4thraiders Posted March 23, 2020 Share #1 Posted March 23, 2020 This UNIS marked map case is identified to Fred Kendall who was Captain and commanding officer of Company B, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines , 4th Marine Division during the battle of Iwo Jima. Fred enlisted on October 6th, 1941 in his home state of Kentucky. Fred would rise up through the ranks quickly and receive a commission during May of 1943 with the newly formed 25th Marines. By early 1944 Fred became a first lieutenant just in time for the assault of Kwajalein Atoll. After the success of his battalion during their first taste of combat Fred and his unit would go back to training. The next goal for 4th Marine Division was the seizure of Saipan and Tinian. Lt. Kendall and his men would land on Yellow beach in the first wave as a part of Landing team #1 under ferocious enemy fire. That same day of June 15th, 1944, Fred would distinguish himself earning his first Silver Star medal for courageous valor in saving his men who were pinned down after an advance forward. By of January 1945 Fred would obtain the title of Captain as well as an executive officer. Captain Kendall and his men would train vigorously for a new island called Iwo Jima. Fred and the Marines of 1/25 would spearhead the landing on blue beach in the southern sector near airfield 1. On March 10, 1945, the captain would witness one of his platoons push up 100 yards past the other platoons of his company and immediately become engulfed and pinned down by an extreme barrage of machine gun and small arms fire. As Kendall saw what was going down he sprung to action running through the hostile fire and leading an assault and personally aiding in the destruction of 4 machine guns and twenty two Japanese soldiers. It is most unfortunate that during the tail end of the action Captain Kendall was killed by enemy fire. Fred was awarded his second Purple Heart along with his second Silver Star for his actions that day. This map case is very sobering to hold in person. Im almost certain there is blood staining all over the front and some on the back. I found two stamps stuck in the bottom crease of the bag as well. Captain Kendall died for his men and country and that won’t be forgotten. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200323/3d99d0f79d8466e66b2d58370ca47a5a.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otter42 Posted March 24, 2020 Share #2 Posted March 24, 2020 You have to wonder how this made it back, surely this wasn't sent home in his personal effects, especially with the staining. Yes, a very sobering item, and a incredible piece of history! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thraiders Posted March 24, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted March 24, 2020 You have to wonder how this made it back, surely this wasn't sent home in his personal effects, especially with the staining. Yes, a very sobering item, and a incredible piece of history! Only one could speculate. Maybe as a souvenir similar to when John Basilone’s belongings were divided up and taken home by Marines who served with him. One could also say that whatever was in there could have been important and they had to hastily keep it together. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon54 Posted March 24, 2020 Share #4 Posted March 24, 2020 Amazing piece Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thraiders Posted March 24, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted March 24, 2020 Amazing piece Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I agree! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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