Sgt Grit's World War II BS Page (Vol III)

Wounded on the fifth day

Sgt Grit,

I've been reading the various articles concerning families of Marines and Marines that served on Iwo Jima. They have inspired me to write to you and share with you some stories of my father, Bill Leverence, who was the flamethrower for the Assault Squad, Co. F, 2nd Bn, 27th Marines, 5th MarDiv.
He was drafted in 1942 and went through boot camp at MCRD San Diego. He then went to Raider school and was with Carlson's Raiders in the 2nd Raider Bn. When the Raiders disbanded he went to the newly forming 5th Marine Division. He spent some time at Pendleton and then to Hawaii and Camp Tarawa for training. He was their assault squad's sole flamethrower. When the time came, they left for this mysterious secret island and he landed in the first wave on February 19th.

My father would rarely tell me stories of his time in the Marine Corps, until 50 years later when we attended the Iwo Jima 50th Reunion in Washington DC in 1995. At the reunion he was re- united with a number of his company and a few of the people from his squad. I finally began to learn more about the amazing things these men did. I found out he was in the assault squad for F-2-27 and was in the first wave to land. The members of his squad that were still remaining were the bazooka man, a rifle man and himself. They talked about their time and activities like it was yesterday, and what they did as though it was a day at the office. Adm. Halsey was exactly right when he spoke of the men in this battle, 'uncommon valor was a common virtue'. The stories they told and the things that happened were amazing. At this reunion my father also found out that his buddy during training didn't make it. He was killed in the battle. The emotions that were shown ranged from raw strength and honor that they did a job that had to be done to the tears of coming to grips with the job they had to do.

While we were in Washington, the attention and honor that were given to these men was very heart wrenching. At one occasion all of the attendees loaded buses to head to another part of the city. While we were traveling, they shut down the streets on our route. Instead of upsetting the populace of DC, the people got out of their cars, lined the roads - some cheered, others stood at attention and saluted. It was very difficult not to have tears come to our eyes.

On another occasion, we were going to the National Cathedral for the memorial service. We were walking in with Jack Lucas and a small boy saw the medal around his neck and asked his mother what that was. She said she didn't know and Jack answered that it was the Medal of Honor and said little else about it. The mother knew it was an important medal but wasn't sure what it meant. I stopped and knelt down to the boy and told him Jack's story and what he did and the importance of this honor. The boy looked at him with such awe and in perfect child like manner asked if it hurt and the mother began to cry. Jack thanked me for telling his story, shook my hand and we hugged.

Ever since that reunion I have been learning of many many other stories of the men that served at Iwo, what they did and how they felt. They are and were definitely a breed of people not to be matched anywhere. They set the bar for those of us that followed.

But, let me tell you a little more about my father and the photo I attached. I'm sure you've seen this photo before. As I indicated, he landed in the first wave. They landed on Red1 and went across the narrow portion of the island and across the airfields. That's a photo of my father. He was running across one of the airstrips and the way he told me about it was that their corpsman was this little guy that was always running back and forth taking care of wounded Marines. He always had a camera around his neck and shooting pictures whenever he could. This was one of his pictures. My dad didn't know the corpsman's name. He further related that the corpsman didn't make it; he was killed in the battle while helping a wounded Marine. Apparently, the defense department (or whatever it was called back then) got the camera and film and this picture is now a Department of Defense photo. This photo is also hanging in the national museum.

My father was wounded on the fifth day; he took shrapnel while trying to take a pill box. He was evac'd to Guam, then to Hawaii, then San Francisco, then to Bainbridge, Maryland and when he was healthy enough he was discharged in July of 1946. He promptly married his girlfriend and started making me.

My father went back to Iwo 59 years later and became part of the production for the History Channel of the program "Going Back" that was aired for the 60th anniversary of the battle. He lived his life mostly in silence with the pain of the memory. These recent activities helped him be more comfortable with what happened. He died recently. He always had this inner understanding and strength. Every one of the men I read about in your articles are heroes. What I've written to you is part of what makes my father my hero.

Thanks,
Bill Leverence USMC, Sgt,
1970-1973 T-Square

Iwo Jima

Sgt Grit,
In February of 2004 myself and 15 of my fellow Marines were selected, from 2/6 Wpns Co. 81's Plt. currently on deployment in Okinawa, to go on a six week training opp in the Philippines, we were joined by Fox Co. and all there to help the "new" helicopter pilots with live fire operations. All went well and we were sent back to Okinawa.

Being the only fully equipped Marine Co. with my Weapons Co. attachment close by we were asked to stop in at Iwo Jima and escort the Veterans around the island for the anniversary. That was the most powerful experience in my young life and will no doubt never be forgotten. I can't explain the feeling of being on the troop transport slowly climbing wave after wave inching towards the island. It would be unimaginable to do that under fire, the ramp slowly dropped and one truck drove off.... dropped strait to the axels in "the sands of Iwo Jima." Walking around the beach waiting to get the truck out I would sink up to my ankles in the sand... mind you I have no gear on, just cammies and a weapon. And to hear the stories of all the men who returned to the island that tried to take their lives... a very sobering experience, the details they remembered the colors and expressions on the faces of their opponents. every detail as if it were yesterday.

I was very lucky to get to meet so many heroes in one spot, there are fewer and fewer survivors able to make trips like that and I will never forget it. Today I have a small amount of the "Sand" in a bottle on my shelf, just to remind myself of the sacrifices made before me. Thank you one and all.

Michael A Weiss
Cpl USMC 2000-2004

Raymond Pursell

Sgt. Grit,
My dad, Raymond Pursell, was in the Pacific Theatre in WWII. His service time was 1943 to 1946. The group picture of his platoon says 380th Platoon, San Diego, 1943 (Boot Camp). From there he went to radio school and then on to Camp Pendleton where he joined the 2nd Separate Engineer's Battalion, and via the VAC- 5th Amphibious Corps, went to Iwo Jima in February of 1945. I am including a picture of him.

Proud daughter of a WWII vet

Okinawa 1945

080 Okinawa 1945, We always defused and then removed. Think those big cumbersome suits they use today would have helped if we had made a mistake. I'm not in the picture because I'm taking it.

079 Okinawa 1945, the one with the goggles is my classmate from Bomb Disposal School. 14" Naval shell.

078 Ie Shima (off Okinawa) 1945, Nothing changes, these are from a few days work. The bombsand mines were uses as IED's, the wooden boxes are suicide bombs. 60 odd years ago.

Charlie Bauman

Japanese General

A Japanese General's letter to his men toward the end of the Saipan campaign.

This is an original copy of the translation.

Semper Fi!
Lou Lowrie

Honoring a Marine Raider

Hello!

My name is Sandy Tuzinski and I just wanted to share a quilt I was able to make to honor a WWII USMC Marine Raider in our church congregation.
His name is Edmund Lawrence and he served in the Pacific Theater in WWII.
This presentation was a TOTAL surprise for Ed as he had no idea I was making this quilt for him and I was able to locate three Semper Fidelis US Marines to take time out of their busy lives to help present this flag quilt to Ed during the church service.

We all honored a great living American that day to thank him for his service to our country.
It was a BLESSED day!

Sandy Tuzinski
Bloomington, MN

Sands of Iwo Jima

To whom it may concern,

I went to Iwo Jima on a historical tour in March of 2005 and collected a bit of sand myself.

Ron Montgomery
Sgt/USMC 85-97

Sands of Iwo Jima

Sgt. Grit,

Just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to own a little bit of the sacred sand of Iwo Jima. It took me a little while to find how I wanted to present this peace of Marine Corps history but I finally figured it out. I have attached a picture and hope all will enjoy.

It will always be displayed proudly..........Semper Fi

Rick Anthony
CWO-4, USMC, Retired

I Am Looking

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.

I am also saddened by the recent loss of another Iwo Jima veteran Chuck Lindberg the last living survivor of the first flag raisers. I will miss my many phone visits with Chuck. For those who will say there are other living survivors of that event I could once again explain the difference between "Flag Raisers" and Flag Raising Participants". But I don't want to get involved in that controversy again.

Who I am--Vernon (Tom) Mc Nulty
Waterloo IA (home of the 5 Sullivan Brothers US Army 1945-1946 US Marine Corps 1947-1952 Still a Marine

There are not enough words to express my thanks for your dedication to my beloved Corps. When my budget allows I will continue to buy only items that Chesty would approve of.

Iwo Jima Sand

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.

Semper Fidelis,
Jim McDonald
CWO4 USMCR RETIRED
1958 - 1966 & 1975 - 1998
Newark, CA

Iwo Jima Sand

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.

Semper Fi,
Anna Grabill

Iwo Jima Sand

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!

Howard Cooper
Commandant Lehigh Valley Detachment #296
Department of PA, Marine Corps League

Old Meets New

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.

We take care of our own and we don't forget them either. Notice in WWII, We only had Chevrons on one side of the uniform

Greg Bourlotos
--
ADJUTANT American Legion Fred L. Stilson Post 57

WWII USMC Hero

My Grandfather just recently passed away, he was "My-Hero", and I miss him so much. Thought maybe you'd care to share this with other Marines.

Kathi Salinas
Proud-Granddaughter of a USMC-HERO"
Semper-Fi

Pelelui Revisited

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.

I am including a picture I took from the Point area on White Beach. This shows the view that the Japanese had as they took aim at our Marines landing. It is easy to see how they could inflict such heavy casualties and why taking that position and the heavy machine gun positions behind it were so key to victory. I am looking to talk to any Peleliu veterans so please contact me at my email address below if interested.

Semper fi,

Bruce Carter
4th Division, 14th Marines
USMCR '72-'77
bcarter436@aol.com

Peleliu Pictures

302nd Seabees Peleliu Photo

Submitted by John Ratomski
Photograph caption reads: "Veteran 1st Marine Division men leave island with Jap garrison flag."
Peleliu was invaded on September 15, 1944. Pontoons were under the direction of Lieut.-Comdr. Littlejohn. Peleliu had been Jap-held for twenty years and it was the nearest strike, at the time, to the Philippines, some six hundred miles to the west. The reef was five hundred yards off-shore and entailed the longest causeway construction from ship to shore up to that time in the Pacific. The reef was in perfect Jap mortar range and they kept it well covered. Barges stood in close to refuel small craft and LVT's as the Marines kept driving further inland to stop the mortar fire. Surf delayed unloading operations as heavy seas broke over the causeways. A few days later, a new landing was made on the other side of the island. Tanks and guns came ashore and the Marines were fighting steadily on against the stubborn defender who was doomed.

Okinawa Paradrop Run

Marine R4Q Packet (Flying Boxcar) on way to dropzone on Okinawa in Nov., 1958

Peleliu Island

Dear Sgt. Grit,

My stepson Graduated from MCRD San Diego in May of this year, and from S.O.I. last month. He is now in VA training for FAST.

Returning to San Diego brought back a lot of memories for me since the last time I was there, I WAS THERE! I can't even describe how I felt when they called for anyone who had served in the Marines to stand and everyone clapped. I felt honored just to be standing among them and to be counted as one of them.

Recently, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary at a music festival. She made a trip out to car for a jacket and came back with a piece of paper in her hand. On one side, there was printed instructions and rules for use of the parking lot during the festival, no alchohol, no overnight parking, etc. On the other side was a handwritten note. It said, "Thank you and your son for your service, from another Marine mom."

Obviously, we have no idea who left the note but I just wanted to share it with you and your readers and the MOM who wrote it is one of your readers, Thank You!

I'm also including a picture that I took when I was in Echo 2/3. The ship in the background is the USS Peleliu taken from Peleliu Island.

Thanks,
Kevin P. Walsh (0311)

Mary Graham Knapp

Mary Graham Knapp, born 15 December 1918, gone to guard heaven's gates 29 march 2006. Mary served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII and was a past president of the Women marines Association. Mary was buried on Davis Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas, Nevada, with two former active duty female Marines and four active duty male Marines acting as her pallbearers. Rest in peace, dear sister.

Plt. 1110, 1942

Sgt. Grit.

I was dragged along with my wife to the antiques fair (junk sale) at the old Alameda Naval Air Station in SF Bay. Bored out of my gourd, I took leave of my wife and started wandering around. Lo and Behold at one stand was this picture of Platoon 1110 from 1942 sitttin' among a bunch of junk.

Having served in the Marine Reserves for six years, two of those at Alameda NAS, I couldn't let that old Marine photo go. I offered the guy five bucks and he took it.

As I left with a piece of history I took a closer look at the cover that it came in. On the back were 22 names of the guys from the photos. Looking at the photo, the names, and the year of their graduation, I couldn't help but wonder how many of them survived the next three years and how many heros were made from that platoon.

I'd be interested if any of the Marines are still around from this photo. If anyone knows anybody in the photo I can be contacted through my email: matthew_mcdonell@hotmail.com.

Thanks and Semper Fi
Matt McDonell
Comm Plt., MWSS-472 (Det. Bravo),MAG 42 and MAG 46. 1990-92 Comm Plt., Hq Co., 23rd Marines. 1992-1996

Here's the list of the names from the back:
Eldrige Bailey, Don Dotson, Harley Fiacue, William Gomes, Bunn Slator, Chuck Barr, Eugene Blome, ,Ralph Hauser, Tracie Bell Jr., Carl Watts, Roland Renaud, Robert Zane, Palmer Mundahl, Jesse Bradley, Jose Aguilar, Jim Dunleavey, G. Bullard, James Baldwin, Jerry Wenger, M. Spiers, Wallace Sibley, Gary DeHoet

Marine Corps League

I echo the comments of James "Chino" Meade in your last letter about the Marine Corps League. The League carries on the traditions and values of the Corps. For example members of our local Detachment participated in nearly 190 funeral honor guards and over 50 civic events this last year. Its not about the numbers but rather the opportunity to display the colors, traditions and values that have been handed down to us.

On a cold, windy Saturday here in the Northeast our honor guard formed once again to administer honors to a fellow veteran who passed away. Afterward we were invited to join the family, friends and parishioners of the deceased. After a prayer the officiating priest made it a point to introduce and thank the "Marines" of the honor guard. That's what it is about...the most recognizable uniform, the most envied esprit de corps, and traditions and values that everyone should aspire to. They have been passed on to us for care and to pass on to those who succeed us.

With that said I would like to introduce two active members of that honor guard who were recently honored for prior active duty service. John Conklin (left), left high school at sixteen and enlisted in the Navy and served in a Seabee battalion in the Pacific during WWII. In late 1949 John joined the Marine Corps and eventually ended up in Korea north of the 38th parallel. On July 2, 1952, and while serving with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines John was wounded while defending a position known as Bunker Hill. He was eventually evacuated to the hospital ship USS New Haven. John was recently awarded a long overdue Purple Heart. Al Rood (right) refused a deferment to finish high school and entered the Marine Corps in December, 1943. Al was part of the 3rd Battalion, 8th wave which landed on Iwo Jima. Al spent 36 days on Iwo and personally witnessed the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi. Al was part of assault force heading for the invasion of Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped. Al was recently presented with his long overdue combat action ribbon.

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