Sgt Grit's World War II BS Page

1945 Marine Corps Uniforms

Sgt Grit

My name is Gary Arney I have pictures from Bougainville, Guadalcanal, Guam, Iwo Jima, Kwajalein, Okinawa & Saipan. Places where my Dad, Phil Arney, landed and fought in WWII.

Semper Fi
Gary

1945 Marine Corps Uniforms

The uniforms are all from the 1945 era. I couldn't find anything specific about "Dress Blues" in that era except picture 4 (right). That Marine has the "Dress Blues" on but I can't see clearly the differences between that uniform and the current one.
So if you could show them these pictures and just ask them their opinion, I would be much appreciative.
Travis Wishon

Saipan Invasion and Vella Lavella

Here are some Photos from the Saipan invasion. They are from the: 121st NCB - 3rd BN, 20th Marines, 4th Marine Division photo albumn.(left)

Vella Lavella - August, 1943. Seabees and a Company of Motor Transport Marines landed on an August morning and were greeted almost immediately by a Japanese air attack. One of the LST's they arrived on took a direct hit. Other Photos are some of Pappy Boyington's gang on Vella Lavella.(right)

Best Regards,
John Ratomski

WWII USMC Photos

Here are 2 of the pictures. The one of the platoon I do have the names of the individuals, they are: Front: Burt Eddings, F. Thorpe, W. Raymond, L. M. Golden, Bobo Porter, H. A. Cushing, LT. McDonald, Don Stout, Fred DeSomme, Jerry Schwartz, Floyd Hileman, M. M. Silver, R. B Ziegler. BACK: Louie Hansen, L. R. McMahon, W. R. Ringrose, A. J. Zimmerman, H. L. Straha

My father was Frank Stevens, and I believe he was in communications. He didn't talk alot about his time in WW2, so between his children, we have been piecing it together. As soon as I get the rest of the Saipan photo's scanned, I would be more than glad to send them as well.

Thank You So Much and Good Luck
Karen Beach

"Old Corps" TBF on Guadalcanal

Sgt. Grit,
As the son of a WWII Marine Aviator and nephew of a Korean War Marine Tank Driver, I have always been fiercely proud of "the Corps" and my family's participation.

Recently my father dug out an old photo and asked if I could "repair" it on the computer. The picture is of my Dad's TBF torpedo bomber squadron on Guadalcanal in the early part of WWII when the outcome was no sure thing. I look at all those young heros and feel nothing but pride. As I look at pictures of today's Marines, the only thing that has changed is the technology. They are still a bunch of young (and not so young) heros doing what is needed to keep our country safe and our freedoms intact.

I myself never served in the 'Corps ( I was an Army ROTC puke) but I still swell with pride whenever I see a Marine.

Attached is the picture I was able to restore. By the way my Dad is the third in from the right, second row seated.
Mike Sticksel

Marine in Camp Gloucester, New Britain

Hi, Sgt.Grit, I'm the youngest son of Wilfred Magnan. He enlisted in the Marines on 11-15-41, which was 3 weeks before the Pearl Harbor Attack..he heard about it in boot camp in San Diego. He went to New Zealand & Australia, was in the amphibious landings at Cape Gloucester,New Britain on 12-26-43, Tahnamerah,Dutch New Guinea on 4-22-44, and Peleliu on 9-15-44. He survived fierce combat at Peleliu, and left there on 10-20-44. He was honorably discharged 11-28-45. Corporal Wilfred Magnan was in the 1st Marine Division, 1st Tank Battalion, Companies A & D. He was shell loader in Tank no.9. He also carried a backpack radio. He is still alive,and sharp; his wife of 60 years recently passed away. I've enclosed a pic, which shows my Dad sitting in the tank turret as the barrel is swabbed)

Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima

A nearly 60 year struggle to prove that Gerald D. Ziehme was in the "Gung Ho" photo by Joe Rosenthal on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima.
It has taken years, many attorneys, two photo identification experts, but finally Jerry (A corpsman on Iwo Jima) has been recognized as the 8th man from the left in the famous picture of l8 men gathered around the flag shortly after the famous candid picture that resulted in this monument was taken.

His face is in a shadow which made it difficult to see clearly. Expert forensic methods were used, and he was positively identified by Dr. James Ebert of Albuquerque, NM. and Mr. Kulush from Chicago.

He was mistaken, too, because of a confusion of similar names. There was a corpsman by the name of Jim R. Zima. Zima--Ziehme--they sound so similar. Jim Zima's daughter said the her father was not on Mt. Suribachi that day.

Jerry is 82 years of age; he is legally blind, and his kidneys are shutting down. We are so grateful that he finally got the recognition he deserves! He went through Hell as anyone who served on Iwo Jima did. Those who survived and those who didn't should NEVER be forgotten!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Gerald Ziehme

Purple Heart Recipient from GA

The Medal of Honor Society paid for one WW2 vet from each state to go Washington, DC for the purple heart memorial unveiling at the end of march.

I'm a Viet era Marine... and I am proud that my dad, Charles G. Moore, was picked to represent Georgia.

Semper Fi!
Mike

Great Iwo Jima Power Point Presentation

From a Marine on the USS Blue Ridge during a recent WestPac pump. This morning the Marines onboard the USS Blue Ridge had an opportunity to get a helo ride around Iwo Jima. One of the Marine officers was smart enough to take his digital camera with him. I have taken the best photos and put them into the attached power point show (I'm becoming a better staff officer). September marks my 17th anniversary in the Marine Corps and this was the best experiences I have had to date.

For those of you who have been living on another planet, the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi is one of the best known photographs ever taken and is the basis for the Marine Corps Memorial in Washington D.C. It took over three weeks to secure the island. Before the island was secure, bombers returning from attacks on mainland Japan were already using the island. Other facts of Iwo Jima are:

(A) 110,000 Marines were involved.
(B) 880 Navy ships participated (that is almost three times the size of the current US Navy.
(C) 24 Medals of Honor were presented to Marines/Sailors...more than any single battle in US history.

For the Marines who receive this, take the opportunity to save the pictures ...what a great PME supplement.
Iwo Jima Power Point

David Christensen

First Iwo Jima Flag Raising

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