Iwo Jima books.

[Blackfork]

I read Flags of our Fathers and saw Eastwood's movie. Last week I picked up a copy of Iwo Jima, Portrait of a Battle, by Eric Hammel. 2006. It's full of unpublished photos from the USMC archives and National Archives plus maps and story. Lots of photos of Marines and M1 Carbines, Garands, BARs and flamethrowers in action.

Both of them worth the price. The Hammel book has even MORE photos taken during the flag raisings on Suribatchi. The Eastwood film runs the credits at the end with many photos, some of which I had never seen, including a terrific head-on photo of a USMC Corsair in flight.

Makes me want to learn a little more about Japanese rifles. There was one at the last Tyler gun show with the mum ground off but nobody knew anything about it. My neighbor brought home cases of rifles from the Pacific war but gradually gave them all away.

When I was a kid in elementary school I read Marine at War by Russell Davis who fought at Peleliu and Okinawa. I still have the crumbling paperback upstairs on the shelf.

Glad to see these stories told. Iwo anniversary in February.

 

[emmie]

Dad,was with 5th Marine Div. on Iwo. as a kid I was alway looking at his 5th
div,book. he told me it was given to all members of the 5th,and had history of it,from the form up to occupation in Japan.
in back of book was listing of all members of the 5th, their unit and if they were WIA or KIA. I think book was put out by the Corp,as I have seen other books about the other divisions. been trying to get it back from my brother for years.

emmie

 

[thumbody]

emmie
My father-inlaw also served in the 5th. He fought on Iwo and also served in the occupation. Sadly he died about 21 yrs ago from cancer (I believe many of those involved in the clean up from the bomb ended up with cancer).
He was one who rarely spoke of the war,but was proud to be a Marine.

 

[stormspotter]

Iwo Jima

A man at out church, Otis Thomas, was on Iwo and wrote a book called 'Come Walk With Me'. Don't know if it is available outside Missouri, but it is his actual experiences and has many photos also. Very good reading.

 

[Harve Curry]

I'm reading "Flags of Our Fathers" now, and today the History Channel had "Flag Raisers of Iwo Jima". What those men went through just tares me up and I never knew anyone that was there. After hearing and reading actual testimony of the veterans we shouldn't have given Iwo Jima back to them. The price was to high and they started it.

Other then that the film shows alot of firearms stuck in the beach sand, Thompson's, M1 Garands, M1 carbine w/ folding stock, 1917 Browning, plus the jap weapons.

 

[Tokugawa]

William Manchester was a Marine on Iwo. Wrote a good book about it to. the title escapes me. (Remember the day when our movie actors and authors had been combat soldiers?) Lee Marvin, Jimmy Stewart,etc?
Also a great read- Sledges book"With the Old Breed" Pelilu and Okinawa.

 

[PWK]

I'd recomend Richard Wheeler's book "IWO". He was a member of the company that raised the famous flag on Mt. Suribachi.

 

[longtooth]

Thank you gentlemen. My Dad was there too. He was signalman on the USS Lunga Point. CVE 94. He is gone now & i wear his insignia on my cap. That one & another that says Honor Our Vets are the only 2 caps I wear.
Thank you to any ll Vets that are still alive.
LT

 

[stormspotter]

Iwo Jima

Tokugawa's post reminded me about Lee Marvin saying the bravest man he knew was Bob Keeshan. Something about him standing out in the open and directing landings or supplies on Iwo. Can't remember exactly what was said but he said it on The Johnny Carson Show.

Who is Bob Keeshan? None other than Captian Kangaroo.

Maybe someone else will have more information on this.

 

[C96]

Lee Marvin was wounded in the battle for Saipan, Bob Keeshan never saw combat.

http://www.snopes.com/military/marvin.asp


allan

 

[stormspotter]

Iwo Jima

Thanks for setting the record straight for me.

 

[Ken_Fox87]

Iwo Jima Veterans

I have the privilege to know two veterans of Iwo and two veterans of the Marianas Campaign, one of which left a leg on Saipain. We are in the same Marine Corps League Detachment. All four Marines are outstanding men in our community.

I have read many books on the Iwo campaign and saw Flags of our Father's. I thought that Flags was the most honest movie that has come out of Hoolywood in a long time.

I am also going to see Letters From Iwo Jima, also directed by Eastwood, that will tell the story from the Japanese side.