WWII Iwo Jima Veteran Granddaughter - New to page!

[Pint Sized Patriot]

Hi! My name is Jessamyn

 

I currently volunteer for Honor Flight Syracuse as a graphic designer, and have joined the 5th Marine Division Association, in addition to volunteering as the graphic designer for Iwo Jima Association of America (IJAA).

 

My ultimate goal is to keep the legacies of our incredible WWII veterans alive, and to make sure our younger generations and future generations know about our greatest generation and love our country as much as they did

 

My incredible grandfather is my reason for loving the Marines, WWII history, Iwo Jima and my freedom. He fought on Iwo Jima for the full 36 days; he was 1st Battalion - 26th Regiment - 5th Marine Division; he landed on Red Beach 2, fought to the end of airstrip #1 southern tip up the west side. He is such an inspiration to me and one of the most amazing men I had the privilege of knowing & loving...to this day, one of the strongest men I’ve known & an incredible Marine. He is my hero.

 

Trying to eloquently put into words all that my Grandfather meant to me feels almost impossible, as he has always been such an important part of my life.

If there was anything my Grandfather ever taught me by example, it was forgiveness, kindness, love and compassion.

My grandfather enlisted in the United States Marine Corps when he was just 17 and fought all 36 days on Iwo Jima.

Surviving that devastating battle was a miracle.

He saw the flag raised, he lost friends and USMC brothers..

He experienced firsthand the brutality of war and hate..

 

My grandfather taught me by example to forgive; over the years, he worked to help return countless artifacts to Japanese families. These "souvenirs" (photos, flags, artifacts, etc.) were taken from the deceased bodies of the Japanese at Iwo and other battlefields. My grandfather’s belief was that sending them back to Japan was a gesture of healing and release, both for grieving families and for graying Marines.

 

In 1970, My grandfather met a Buddhist monk at one of the anniversary trips he attended at Iwo Jima. They'd both traveled there for the 25th anniversary of the battle. The monk explained how Japanese families treasure any artifact of those who died on the island, artifacts that become part of the way those families pray for the lost. My grandfather thought about what the monk was asking. Like thousands of other Americans, he'd taken home battlefield "souvenirs," items he'd found in the possession of enemy dead. He sent the monk what he had: a Japanese diary, a pay book, some black and white photographs.

 

For the next 45 years, my grandfather quietly served as an intermediary. He returned photos, flags, and similar artifacts that American Marines and Soldiers had taken from Japanese bodies, at Iwo and other battlefields.

 

“The Americans who fought on Iwo Jima in the end had greater numbers of men, material and technology superiority than the Japanese, but I believe that it was the raw courage, esprit de corps, and fighting spirit of the United States Marines that in the end won the day there.

Admiral Charles W. Nimitz once said, “Among the Americans who served on Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

I believe from my own experience there that what he said was absolutely true.” - USMC Sgt. Marty Connor 1926-2020

 

I am currently trying to find his possessions that were sold in an estate sale, I was  not allowed to remove them and preserve and cherish them due to they had been posted and I wasn't allowed. Attached below are photos of my Grandfather and also my trip to Iwo Jima to honor him this past March which was a humbling and incredible experience.

Also the photos of the listing of his precious possessions that I am trying to locate desperately. Please help me!

 

 

[manayunkman]

Love the Donald Duck jacket and your grandfathers amazing history.

 

But truly amazing are his principles and his forgiveness displayed in his desire to return relics to Japanese families.

 

Thank you for joining the forum and posting his artifacts, a wonderful story.

 

 

[Pint Sized Patriot]

3 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

Thank you! I truly appreciate your kindness! He was such an incredible Man, Grandfather and Marine!

 

[manayunkman]

4 minutes ago, Pint Sized Patriot said:

 

I hope you find his artifacts, were they sold in New York?

 

Are the items you posted pictures of in the sale?

 

Not a big fan of the estate sale company as these companies often pull items that families want back.

 

Ive done many estate sales and have pulled items that families decided not to sell.

[Pint Sized Patriot]

57 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

I hope you find his artifacts, were they sold in New York?

 

Are the items you posted pictures of in the sale?

 

Not a big fan of the estate sale company as these companies often pull items that families want back.

 

Ive done many estate sales and have pulled items that families decided not to sell.

They were, in central NY it was an estate sale.

Thats the whole collection that was sold.

They wouldn't let me take it because it had been posted for the estate sale and there was interest. But He's my Grandfather and this is my family's history it is so important and precious to me and no one helped me.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EhAzyBQmi/

 

Thats the link to the post of where it was sold AFTER it was bought at the estate sale and the CNY Militaria & Collectibles Auctions has been so great helping me but we are at a dead end so I am trying everything to find it all!

[Thor996]

I follow you on facebook. Have been for quite a while now. I wish you luck and good fortune in your quest. 

I go to my fair share of estate sales and I often wonder how and why people let stuff like this get in them in the first place if someone in the family has an interest in them. 

best wishes

 

dave

[manayunkman]

2 hours ago, Pint Sized Patriot said:

They were, in central NY it was an estate sale.

Thats the whole collection that was sold.

They wouldn't let me take it because it had been posted for the estate sale and there was interest. But He's my Grandfather and this is my family's history it is so important and precious to me and no one helped me.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EhAzyBQmi/

 

Thats the link to the post of where it was sold AFTER it was bought at the estate sale and the CNY Militaria & Collectibles Auctions has been so great helping me but we are at a dead end so I am trying everything to find it all!

I truly hope that you will eventually be reunited with your grandfathers things.

 

And find an M1 Garand.

[Pint Sized Patriot]

26 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

I truly hope that you will eventually be reunited with your grandfathers things.

 

And find an M1 Garand.

Thank you!! And yes!! Someday!!

[danimal03]

Great post!!! Thank you for sharing this amazing story.