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United States Marines

Facts About Iwo Jima, One of the Most Famous Battles of World War II

February 27, 2015 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Ever since my sons became Marines I have been interested in my family’s military history and wonder where my Dad would of been on significant dates like Iwo Jima. February 19, 1945 the landing at Iwo Jima and he was assigned to the Destroyer the USS Edison DD439. I can’t find record of where exactly on this date his ship was, but I do know my Dad was only twenty years old.

According to records I found on Ancestry.com, my father was AOL (absent over liberty) more than once. Once in July of 1945 after liberty in San Diego. I can’t even imagine being twenty years old and loading guns on the deck of a destroyer, seeing men die on your ship, rescuing prisoners from an enemy sub off of Italy and keeping your sanity. Maybe that’s why he took extra time when he was on liberty leave, he didn’t want to go back.

My Dad rarely talked about World War II, and most of the men who fought on that hell hole of an island, filled with Japanese hiding in caves and tunnels, didn’t want to talk about it either. Many young men just like my Dad landed on February 19, 1945, many didn’t return, many saw things they would rather forget, but carried with them all their lives.

Books and Movies About Iwo Jima

By far the best book on Iwo Jima is James Bradleys, Flags of our Fathers is on the USMC Commandants reading list for Iintermeidiate level enlisted personal: INTERMEDIATE  GYSGT, MSGT, and 1STSGT. I think its a book everyone should read to appreciate what the sacrifices our military makes not only during war, but when they return.

Flags of Our FathersIwo Jima: 50 Years of Memories

Facts about Iwo Jima

Dozens, if not hundreds of books and movies have been written about this famous battle that turned history, but below are just a few facts.

  1. The island of Iwo Jima is 4.5 miles long by 2.5 miles wide and lies 650 miles south of mainland Toykyo.23
  2. The island was a strategic airfield position for the Japanese who intercepted US flying missions to Tokyo. Once taken the United States could then invade Japan and thus end the war.² ³
  3. The Battle of Iwo Jima lasted for 36 days starting on February 19th and ending on March 16, 1945.
  4. One third of all Medal of Honor award for World War II were given for gallant action in Iwo JIm, a total of 23 out of 82 given to Marines during the war.¹
  5. Iwo Jima was the costliest battle in the history of the Marine Corps, One in ten Marines lost their lives on the tiny island. 70,000 Marines fought on the island and 7,000 lost their lives ³
  6. Out of the 21,000 Japanese troops only 1,083 survived, the remainder were either killed or committed suicide.²
  7. Two Japanese soldiers didn’t surrender until 1949, they dug into tunnels and caves to avoid detection for over four years.¹
  8. Major General Howard Connor gives the Navajo code talkers, who relayed messages in their tribal tongue, for the success of the Marines taking Iwo Jima.¹
  9. Mount Suribachi, the highest point on the island at 528 ft in elevation
  10. Mt Suribachi was taken on February 23rd on the third day of fighting and is the site of the the famous flag raising.
  11. After the battle the island served as an emergency landing strip for more than 2,00 B-29 bombers thus saving more than 24,000 airman.¹
  12. The United States returned the island to Japan as a gift in 1968.¹

Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial Card

The question is often asked and disputed by many, was the iconic flag raising staged. The answer quite simply is no. Yes there were two flag raisings, the first was a smaller flag which was celebrated and cheered. However the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal wanted the flag as a souvenir and thought the official flag should be larger.

Joe Rosenthal, an AP reporter, missed the first flag raising as he was shooting photographs of the harbor. He actually didn’t see the photo before it was sent in and published in the papers. When he was told it was all over the front pages he asked “Which one, the posed one?” for he had also taken another photo with the same flag with all the men standing and raising their arms.

The actual US Flag flown at Iwo Jima displayed at the National Marine Corps Museum
The actual US Flag flown at Iwo Jima displayed at the National Marine Corps Museum

I was lucky enough to view the actual flag in the Rosenthal photograph at the Marine Corps museum in Virginia with my youngest Marine son.If you ever have the chance to visit the museum it is very much worth your time.

One of the most popular exhibits is the Iwo Jima area, and the most popular person is Frank Matthews (24th Marines, 4th Marine Division – Iwo Jima) a volunteer docent at the museum who was 18 years old when he fought on that island in the middle of the Pacific. Frank was not at the museum when we visited that weekend and I wish he was, I would of loved to meet him and shook his hand.

On this 70th anniversary of Iwo Jima let’s remind people that is was the military who deserves the recognition for keeping our country free and safe. World War II was the first time American soil was attacked at Pearl Harbor and if it hadn’t been for our brave men and women in uniform fighting in foxholes, ditches, and in muck and grime American history would have been a lot different.

To all the veterans the world owes you a lot of thanks.

References

  1. The Battle of Iwo Jima: 5 Things You Didn’t Know, Ross Bonander
  2. The Battle for Iwo Jima, The National WWII Museum
  3. Was the Flag Raising at Iwo Jima Staged, Skeptical Humanities blog

Filed Under: Marine Corps Tagged With: history, Iwo Jima, military, United States Marines, US Marines, USMC, veterans, war, World War II, WWII

Visiting the United States Marine Corps National Museum

October 2, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Recently I had the honor and privilege of visiting the National Marine Corps Museum with one of my Marine sons and it was amazing! As another Marine who was visiting said excitingly “This place is like Mecca to a Marine” and I would have to agree. It puts the Smithsonian museums to shame. The museum is located in Quantico Virginia and opened in 2005, so the exhibits are very modern, interactive and engaging.

Information about the USMC Museum

National Museum : Marine Corps
Entry to the Marine Corps Museum

The Marine Corps museum is located 30 miles south of Washington DC and the silhouette of the building is easily seen from I-95 which invokes images of the flag raising on Iwo Jima.

Admission cost is free. Yes, free, free parking and free admission. There are a few donation boxes and I would bet just about everyone puts a few dollars in the box. The official National Marine Corps Museum website is just as engaging as the museum and as it guides you to each area with the same narration. But nothing will prepare you for the full immersion.

I’m only going to give a brief overview here and will go into more depth in future articles. We spent two days at the museum and they had to push us out at the end. If you plan on visiting and you have a Marine or two with you, wear good shoes, plan on standing a lot and plan on reading and learning more than you ever expected about United States history, military history, and world history.

Marine Corps Museum Exhibits and History

As you enter the museum you are all at once overwhelmed by the feeling of space, air, and majesty of the Corps. Planes hang overhead, helicopters with Marines piling out are beside you on one side and a tank on the other.

As you look up you read the inspiring quotes of leaders, presidents, and generals:

“I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world”

General Douglas McArthur, Army

Main Gallery of the Marine Corps Museum
Main Gallery of the Marine Museum

From the terrazzo gallery, you enter into the rest of the Museum in a logical order starting with Making Marines where you can get up close and personal with your own “Drill Instructor” experience. (more on this later)

National Marine Corps Museum: Receiving and haircuts at boot camp
Receiving and haircuts at boot camp

The rest of the museum starts at Tun Tavern, the birthplace of the Marines and their involvement in the Revolutionary War. Throughout the six historical galleries I learned where famous phrases such as “the shores of Tripoli” originated.

United States Marine Corps National Museum: The actual flag flown on Mt. Sarabaci on Iwo Jima
The actual flag flown on Mt. Sarabaci on Iwo Jima

My son soaked all of this history in, he read every placard, and for me it made me slow down (I can be slightly ADD, those who know me will smile at that statement) and absorb what I was reading. I learned history repeats itself, throughout the history of the world there have been terrorists (pirates) who attack without rationale and kill innocent people without reason.

Terrorists Have Terrorized the World for Centuries, It’s Not New

I learned we have had embassies in Libya as early as 1805 and Marines joined a coalition to rescue American and Europeans during the Christian persecution during the Boxer Rebellion in China. In many ways, we have the same political issues, just in different areas of the world.

There will always be pirates, rebels, and terrorists who want to terrorize, oppress and kill people just because they do not agree with their religion. There will be dictators and governments who want to dominate and control their citizens. But there are countries around the world who believe in freedom, who will fight to keep their citizens free and protect those who are being oppressed.

The Marines have played a critical role in keeping “bullies” from taking over and as you walk through the galleries you take pride in not only the United States military, but the resolve of the citizens supporting them at home. I learned very little about World War I in school, or maybe I just forgot most of it, but as you walk into the sights and sounds of Belleau Wood you can’t help but start to realize the enormity of battle, the loss of life, and the true horror of war.

Mini Iwo Jima Statue honoring the United States Marine Corps.

Marine Corps Museum, Quantico Virginia: A Marine Mom and her son tour the USMC togetherAs you walk through each historical exhibit they get more and more engaging from the cold of Chosin Pass to the heat and chopper sounds of Vietnam. It is a truly an experience. Throughout our visit we encountered Marines of every age, and veterans of many wars. I witnessed exchanges between my son and these veterans which warmed my heart and made this Mom smile with pride. The respect and honor is very apparent and I feel privileged I got to experience this with my son.

Marine Corps Museum:Past and Present

The last gallery ends with Vietnam in 1972, but 2015 begins the start of another 110,000 sq feet of exhibit space which will finish out the museum in 2020. It will start in the 1970s and expand to Operation Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

After experiencing the intensity of conflict and war you can walk on the paths that take you through a 135 acre Marine Corps Heritage Center campus, through Memorial Park, beside the chapel, and which will eventually include parade grounds a conference center and a hotel.

Memorial Walkway at the US Marine Museum
Memorial Walkway at the US Marine Museum

The Story of the United States Marine Heritage Center Is…

  • To record our contributions to the nation
  • To tell our story
  • To preserve our artifacts and icons
  • To give back to the Corps

If you are ever in the Washington DC area, take a day and head south on I-95, even if you don’t have any connection to the Marine Corps. It is an experience for anybody and we saw veterans, school groups, women, children (there is a childrens section), and people from various countries.

I would love to hear from anyone who has visited the National Marine Corps Museum and learning about your favorite section and why. Please leave a comment below and until “Part Two”,  Semper Fi!

Leathernecks: An Illustrated History of the United States Marine CorpsGreatest U.S. Marine Corps Stories Ever Told: Unforgettable Stories Of Courage, Honor, And SacrificeMarines: An Illustrated History: The United States Marine Corps from 1775 to the 21st Century (Illustrated History (Zenith Press))Another P.O.G. Story: Memoir of A Marine Motor-Transport Reservist During Operation Iraqi Freedom

 

 

Filed Under: Marine Corps, Travel Adventures Tagged With: american history, family, marine corps museum, marines, military, military history, national marine corps museum, quantico, tourist sites, travel, traveling, United States Marines, USMC, Vacation, virginia

Return to Rolled Sleeves For the Marine Corps

March 9, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Today, March 9th, 2014 the Marine Corps returned to rolled sleeves after a several year hiatus.

You may not think rolling your long sleeves up to become a short-sleeved shirt is big deal, but to the grunts, POGs, leathernecks and Devil Dogs of the USMC it’s a tradition, sets them apart, and it IS a big deal.

On October 18, 2011 the Marine Corps announced Marines would wear sleeves down all year round when not in a combat zone. In an online poll 90% did not like the change. Commandant General James F. Amos listened to his Marines (ok, they want more important things, but hey you take what you can get) and gave them back what they were wanting. Rolled sleeves. On February 25th, 2014 he announced sleeves would return to rolled up status the word went viral across the internet. Even my sons took notice, can you tell who is no longer active duty?

Marine Corps returns to rolled sleeves

 

My oldest Marine EAS’ed as of January and lives in Chicago, he had to live with sleeves down in the heat of Yuma Arizona for several years, my youngest Marine son went through Marine boot camp learning to roll sleeves, but didn’t get to stick with the tradition very long before the rule changed. I’ll bet last week he was brushing up on his sleeve rolling skills.

On March 9, 2014 the United States Marine Corps is returning to rolled sleeves after more than a two year hiatus for their summer uniform of desert digital camo.

 

For those Marines who have never rolled sleeves below is the official video from the United States Marine Corps on how to achieve fitted rolled sleeves on the desert blouse. Properly rolled sleeves should lay flush against the arms, look neat and professional without a lot of bulk. Can you believe it was the Marine Corps who taught my son to properly iron?

However, if a Marine has arms of a weightlifter, or “guns” that make the girls blush there is a trick to not cutting off your circulation. It’s called the “cut and stitch” method of rolled sleeves and many drill instructors use this uniform tactic without anyone knowing. My oldest Marine learned this tip in boot camp and when the sleeves down rule went into effect he had several blouses which were no longer usable.

The Marine Corps is the only branch of the military who rolls their sleeves as part of the official uniform.

Learn About Marine Corps Traditions

Backbone: History, Traditions, and Leadership Lessons of MarineOne of Us: Officers of Marines–Their Training, Traditions,Marine Corps Lore: US Marine Corps Customs, Traditions,Encyclopedia of the U. S. Marines

Read What the Rest of the Marines Are Saying About Rolled Sleeves

Sun’s out, guns out: Rolled sleeves to make return with Marines

SAN DIEGO — Good news, Marines and fans of Marine biceps (ahem): Rolled sleeves are coming back. Commandant Gen. James Amos and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal Barrett announced Tuesday via Facebook that the Corps is bringing back …

Marines greet new sleeves-up order with cheers, confusion

Posted on the Marine Corps’ official social media platforms, the announcement that rolled sleeves were back went viral, shared more than 20,000 times on Facebook by Marines who missed the look. They are nearly equaled in number, however, by those who …

Amos: My wife was all over me about sleeves down

Marine noncommissioned officers weren’t the only ones complaining after the Marine Corps banned rolled sleeves on camouflage utilities in 2011. Gen. Jim Amos’ wife, Bonnie, also opposed the change. The commandant himself made the startling admission …

Filed Under: Marine Corps Tagged With: Marine Corps, marines, military, Military uniform, news, rolled sleeves, United States Marines, USMC

The Title Marine is Earned During Boot Camp and the Crucible

January 29, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com




The Marine Corps Crucible

The title U.S. Marine is not given, it is earned. A young boy or girl, upon entry into Marine boot camp at MCRD, is called a recruit, not a Marine. Thus the name Marine Corps Recruit Depot. They must earn the title during 13 weeks of rigorous training during boot camp. It is not until the completion of the Crucible the recruits are finally called Marines.

Marien Corps Recruit training ends with the Crucible

The Crucible is the last test of Marine recruit training and held during Phase Three of training. It is 54-hour test over 45 miles of marching teamwork and leadership. It epitomizes endurance, a brotherhood, and a no man left behind mentality among the warrior.

USMC Keepsake Box - Made a Difference - Ronald Reagan Marine Corps Quote Keepsake Box - Boot camp graduation giftUSMC Keepsake Box – Made a Difference – Ronald Reagan Marine Corps Quote Keepsake Box – Boot camp graduation giftUnited States Marine Corps Crucible Candle for the final boot camp challenge.United States Marine Corps Crucible Candle for the final boot camp challenge.Marine Corps Christmas Ornament | Military Christmas Ornament | Boot Camp Graduation Gift | Retirement Gift | Keepsake Ornament | Military GiftMarine Corps Christmas Ornament | Military Christmas Ornament | Boot Camp Graduation Gift | Retirement Gift | Keepsake Ornament | Military Gift

Recruits use problem-solving skills to maneuver and accomplish tasks at challenging stations which replicate real-world situations, named after famous Marines and battles. They survive on only a few hours of sleep during the Crucible, eating a few MRE’s to sustain themselves and if lucky they get tossed an apple or orange, which they devour.

If you would like to try an authentic MRE meal and get an idea of what the military eats in the field you can actually buy them for yourself. Your Marine may think your nuts, ok I guarantee it, but I know younger brothers and sisters of Marines would get a kick out of eating like their big brother on deployment.

Boot Camp: The Making of a United States MarineBoot Camp: The Making of a United States MarineMarine Boot- by Daniel Da Cruz a Drill InstructorMarine Boot- by Daniel Da Cruz a Drill InstructorTHE YELLOW FOOTPRINTS TO HELL AND BACK: The starting point for every Marine: a drill instructors' story of life in Marine Corps boot camp during the Vietnam War.THE YELLOW FOOTPRINTS TO HELL AND BACK: The starting point for every Marine: a drill instructors’ story of life in Marine Corps boot camp during the Vietnam War.

At the end is the last 12-mile march ending with “The Reaper*”, a hill so intimidating it is a legend among Marines. Up they hike, with 60 lb packs, trying not to be last in line and helping their buddies along the way who falter. It’s a right of passage to climb the top, onto the parade deck, see the flags waving, music playing and to have placed in your hand, the Eagle, Globe and Anchor which indicates they have finally earned the right to be called a United States Marine.

*The Reaper a hill unique to the San Diego MCRD boot camp experience

Related Marine Recruit Training Articles

  • What to Give Your New Marine at Graduation
  • I Am a Marine Mom
  • Marine Corps Graduation

If you have experience as a Marine Corps recruit I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or follow me on Twitter by clicking on the right. Thank you for visiting and Semper Fi!

Filed Under: Family, Marine Corps, Military Pride Tagged With: boot camp, crucible, marine corps crucible, marine corps recruit, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, marine training, marines, mcrd, military, military training, United States Marine Corps, United States Marines, us marine, USMC, usmc recruit training

Remembering Veterans Day

November 11, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

It is time to pay respect and honor to our county’s military veterans. Yesterday was the Marine Corps birthday and today is officially Veterans Day.

Thank You Veterans Plaque
Thank You Veterans Plaque
by MilitaryHonor

I have three sons who are veterans, although one is still an active duty Marine. They learned to always have your buddy’s back. Never leave someone behind and respect authority. You can question, but you still must carry out your duty and responsibility.

Honoring our veterans

My Dad served on a destroyer in WWII and was also a Korean wartime veteran. I never heard of his experiences. Never knew what he did, never knew what it meant until I found his military records. Back then the term was shell shocked.

WWII Naval Veteran who served on two destroyers

Now we know this as PTSD. Post-traumatic stress syndrome. I don’t know if he had nightmares, but I know he “checked out” in many ways. He got silent, would shut down during stressful times.

Since then I have gotten to know many veterans and seen some “hit the ground” when a metal folding chair falls to the floor at a school function. Serving in wartime affects you the rest of your life. It shapes you in more ways than you can count.

May we never forget to honor those veterans who have served in all branches of our military: The Army, Navy, Air Force, and the United States Marines.

WWII Memorial Ornament
WWII Memorial Ornament
by MilitaryHonor

Don’t just remember our veterans on the national holidays like Memorial Day or Veterans Day, but remember and thank them every day.  

Next time you hear of conflict in another country, every time you see an American flag, and every time you hear on the news that another soldier died, remember the veterans.

Remember they defend our freedom of speech, our way of life, and liberty of the United States of America.

Remember them every day, not just on Veterans Day

In addition to my three sons, currently in the Marine Corps, this day and weekend I also remember my “Daddy”.

I wish I had asked more questions, I wish I had listened when you started to tell me the stories, but alas I was a child and only thought of childish things.

I wish I had more time with you, and I wish you had lived to see your grandchildren grow up.  You would be proud of them. I miss you now more than ever. I finally learned your military history and wish you were here to tell me more.

Private Leo Tyrrell, 82nd Airborne
Private Leo Tyrrell, 82nd Airborne (1952?)

Filed Under: Family, Military Pride Tagged With: graphic design, history, Holiday, Marine Corps, memorial, memorial day, military, United States Marine, United States Marines, veteran, veterans day, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II

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