February 19, 20179 yr #1 Let's kick off the 72nd anniversary of the assault of Iwo Jima by posting anything and everything we have related to the battle. I'll start with my 3.. Mark Ronald Lee landed this morning 72 years ago as part of the 1st Joint Assault Signal Company, 4th Marine Division. Three days into the battle he was wounded by Japanese artillery shrapnel in the side. He was evacuated to a hospital ship, but the war was over for him. He went on to serve in the 1st Marine Division in Korea.
February 19, 20179 yr Author #2 72 years ago today found Herman Mays, a truck driver with the V Amphibious Corps, making his third assault landing of WWII. Having already survived Tinian and Saipan, I could imagine he was weary of yet another landing. Miraculously he survived the battle unscathed and served on Iwo for the entirety of the battle.
February 19, 20179 yr Author #3 And on this day 72 years ago, Lawrence McKinley was serving as a water tender (he sweat it out in the boiler room) on the USS Napa, which offloaded some of the very first assault troops to hit the beach on Iwo.
February 19, 20179 yr #4 Here is a link I posted on the forum of my visit there several years ago. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/187713-iwo-jima-iwo-to/
February 19, 20179 yr Author #5 Here is a link I posted on the forum of my visit there several years ago. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/187713-iwo-jima-iwo-to/ Absolutely incredible photos, thanks for sharing. It must have been a humbling experience.
February 19, 20179 yr #8 UNIS marked Canteen Cover that is named to Charles E. Flagle. This one shows some heavy use, I can't even imagine what it's seen... -Steven
February 19, 20179 yr #9 Here's my Iwo item: a uniform belonging to 2nd Lt. Robert L Bauer who served with the 3rd JASCO's on Iwo as an air liaison. Before that he was WIA on Guam earning him the Purple Heart.
February 19, 20179 yr #10 An older post. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/68409-lyod-ardys-kern-navy-corpsman-3rd-marine-division/?hl=kern
February 19, 20179 yr #11 From my collection: PHM3 received a Purple Heart on Saipan, a Purple Heart on Iwo Jima, a Bronze star w. "V" on Iwo Jima which was later upgraded to a Silver Star.
February 19, 20179 yr #17 1st pattern pack named to Herbert J Schmaltz of the 4th Marine Division. The pack was issued three times during the war and was eventually issued to Schmaltz of JASCO. Sadly, Schmaltz was KIA, and his body was buried in his hometown of Salem Oregon.
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