Battle of Iwo Jima
 

It was interesting to read the stories in The Daily Sun of two Villagers who fought in The Battle of Iwo Jima. Today is the 67th anniversary of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. My dad's cousin, Franklin Runyon Sousley was one of the flag raisers. He was proud to be a Marine. Unfortunately he was killed by a sniper's bullet on March 21, 1945 just twenty-six days after the now famous picture was taken. He was 19 years old. I appreciate everyone who served there.

Thanks for the reminder. In John Bradley's book, "Flags of Our Fathers" he wrote about the heart breaking reaction of Franklin's Mom when she received the news of his being KIA.

Thank you veterans !

Yes, thanks. Veterans.

I volunteered at a Reno VFW Hospital for a year on so back in 1976-1977. They had veterans from the Spanish American War through Vietnam. Visiting with them, I got a good idea of what some of them had been through.

The Book
 

[QUOTE=FMF Doc;457505]Thanks for the reminder. In John Bradley's book, "Flags of Our Fathers" he wrote about the heart breaking reaction of Franklin's Mom when she received the news of his being KIA.[/QUOTE/]

You know, I really didn't care for "Flags of Our Fathers" in some regards. I thought that the background stories of several of the "raisers" were condescending and written to sensationalize for the sake of the book.

IMO, he likened Franklin's hometown and family to "The Beverly Hillbillies" before oil. The picture he used of Franklin's "homestead" was a picture of a falling-down pig house. In reality, they were tobacco farmers and while not wealthy, made a decent living. But Goldie Mitchell Sousley was a trooper.

He also needlessly included pictures of Ira Hayes behind bars. Okay, he got picked up and taken to the station by Barney Fife. :22yikes::22yikes:

Today I express my thanks to all veterans as well as remember those who served on Iowa Jima, especially my uncle Cprl. Joe S, USMC (picture below) who was KIA 2/21/45 on Iowa Jima. I was priviledged to be named after him when I was born two years after his death. Also, as the senior surviving relative I'm also proud to be in possession of his Purple Heart and Certificate which I'll chrish for the rest of my life.
http://www.800hightech.com/coupons-f...corps-icon.jpghttp://www.arsenalsa.com/sites/defau...px-USMC-E4.png

My father watched that flag being raised from the base of Mt. Suribachi as well as the first one before it that not many people know about. It was a smaller flag and the larger famous one was raised so it could be seen better. He was in a 'forward fire' position in a machine gun nest protecting the Colonel. He told lots of stories to me when I was young but I had to coax them out of him. He said he watched those Marines 'snake' up a trail until they got to the top to plant it. I have a Japanese flag he brought home from there.
Skyguy, what unit was your uncle in? Mine was in 13th Marines (or 28th?), 5th Division as I recall, but he was in other units as well.
Maybe they knew each other. Wouldn't that be something?
He was also on occupation duty at Hiroshima after the bomb was dropped. More great stories. Then came home, had me, joined the reserves for extra money and got called up and had to go back to Inchon, Korea for the Korean War.

My uncle was in the 24th Marines, 2nd Bn, Co F. Don't know what division. I think I have a book somewhere with photos of the Marines, but don't know what level of the structure it was. I'm not even sure if I kept it or gave it to my cousin before moving to someday give to his son, also named in part for our uncle. Anyway, judging by the massive number of photos in it, I would highly doubt that they knew each other. BTW, I know he was also in another battle in the Pacific before Iowa Jima, but can't remember at the moment which one it was. I think he got a silver star for that one but I've never seen it. One of my cousins might have it.

Skyguy, 2/24 is based out of Chicago and still active today. In WW II they were a part of the 4th Marine Division and I believe were in several campaigns being award several Presidential Unit Citations.

One of my younger friends in the Leathernecks MC served with them in Iraq.

Thanking ALL our veterans
 

...........

........A BIG Thank You to ALL our Veterans.
...............The wounded.....the KIA.....the MIA.....the returnees...
..........................AND their Families........................................

......................THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM.........................

...........I APPRECIATE all of your sacrifices.

...........Prayers and Hugs.

Thanks for the update. I've submitted it to iwojimahistory.com.