Memories of Iwo Jima

Comments

Rob Henderson - May 12, 2020

Great story- Dad is a Marine and we live near Paris Island- Dad was wounded near Chosin on November 28, 1950, Dog company I think, Royal British Comandos helped get him help, He spoke of Chesty Puller often.

Richard Maupin - May 12, 2020

Wow….. that’s about all I can say. The honor, and pride of being able to hear those stories first hand. Semper Fi Marines!!

Sgt Thomas P. Crerand USMC RVN 1968 - May 12, 2020

My father was a machine gun squad leaded , 21st Marines 3rd Marine Div. The third was the reserve Div and not scheduled to land on Iwo, but the casualties were that high that the regiment was landed 2/21/1945. In an assault on one of the three airfields he was wounded, with one bullet ripping the brim off his helmet and another tearing through his right thigh. He was the only man in his squad to make it off Iwo alive. As a young boy I remember asking my dad if they won the war, he replied that, ” there are no winners in war everyone looses”. Sgt John W. Crerand 7/14/1920 – 7/21/1961

Steve Robertson — “Chesty’s Friend” - May 12, 2020

Dear Sgt. Grit, You and I go back quite a few years discussing my personal friendship and that of my family with Gen. Puller (Chesty). Yet this Video hit me hard….why……a dear friend Mike Dudash..we were together for over 35 years helping Marines. He died two years ago, at 93. He was on the 2nd wave at Iwo. Was on the 1st Wave but his Landing Craft broke down. He was selected because of his Communication Skills and was on top of Mount Suribachi right behind “The Flag Raisers” because he was to setup communications with both Command and the Fleet because of the overview of the Island. Mr. Dudash and I traveled alot to Marine Commands in “PME’s”, he on Iwo and me on “Chesty”. Well, I have slowed down alot in this mission because we aren’t together anymore. Please……Please keep putting our your NewsLetters. They are important and your Marines constantly provide valuable History. Steve Robertson

Cpl J. W. Hornsey Mike 3/1 CUPP RVN 1970 - May 12, 2020

That video made me cry. My dad passed away 21 years ago from a brain stem aneurysm. He was with Foxtrot 2/27, 5th MarDiv. landed on Red Beach near the base of Suribachi. Their objective was to secure airfield #1. I have a copy of that picture of the 5th Div Cemetery on the wall in our den. He got it shortly after the battle. I also have a 22 pistol he took from a Japanese Majors hand. Met a guy recently at the grocery store who had been on a Navy Cruiser off the Island. He told me how they shelled Suribachi until they burned the barrel out on their 5″ guns. Awesome to talk to those people. God Bless them all. Semper Fi

Sgt T. K. Shimono (59-68) - May 12, 2020

If I ever had a chance to understand Iwo Jima, I have a business, after retirement from the aerospace industry (27 years), that allowed me to meet many people from all walks of life. What a coincidence it was when I was talking to two of my customers, and the Marine Corps service came up. One had a grandfather who fought on Iwo Jima, and the other had his elderly father, who fought on Iwo Jima. These two Marines lived about a mile apart in Lake Elsinore, CA., and never met. What stories these two could have told us of how bad the battle for Iwo Jima was based upon eye witness accounts. Semper Fi to all of these Marines and to all Marines, past, present and into the future. God Bless You All!

Joe Cope - May 12, 2020

Angelo, you just cannot keep you 5th Div. guys down, your looking good for a WW II Vet. Sure miss the Iwo Jima you and John would have every year on LI, sad but good time every year. SEMPER Fi, Joe Cope

Paul Annetts - May 12, 2020

Outstanding Marines one and all! Semper Fi!

Sgt C Conkwright. – 1962. 2nd MCD. - May 12, 2020

My very good friend who had passed away a couple of years ago, was the best. His name was Chuck Tatum. He wrote a best seller called “ Red Blood Black Sand”. This book was used in the HBO movie called “Pacific” just a great series to watch. All the stuff for the Battle for Iwo came from his book. I have the DVD set for Pacific and Chuck is interviewed at the end of the last DVD. Just a good history to watch. His Machine gun Sgt was Gunny Sgt John Basilone who won the Medal of Honor at the Canal. Chuck was with Basilone and saw him killed at Iwo. If you want to read a good story find his book on the net. I sure do miss him and our conversations. Just a super person and great Marine.

Gio - May 12, 2020

I used to have a neighbor that was at Iwo Jima. He said he hated the Japanese because they wouldn’t give up and the damned sand. God bless all of the Iwo survivors because the Marines who died there earned they way into Heaven! Semper Fi