Battle of Iwo Jima

[American]

The 59th memorial and reunion of the Battle of Iwo Jima was held today on that small island 700 miles south of Tokyo. Both Japanese and American veterans attended. If you want to know more about what actually transpired there and what sacrifices were made, read "Flags of Our Fathers", a recent best-seller non-fiction book by the son of the last surviving flag-raiser (from the iconic photograph) James "Doc" Bradley. It's a beautiful, emotional and shocking look into the battle itself, and the lives of the six flag-raisers, three of them never to leave the island alive. Of the 22,000Japanese defenders only 1000 survived the six week struggle. U.S. forces absorbed 25,000 casualties.

If anyone has read "Flags of Our Fathers" I'd like to hear your comments about it.

 

[bulldog77]

One of best books on WWII I have ever read. And it seems like I have read most of them!
The son of Bradley. the Navy medic and last survivor of flag-raisers, tells a great depiction of the battle and the experiences of the flag-raisers. The things that happened to Ira Hayes after the war almost break your heart.

 

[wilheim]

One example of the incrdible bravery shown by the men who faught and died on Iwo Jima.



Congressional Medal of Honor
Awarded Posthumously
WILLIAM ROBERT CADDY
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Place and date: While serving as a rifleman with Company 1, 3d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945.
Born: 8 August 1925, Quincy, Massachusetts.
Accredited to: Massachusetts.

Consistently aggressive, Pfc. Caddy boldly defied shattering Japanese machinegun and small arms fire to move forward with his platoon leader and another Marine during the determined advance of his company through an isolated sector and, gaining the comparative safety of a shell hole, took temporary cover with his comrades.

Immediately pinned down by deadly sniper fire from a well-concealed position, he made several unsuccessful attempts to again move forward and then, joined by his platoon leader, engaged the enemy in a fierce exchange of hand grenades until a Japanese grenade fell beyond reach in the shell hole.

Fearlessly disregarding all personal danger, Pfc. Caddy instantly dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, he unhesitatingly yielded his own life that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His dauntless courage and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Caddy and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.

wil.

 

[American]

Thank you for that Wilheim. William Robert Caddy. 6 months shy of his 20th birthday. Let's not forget him.

Bulldog77...Thank you also for your reply. I was also deeply moved by that book. Anyone who hasn't read "Flags of Our Fathers", I urge you to do so. You'll thank me later.

I'm going to assume that you read "In Harm's Way" about the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, as well? Another incredible book.

 

[wilheim]

American I know a lot about the Indianapolis. Captain Charles McVay got railroaded by the Navy. A few years ago (year 2000) Capt McVay was posthumously exonerated for the loss of the ship. New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith was behind the legislation signed by then Pres. Clinton to exonerate McVay. He was the only Captain who lost his ship in WW2 that was ever court martialed, over 350 ships were lost.

wil.