LONG AFTER FADING AWAY, A FORGOTTEN MARINE REEMERGES

Boston Globe ^ | May 11, 03 | Benjamin Gadin

[gunnyg]

'Bout time--is this enough?

R.W. "Dick" Gaines, GySgt USMC (Ret.)
1952-72

[gunnyg]

Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima

[RaceBannon]

Semper Fi Bump

[gunnyg]

The Three Flag Raisers of Mount Suribachi

[Taxman]

Semper Fi, Gunny!

Thank you for your service.

[fnord]

Semper Fi    bump

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

When resistance ceased, five other Marines replaced the original flag with a larger one

When resistance ceased? What a load of revisionist crap. Tell the families of Block, Genaust, Sousley, Strank, et al who were later KIA on Iwo, that resistance ceased.

five other Marines? Five Marines and a Navy Corpsman. Did Benjamin Gedan and Jayson Blair graduate from the same journalism school?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Ping!

[Molly Pitcher]

Marine FYI.

[M Kehoe]

Good morning! Thanks for the ping. I guess it's better late than never.

You do remember I'm Army, right?

5.56mm

[Molly Pitcher]

NO! I thought you were...never mind...I've had a bad spring, but not offering any excuses:-)

[Molly Pitcher]

Now I got it right!

[gunnyg]

Note:
Ray Jacobs, the radioman seen in Lowery's photos of the Lt Schrier's 40-man patrol up Suribachi, is alive and well, and has been receptive to e-mail from those interested in this story. Chuck Lindberg, also a survivor of the original patrol, is also alive and well, but to the best of my knowledge, is not on the 'Net.

Re the actual flag raising--I would suggest 3 books for the best documentation--Tedd Thomey's "Immortal Images:" Albee's "Shadow of Suribachi"; and, Marling/Wetenhall's "Iwo Jima"--for those few who desire the straight scoop and in the best available detail...

DickG

[sergeantdave]

Marine Corps Legends. A bit off topic but worth retelling.

“Retreat, Hell. We just got here.”

Fighting spirit and determination against heavy odds is a sound tradition in the Marine Corps and nowhere is there a more graphic illustration than an incident which occurred in World War I. Legendary or true, it personifies the aggressive attitude of Marines.
The occasion was the third great German breakthrough of 1918, when the 4th Marine Brigade and its parent 2d Infantry Division were thrown in to help stem the tide in the Belleau wood sector. The 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, had just arrived at its position when an automobile skidded to a stop and a French officer dashed out and approached the commanding officer. He explained that a general retreat was in progress and that orders were for the Marines to withdraw. The Marine officer exclaimed in amazement, “Retreat Hell! We just got here.”
And the Marines proceeded to prove their point. The battalion deployed and took up firing positions. As the Germans approached, they came under rifle fire which was accurate at ranges beyond their comprehension. Not in vain had the Marine Corps long stressed in its training the sound principles of marksmanship. The deadly fire took the heart out of the German troops and the attack was stopped.

From - www.grunts.com

[Criminal Number 18F]

Hey Gunny!

Do you know which of the gents in this picture is the unfortunate Sgt. Hanson? If so, please tell us.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Paulus Invictus]

Or how about this:

Master Gunnery Sergeant George E. Wilson USMC 1944-1971

He fulfilled his duty to America in Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa, China, Japan, Lebanon, and Viet Nam. He died in March and is our own special Marine hero. He also was one of four Marines that founded the Toys for Tots program that is still up and running. Semper Fi George!

[gunnyg]

Sgt Hanson is shown in the left of Lowery's pic (w/o helmet) wearing utility/dungaree/gung ho/ cap. behind him w/radio on his back, is Pfc Ray Jacobs.

Incidentally, Hanson was originally named as being in Rosenthal's pic also; he was removed from the list of "replacemnbet" flag raisers (a year or so after the fact) in favor of another Marine now presently considered the correcectly identified Marine in the photo--for an eye-opener on how this came about see Marling's book...

DickG

[gunnyg]

Hey sergeantdave--your post indicates to me that this may also interest you...Here!

DickG

[JoeSixPack1]

Srmper Fi Gunny. Great catch!

Heros = ordinary men in extraordinary circumstance while at death's doorstep. These warriors fit the bill!

And bring PRIDE to MY Marine Corps! OohhRah~!!

[firewalk]

bttt