Raising the American Flag Sixty Years Ago
The author wants Americans to remember the 60th anniversary of Iwo Jima.
(PRWEB) February 23, 2005 -- On the afternoon of February 23, 1945, Joe
Rosenthal photographed the second raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi
on Iwo Jima. A smaller American flag had been raised earlier in the
morning.
The Fifth Marine Amphibious Corps invaded the island on February
19, 1945. Approximately 60,000 Americans and 20,000 Japanese participated in the
Battle. In the end, 6,821 Americans were killed and 19,217 were
wounded.
While the Marines were fighting on the island, in the ocean,
ships were being hit by the kamikaze. Carlyle Harmer was on LST 477 when a bomb
hit its main deck, followed by a kamikaze hitting the side of the ship on
February 21, 1945. This caused a terrible fire but fortunately, the Navy sailors
and Marines on board were able to put the fire out and the ship was able to make
it to shore.
In the book, “Don’t Call Me Rosie,” Carlyle recalled:
“On
February 23rd, we steamed on the beaches at Hot Rocks, Iwo Jima at the foot of
Mt. Suribachi. We unloaded our cargo and men and supplies all the while we were
getting shelled from the island and it was landing all around us.
After
we unloaded our cargo tanks and men, we moved out to the middle of the bay and
anchored. I was watching the big fight on the island through a long glass and I
saw the flag being raised on Mt. Suribachi. It was the greatest thrill of my
life.”
It took over 30 more days to secure the island. Over the next 30
days, let us remember those who fought at Iwo Jima for our
freedom.
Kathleen Thomas is author of the book, “Don’t Call Me Rosie, the
Women who Welded the LSTs and the Men who Sailed on Them.”
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/2/prweb211694.htm