19 February This day in History: Iwo Jima

2015-02-19T08:54:21-05:00

Brothers from another era shed nervous energy, jittered and tapped coming ashore in landing craft. They swallowed hard on their steak and eggs breakfast as Naval Gunfire crashed and Close Air Support buzzed overhead. Incoming zipped and cracked over their heads as they hit the lava sand beach. They faced an enemy dedicated, prepared and dug in.

In the end, 7,000 Marines would give the last full measure of devotion. 20,000 would fall wounded. And 24,000 airmen would be saved by the emergency landing strip offered during the bombing campaigns against Japan. The first emergency landing was executed before the strip was even fully secured.

Semper Fidelis Marines.

http://www.nationalww2museum.org/focus-on/iwo-jima-fact-sheet.pdf
http://www.iwojima.com/

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Feb 19 at 2015 10:31 AM

2015-02-19T10:31:40-05:00

Several years ago I knew a few old Corps Iwo vets. The stories old Chuck would tell almost brought tears to my eyes. When he spoke of the landing and the steel rain of motor fire coming down, I could see it in his eyes. REST IN PIECE Chuck.