Iwo Jima Reunion Plaque- 52 Signatures

[kklinejr]

This is a neat Iwo Jima piece I picked up late last month. Measuring a large 2 feet x 3 feet in size and laminated onto nicely finished, one inch thick maple, this photo has been signed by 52 veterans of the battle (man is it heavy). Originally I thought it was a 5th MARDIV only piece used at the reunions (as I picked this up with several reunion programs), however some 4th and 3rd MARDIV men have signed as well. The last signature was obtained and dated in February of 1977 (signed on back - not under lamination), but I believe the process of getting it signed began years before as Keller Rockey, commanding general of the 5th MARDIV, has signed it and he passed away in 1970. So far here are the signatures I have identified:

 

K.E. Rockey, commanding general, 5th MARDIV

Sgt. James J. Rossi, 5th Service Battalion, 5th MARDIV

SSGT George R. Bremman, 24th Marines, 4th MARDIV

Sgt. Patrick J. Hayes, 28th Marines, 5th MARDIV

PhMA2 James G. Gabriel , attached to 3rd MARDIV - Purple Heart

PltSgt. Donald C. Weaver, A Company, 1st Bat, 28th Marines, 5th MARDIV- Bronze Star , Purple Heart

PFC George C. Jones, 11th Amphib. Tractor battalion, 5th MARDIV

PFC Raymond Browne, 13th Marines, 5th MARDIV

PFC Roy C. Welch, 28th marines, 5th MARDIV - Purple Heart

PltSgt. James I. King, 27th Marines, 5th Mardiv

Cpl. Joe A. Brance, 13th Marines, 5th MARDIV

PFC Woodrow Banks, 27th Replacements, 5th MARDIV - Purple Heart

Sgt. Maj. Alexander Welter Jr., 27th Replacements, 5th MARDIV

PFC Alexander grech, HQ Company, 3rd BTN, 27th Marines, 5th MARDIV (Former 4th Parachute BTN)

CCook Frnak Buderman, 5th Pioner BTN., 5th MARDIV - Bronze Star

Cpl. James M. Walker, HQ battalion, 5th MARDIV - Purple Heart

PFC james E. Travis, 26th Marines, 5th MARDIV

HA1C Greg Emery, 5th Medical Detachment, 5th MARDIV- Purple Heart

CPL. Jim O'Hara, 5th Pioneer BTN., 5th MARDIV

Private Ed Bange, 5th Engineer Battalion, 5th MARDIV

 

I have over 30 names yet to identify (just when I though I had chickenscratch).

 

Ken