On February 19, sixty-nine years ago, the first of 3 Marine divisions began the amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima.  Thus began 36 days of some of the bloodiest combat of the Pacific campaign.  Let us reflect, today, and remember the almost 7,000 young Marines who never returned from that volcanic island.   

At the U.S. Memorial on Iwo Jima, there's a plaque which, in part, reads:

When you go home
Tell them for us and say,
"For your tomorrow
We gave our today." 

In commemoration of their sacrifice, I offer the following:


Ray Charles, America The Beautiful Lyrics


Oh beautiful, for heroes proved,
In liberating strife,
Who more than self, their country loved,
And mercy more than life,
America, America, may God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain devined.

Yes. This country would be a lot better off if it had a memory.

"Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."  --Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

Uncommon valor yes. Best I recall there were about 800 "docs" killed at Iwo Jima.

""Corpsmen carried more than fifty pounds of medical supplies, including bandages, surgical instruments, sulfa, brandy and morphine. My corpsman also carried a rifle. He immediately started administering morphine and treating my wounds. My right eye was blown out of the socket and lying on my cheek until the corpsman put it back in place....The most extensive injuries were to my right side. As the corpsman rendered aid, a Japanese soldier popped out of the tunnel and prepared to lob a grenade at us. Ever on the alert to his surroundings, the corpsman fired at the enemy. As best I could, I muttered, "Kill him! Kill him!" The corpsman emptied his carbine into him and the soldier crumpled to the ground. He had saved my life twice. Unfortunately, I would learn later, the corpsman himself did not survive Iwo Jima."

Indestructible by Jacklyn Lucas

I had the honor a number of years ago of meeting an old Marine who had not only survived Iwo Lima, but Okinawa too. He spent about an hour telling me the story of him and a couple of pals going AWOL after the battle of Okinawa, they knew that the invasion of Japan was coming soon and had no doubt they were dead men, so as he said "we threw one hell of a drunk! Hell what could they do to us? They finally came back to duty just as word came down of the surrender of Japan, he said "God Bless Harry Truman, he saved all our asses".

Hope all's well with you Doc. 

It was one of those situations where you don't have time to care about fear.  You just go and do...  It's a good day to live, and it's a good day to die.