Pbaczuk Posted June 28, 2016 Share #1 Posted June 28, 2016 Hi all. When I was an enlisted Marine I was on Okinawa from 1991 to 1993. we got to do a battle study tour of Iwo Jima. Naturally, we picked up stuff as the soil wept artifacts like bullets, Japanese grenades, shrapnel and 1945 coke bottles. I also saw a flame thrower pack and an upside down M1 Sherman on the beach. In a cave I found this pipe (I took 2 pipes and traded 1 for something else). Also, here is some sand pictured. This pipes were hand made from trees on the island and an inscription is carved on the front of this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbaczuk Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted June 28, 2016 The inscription Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbaczuk Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted June 28, 2016 Sand from the invasion beach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbaczuk Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted June 28, 2016 Japanese soldier's pipe and rough kanji inscription. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViewfinderGyrene Posted June 28, 2016 Share #5 Posted June 28, 2016 Very niceeee, oh if you had only been able to bring back that flamethrower harness! Damn.... ~VFG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ashooter Posted June 28, 2016 Share #6 Posted June 28, 2016 Thank you for sharing. My was with the 4th Marine Division during the fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomP Posted June 28, 2016 Share #7 Posted June 28, 2016 Very cool! I was able to visit Iwo as well back in 2007. That is one interesting island. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted June 30, 2016 Share #8 Posted June 30, 2016 is that a metal film canister that the sand is in? very cool to bring back, I'd love to have some myself for a display for my cousin KIA on Iwo Jima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turmanator Posted July 1, 2016 Share #9 Posted July 1, 2016 Yep that's pretty cool! I am a bit distracred with animal-instinct jealousy that not only did you get to go to Iwo but you brought back something so unique, cool and personal that had laid where it was put during use 50 years earler! You completely shattered my day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbaczuk Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted July 1, 2016 That was not my intent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted July 1, 2016 Share #11 Posted July 1, 2016 Really interesting relics...thank you for sharing the images. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turmanator Posted July 2, 2016 Share #12 Posted July 2, 2016 Do you have any pictures you took while there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbaczuk Posted July 2, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted July 2, 2016 No. I didn't own a camera at the time. Hell, this was 1992 and I was a LCpl. I regret not bringing a disposable camera with me. Some Marines had cameras I am not in touch with them. I am sure it wasn't as restricted as to where you can go and what you could nab. I have some more sand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbaczuk Posted July 2, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted July 2, 2016 I have soil/sand from Bastogne, Anzio, coral from Peleliu (a Marine friend brought for me during his visit) and Iwo sand. I remember one guy found a toe bone in a cave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted July 2, 2016 Share #15 Posted July 2, 2016 so whered the film canister come from if you didnt have a camera? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbaczuk Posted July 2, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted July 2, 2016 I put sand originally in a big brown plastic MRE bag and transferred it to other containers. I have it in film canisters and bottles still to this day. Film containers are great for many things including coins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted July 2, 2016 Share #17 Posted July 2, 2016 I put sand originally in a big brown plastic MRE bag and transferred it to other containers. I have it in film canisters and bottles still to this day. Film containers are great for many things including coins I agree they are. my grandmother had a bunch in her sewing kit. I particularly love the metal kind like you have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james127 Posted July 2, 2016 Share #18 Posted July 2, 2016 Very cool! I would love to visit Iwo Jima at some point. Too bad you didn't have enough room for the upside down Sherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolved Posted July 2, 2016 Share #19 Posted July 2, 2016 Cant imagine stepping foot on iwo. Wonder what its like today.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turmanator Posted July 4, 2016 Share #20 Posted July 4, 2016 As an active duty Marine at the time I can just imagine the pride, sadness and pure awe you felt seeing the holiest of the holies of the USMC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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