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From The Gridiron To Iwo Jima and Korea


WAHOOMAN
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Tomorrow will mark the 72nd anniversary of the start of the Battle of Iwo Jima. To remember the veterans who fought in this battle I am unveiling a grouping I obtained some time ago to a veteran who served with the 2nd BN/12th Marines during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He served as a Forward Observer during the Battle. LTC Dene T. Harp was born and raised in Fairview, Oklahoma. He was an accomplished football player. He was named to the 1938 Oklahoma All-State High School Football Team. Based on my research he was on the football squads for the Oklahoma University Sooners and the University of Colorado Buffalos. I am uncertain if he had any playing time. He attended the aforementioned Universities in pursuit of his commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was Commissioned a 2nd LT on April 11, 1945 and completed training in Field Artillery in 1944. He went to the 28th Replacement draft and eventually to the 12th Marines. He also played for the 2nd Marine Division All Star Team in 1947, where the team beat the Little Creek Amphibious Eleven 12-7 for the Atlantic Fleet Championship. His source of commission was ROTC. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII, Occupation duty in Tientsin, China, Korea and various assignments in the U.S. This grouping had a large volume of paper, that included signatures of two Marine Corps Commandants.

 

 

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Additional documents. Based on my research John L. Schwabe was in the battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Saipan. For his service, he was awarded a Silver Star, five Bronze Stars and a Presidential Citation for Valor. When President Jimmy Carter became president, Schwabe was offered the Deputy Attorney General position. Schwabe declined the offer.

 

 

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Additional documents regarding his award for the Air Medal. The signature is for Randolph McCall Pate. He was the 21st USMC Commandant, from 1/1/1956 - 12/31/1959.

 

 

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BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! I love it. This one hits near and dear as a Marine who was also an artilleryman and as a University of Oklahoma graduate and grandson of an Iwo Marine from Oklahoma. Fantastic. Thank you for sharing this one, a true Marine and Sooner through and through!!!!!!

Semper Fi

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