In early November of 1976, I was on a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, by way of Rio on my way to countries farther to the North in Africa. It was supposed to have been a 747, but the passengers found themselves shoe-horned into a 707. At Rio, many of our passengers deplaned, so instead of every seat being filled, more than 1/3rd were empty. We took off on the long flight across the South Atlantic. I was on the aisle seat… a gentleman in his late 60s had the window seat. I suddenly realized that he was looking at me… more to the point, at the small Eagle, Globe, and anchor pin on the collar of my suit jacket. I was going to say something when I noticed his lapel pin. It was small, round, and had tiny white stars on a field of sky blue. I blurted out, "Excuse me sir, but is your lapel pin for the Medal of Honor?"
He grinned and extended his hand. "Justice Chambers…"
I replied, "Not 'Jumpin' Joe Chambers?" I had read my first history of the Marine Corps when I was nine… and never stopped. He was pleased that this "youngster" (I was 27, but looked 18) would know who he was. Colonel Justice M. Chambers (known to his men in WWII as "Jumpin' Joe") had served with the 1st Raider Battalion on Guadalcanal where he earned both a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. Other combat awards awaited him on Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian… and especially Iwo Jima.
Commanding a battalion at Iwo on D-Day, his unit was at the hottest point and took very heavy casualties. His leadership (where leading by example was at a premium) and courage became a legend. His war ended when he was nearly cut in half by a Japanese machine gun. His wounds were so severe that he was retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of full colonel.
At first, awarded a Navy Cross, it was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. It was presented to him by President Harry S. Truman in 1950. Years after I met him, Colonel Chambers actions were the subject of a prize winning essay in a Naval professional journal: "One Battalion At Iwo…"
Colonel Chambers never stopped working… he was appointed by President Kennedy to a special advisory board… and now? He told me that he wason his way to Lesotho (a tiny country surrounded by South Africa). He was the American head of the Lesotho Sugar Board and was returning to break in his replacement… he was at last going to fully retire.
I was introduced to Colonel Chambers' wife… somewhat younger… a lady of intelligence and grace. She had three seats to herself behind us and was working on a project. Except for a brief nap, I spent the very long (and all too short) flight listening to Colonel Chambers talk of his experiences in WWII. He was afraid that he might be boring me… far from it.
When he talked about Iwo, he was especially impressed with the actions of the XO who served under him. Deaf in one ear from an earlier battlehe should not have even been in combat… yet there he was, walking along the top of the beach slope in full view of his men (and the enemy…) Nearly suicidal, but necessary to keep the men from being pinned down. Somehow he survived. Colonel Chambers never spoke of his own heroism.
Before we landed I asked the Colonel if he would do me the honor of giving me his autograph. As was only fitting, he placed it on the back of my Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps. (Image attached shows his photo, below his autograph…).
It was definitely a flight to remember.
James F. Owings
0311 1968-70