version

Hi Dick.

I have some information that may be of interest to your readers. The city of Fall River Ma. just completed the project of bronzing a 2/3 replica of the flag raising on Iwo Jima. As soon as they raise additional funds, it is going to be assembled and placed on a pedestal in a city park. The finished bronzed statue is currently lying in a waterfront warehouse in three sections, awaiting additional funding to acquire a base.

The plaster mold that it was poured from was also returned to the city. Mr. Rick Kitchen, the Fall River Parks Administrator is anxious to sell the model, as they don't need it anymore. In a few weeks the city will be seeking bids. Their only stipulation is that the buyer be at least 200 miles distant from the city, as they expect it to become a major tourist attraction.

The plaster model was made by Felix DeWeldon, the man who created the full sized statue in Washington DC. Some time ago the company who made the bronze statue, offered to buy the model from the city for $150,000 but at the time, the city was not interested in selling it. The State had promised to fund the whole project. Since then the state backed out of the deal, citing a poor economy and huge deficit.

The city is unsure whether the Bronzing Company still has an interest, but legally they need to get at least three bids.

If any Vererans organization is interested in creating an identical bronzed Flag Raising statue, they may wsh to consider contacting the city of Fall River Parks Department for details. Their number is 508-324-2550. On a related note, Mr. Felix DeWeldon passed away about two weeks ago.

Frank Clynes