Category: World War II

I have had the privilege and honor of visiting many of our WW2 Marine battlefields over the years and this past January, I visited Peleliu for the second time. With almost a full week of exploration, I was able to traverse much of the battlefield and get a feel for the terrain that our Marines dealt with in 1944. While the jungle has taken over much of the battlefield, one can still readily see how impossible the terrain was……craggy, sharp coral dominates the battlefield, whether it be low-lying coral ridges or the Umobrogal Mountains. I can't imagine fighting there, especially considering that in September 1944, there was very little foliage and the temperatures hovered around 100 degrees. We explored Bloody Nose Ridge, Pope's Ridge, the Point, and the coral Badlands, just to name a few. Signs of a desperate, horrific fight were everywhere. A Japanese tank still sits on the airfield where it was taken out by the 5th Marines…LTV's can be found…….shrapnel and battlefield debris are everywhere. We climbed and crawled through Bloody Nose Ridge, stopping at each fighting position, marveling at how the 1st Division Marines conquered a dug in enemy. While Iwo Jima and Tarawa hold much of our attention in Marine Corps history, Peleliu is arguably the toughest battle our Marines fought in WW2, when you consider the ferocity of the enemy, the climate, and the terrain. read more

I have attached a picture from our Armed Forces/Memorial Day Parade. The Grand Marshall was Les Brown, a WWII Pacific Guadalcanal Combat vet. The Marine Corps Recruiters picked him up and drove him in the Parade in the new Hummer. PFC Brown is wearing his uniform from 1944. He is one of the few that could still fit in his uniform. The Marines from the Albany Detachment were impressed and the CO and Sgt. Major came to greet him. read more

Sgt Grit,

Thanks so much for the little piece of real estate so many gave their lives securing. That little bag is pinned to the photo of the Rosenthal picture in my office. I now have a conflict. After reading the letters of some of the 399 other recipients, I feel unworthy of owning this little bit of sacred soil. I served from 84 to 97 and was in three hot spots during my career. None of which compares to the fight for Iwo Jima. I am the Commandant of the Lehigh Valley Det in Allentown, PA. I?ve gone through the roster of members and none served on IWO. So my dilemma is whom to do I present this artifact too? The letter that struck me was of the Marine who will spread some on the grave of his uncle. What a fitting tribute. I feel lucky to be one of the 400 and am grateful. I hope to find a deserving Marine in the future. Thanks again and Semper Fi! read more

Sgt Grit,

I just wanted to show you what I did with the Iwo Jima sand I recieved. My husband won the sand from your contest, then gave it to me for my birthday, he's such a romantic *big smile*. So being a proud Marine and diehard scrapbooker I did this with the sand. Naturally the sand is in the container with a picture of the flag raising behind it. read more

Sgt: Grit:

The attached photo is of one of my treasures on my "I Like Me Wall" and was given to me by my Supply Section as a going away present. It is front and center and right below the Marine Corps Seal, the place of honor. As this is most likely the most revered photo of the Marine Corps it is only fitting that it be so placed – between my Retirement Certificate and my Awards display. This has the Photo, the .03 cent stamp of the same picture, and a small bag of sand from Iwo Jima (retrieved by a friend on the visit to the island and matted by his wife in the frame).
v Every Marine who has seen this has wanted one but unfortunately there are no more like this one. I can't provide more but can share the photo. read more

Sgt Grit:
I am looking at 2 small bottles of Iwo sand. I received these from my friend and Iwo veteran Alvin Dunlap. The first one is very coarse and very black. He said he had brought it home when he left Iwo in 1945, and he said that's the way I remember it. The second bottle was given to him from some friends Who made a visit to Iwo in 1996 and from Red Beach. It is much more of a brownish color. Perhaps that is what they mean when they say "time heals everything". I will attach a picture of Alvin as it appeared in the March 1945 issue of Yank Magazine. The same photo was used in the Marines "Guidebook for Marines" about 194,7 as the face sheet for chapter 3. He also has appeared in several videos. read more