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What words can be used to describe Iwo Jima and provide understanding of what so many extraordinarily young men went through? Sixteen and eighteen years olds that possibly attended their h.s. graduations or proms only months before leaving home for boot and the terrible terrain of that Pacific island?

Salute
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 is the 75th anniversary remembrance of the start of the Battle of Iwo Jima. I saw an interview today with the Founder of the WWII Foundation, Mr. Tim Gray. His few words probably do not even come close to describing what those Marines went through:

The brutality of the fight was unprecedented.
This was one of the most horrific and bloodiest battles of WWII.

I don’t have anything I could add.
Salute

PT7

Take those words to the streets PT and check with some 25 year old college kids and see if they even know what youre talking about

Salute.

My uncle Bill Cooper was a tank commander on Iwo. I have pictures of him with his crew. When the movie "The
Sands or Iwo Jima" came out the local paper claimed the combat footage of a flame thrower tank was his.
I don't know if that was true.
He was my friend and deer hunting buddy but he never spoke of it. All he ever said was, "don't join the Marines.

cooperhawk wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 18, 2020 10:26 pm

My uncle Bill Cooper was a tank commander on Iwo. I have pictures of him with his crew. When the movie "The
Sands or Iwo Jima" came out the local paper claimed the combat footage of a flame thrower tank was his.
I don't know if that was true.
He was my friend and deer hunting buddy but he never spoke of it. All he ever said was, "don't join the Marines.

Coop, thanks for sharing about your uncle. To have survived any combat in any location during WWII had special meaning for the soldier and family members.

First time I've ever heard of a Marine who said "don't join the Marines." I'd guess (maybe hope?) it wasn't putting down this branch of our Armed Forces per se, but an indictment of the waste of combat based on what he went through at Iwo Jima. He may never had talked about that terrible experience, but his few words speak volumes.

PT7

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:54 pm

Take those words to the streets PT and check with some 25 year old college kids and see if they even know what youre talking about

They won't!

Yes a big SALUTE to those who fight and gave all for the freedoms we have!!

I salute them all. I can't even imagine what they went through. True American Patriots.
I actually knew a man who was there. My dad was a Marine, and introduced me to this Gentleman who faught there. It was a real Honor to know Mr. T. McDonald.
SEMPER FI Brother, and to all that didn't come home.
Thank you PT7 for bringing this up. We must remember our History, and we absolutely must remember these young Men who made it possible for all of us to live free.
CPO T. Moe USCG (Ret)

PT7 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 19, 2020 8:04 am

Coop, thanks for sharing about your uncle. To have survived any combat in any location during WWII had special meaning for the soldier and family members.
First time I've ever heard of a Marine who said "don't join the Marines." I'd guess (maybe hope?) it wasn't putting down this branch of our Armed Forces per se, but an indictment of the waste of combat based on what he went through at Iwo Jima. He may never had talked about that terrible experience, but his few words speak volumes.PT7

I think Bill went through hell and didn't want me to experience that. I still had three cousins who joined the Marines and went to Vietnam. We all came back.
My Grandfather was a Rough Rider in the Spanish American War. He came back and raised fifteen children. Nine boys, six girls.
Of the nine boys seven were in WWII, and all the girls married veterans. One brother was too old, and one too young. Of the rest, one Marine, one Air Force, and the rest Army.
My Father was above draft age, but enlisted. He was in the 3rd Army and wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.

The youngest brother served in Korea.

Cooperhawk,

A salute to you and your entire family. What a bunch of great Americans.

cooperhawk wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 19, 2020 9:20 am

We all came back.

Echo what Hatchdog said: "A salute to you and your entire family."
What a military history and tradition your family has built.

PT7

dasmoeturhead wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 19, 2020 9:04 am

I salute them all. I can't even imagine what they went through. True American Patriots.

Thank you PT7 for bringing this up. We must remember our History, and we absolutely must remember these young Men who made it possible for all of us to live free.
CPO T. Moe USCG (Ret)

Will always try to post a Salute for these remembrances, Moe. I believe it's important to do so. Appreciate the encouragement...

PT7

A salute to all those guys on that day. My Dad was in WWII, never in combat. I got my combat experience in Vietnam '67. Wounded badly in the feet & legs, but made it back alive.

I also got baptized in VN. I played a small part in Ia Drang. Worked with the gunships.

cooperhawk wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 19, 2020 8:45 pm

I also got baptized in VN. I played a small part in Ia Drang. Worked with the gunships.

Yep! Loved to watch those gunships work. Save our bacon many times.
Those Huey pilots were my heroes. Medi Vacs came & got me out & 2 others, under fire.
Also, got to see " Puff the Magic Dragon" one night in action. Quite a sight to watch.
We were in the southern end of Quang Ni province, place called Duc Pho.

Welcome home brothers & sisters.