Kadet Posted February 18, 2013 Share #1 Posted February 18, 2013 In memory of the date, I wanted to post the following group. 1st Lt Stanley Gordon hailed from Miami FL. He was a "mustang", having served in the Corps prior to WWII as an enlisted man. He served as a Platoon Commander and Company XO in B Co, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division. Gordon was wounded on Saipan while leading an assault on a Japanese position. He was also awarded the Bronze Star for this action. He went ashore during the initial assault on Iwo, and was KIA by a GSW in the head on 19 Feb, again while leading his men in an assault. Also pictured are the officers and NCOs of his company. Most of these men were killed or wounded before the war was over. I have a complete copy of his service record. It includes letters from his chain of command to NOK following his death. He was a highly respected, and no doubt very brave officer. His record also contains several essays and application documents that Gordon used to get in to OCS. He was an extremely articulate young man. His loss was no doubt a heavy blow to his unit. The medals are all typical US Mint contract pieces. The first PH is privately engraved, the second w/ the gold star is officially engraved, w/ privately engraved date. The BSM is unengraved. There are two GCMs. I believe one to be his original that was probably in his personal effects. The other is the one sent to his NOK w/ the PH and BSM. The three pieces of insignia were kept w/ the medals and ribbons. The LT bar may have been on his collar when he was killed, as it is heavily worn. Semper Fi Stanley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted February 18, 2013 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted February 18, 2013 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted February 18, 2013 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted February 18, 2013 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Kadet Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted February 18, 2013 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted February 18, 2013 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted February 18, 2013 Share #10 Posted February 18, 2013 Great little group to a Marine who sacrificed all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted February 18, 2013 Bronze Star Citation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devildog34 Posted February 18, 2013 Share #12 Posted February 18, 2013 Outstanding reminder of the horrors exacted 68 years ago tomorrow. I have walked that sector of beach (Yellow 1) where 1/23 landed. It's quite sobering to realize what took place. Thank you for sharing this one. God bless Stanley on this approaching anniversary. Semper Fi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted February 18, 2013 Share #13 Posted February 18, 2013 very sad group. Killed on the first day of the assault on Iwo thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted February 18, 2013 Share #14 Posted February 18, 2013 Wonderful grouping to an Iwo Jima hero. Especially poignant to me as I served in 1/23 in the USMCR. R.I.P. Lt Gordon.......Semper Fi.......Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted February 18, 2013 Share #15 Posted February 18, 2013 A very nice and sobering group, thank you for posting. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted February 18, 2013 Share #16 Posted February 18, 2013 Thank you for sharing this great group!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torch03 Posted February 18, 2013 Share #17 Posted February 18, 2013 Great group! Thanks for sharing it with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted February 19, 2013 Share #18 Posted February 19, 2013 RIP ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted February 20, 2013 Share #19 Posted February 20, 2013 Very nice Iwo valor grouping to a hard charger.....RIP warrior! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted February 20, 2013 Share #20 Posted February 20, 2013 Thanks for sharing his group and story! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted February 21, 2013 Share #21 Posted February 21, 2013 A tragic story and real great grouping! Thanks for posting Andy! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KySoldier Posted February 23, 2013 Share #22 Posted February 23, 2013 A true American Hero ! God bless this brave marine and keep him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted March 1, 2013 Share #23 Posted March 1, 2013 Great group,reading that citation reminds me that freedom is not free.What a hero.War is hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViewfinderGyrene Posted June 21, 2014 Share #24 Posted June 21, 2014 Wonderful insignia group, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
American Heritage Posted July 13, 2014 Share #25 Posted July 13, 2014 HERO. That date 19 Feb 45 appears on so many Purple Heart citations. Eerie to see it on a headstone here. Reminder of the cost of freedom. So much has happened since that day and so much time has passed but Iwo is forever etched into the lineage of the Corps and always will be remembered as long as America continues to make Marines. Great medals you have the privilege of preserving! Semper Fi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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