The Naval Guns prepared for the landing on Iwo Jima, Feb 19, 1944 (video)

It has been sometime since posting.

Today on 17 February 2025 it is 80 years ago today that Naval Bombardment was hammering the shores installations of Iwo Jima. 

20,000 Japanes soldiers and naval infantry were on the Island.

Civilians had long been removed.

Iwo Shima was considered the Japanese Homeland.

The Pacific Campaign was to take Island that were strategically important to the war effort.

The goal was to get air bases close to Japan to launch aerial bomber attacks to strike at Japan.

Saipan and Tinian had been taken in June of 1944.

The Fourth Marine Division had been training and refitting in Maui to take Iwo. Seizing Iwo Jima would allow B-17 and B-29 bombers to launch and recover. Iwo Jima would also allow fighter Escorts to defend the Bombers.

A concentrated effort had begun to destroy casemates and block houses at the shoreline.

The USMC Generals called for ten days of shelling. The Navy went with three days.

Below is a link to a Classified film produced by the War Department and The Navy on the Naval Gun Fire on Iwo Jima.

https://youtu.be/9WMqGYBOn9A?si=x5RUQ1rWFSaickJb

2 new stories from Jerry (audio)

I have more time now in retirement so I can dig into the archives for the Jerry Sherlock Story. The time has come to share these two stories that Dad wouldn’t initially let me publish.

So let’s set the scene for this segment of my conversation with Dad. I was recording with him, outdoor in Smithfield, RI on Sunday, July 29, 2007.

For part of this recording session, I had some clarifications that I wanted to make on some of the stories covered thus far. One of the clarifications sparked a couple of stories he had not told ‘the kids’ (meaning my brothers and sisters).

As I processed the files for publication, Dad had me hold off on these two stories as his grandchildren were too young. Time has marched on. Dad has left us now going on 7 years and the youngest of the grandchildren is now over 21. I see no reason why we can share the stories now. I believe Dad would approve.

As time permits, I’ll continue to refresh Jerry’s Story but these were the only two stories that had been held back per his request. 

Without further ado, here is my conversation with Jerry in 2007 when he reveals two stories he had not previously shared.

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hm54TQ7X




More on the differences between the K and C ration from wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-ration


The opening and closing piano clip is from Shady Dave 
https://freesound.org/people/ShadyDave/sounds/325611/

23 FEB 1945 - 2 Flags on Mt Suribachi

The National Colors were raised on Mt. Suribachi  on the island of IWO JIMA not once but twice.
 There is much back story to the Flag Raising.  It is complex and confusing.

However the simple fact is that the United States Flag was planted on Japanese soil by US MARINES.

Jerry was always adamant that there were in fact two flag raising's.  As usual he was right.

Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal went ashore with General Holland "Howlin' Mad" Smith that morning and when they landed the second flag had just been raised.  It was much larger and more visible.

SECNAV Forrestal was ecstatic by all accounts upon seeing the Flag. He turned to Gen. Smith and said, "Holland, the raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years"

68 years ago toady the marked an emotional turning point in the battle.  It didn't change the tempo of the combat.  Members of the first and second flag raisers would be killed in combat on Iwo Jima.

6,000 Americans would be killed in 38 days of what is considered one of the fiercest battles in MARINE CORPS history.

Marines today say that the benchmark has always been Iwo Jima.   MARINE Veterans of Korea, Viet Nam, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan have all pointed to the MARINES of IWO as the truly serious Gunfighters.

Hard to look at Jerry in his later years as anything but a happy go lucky guy from Pawtucket.  Who was proud of his family.   I saw the grim determination in his face and the set of his jaw in his last days.  The face of a MARINE Gunfighter who didn't have the word defeat in his vocabulary.

Tonight a special toast will be given by his friends from the MARINE CORPS and Family at the Whiskey Republic.  

Semper FI.

237th Birthday of the Marine Corps

Tonight at West Valley Inn in West Warwick distinguished members of the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS will gather to celebrate.  The occasion is the 237th Birthday of the MARINE CORPS.

This year it is one day early due to scheduling conflicts.  Several members of the Providence Police Department who I work with have organized it for several years.

Ed Malloy, Steve Cileli and Carl Weston along with several others have been working feverishly to bring a great format of events.

I met for breakfast and of course they are a little off as their good friend Jerry Sherlock is not with them tonight.  He has reported for duty on the streets of Heaven where all MARINES return.

Ed was very somber when he sent out the invitations in August.   Steve Cileli was excited about all the additional food that would be put out this year.  He chuckled fondly about Jerry always circling for crackers and cheese and of course holding out for dessert.   Carl Weston spoke of how much humor Jerry brought to the table.  If thats true Jerry was the ringmaster of that cast of characters.

Ed slipped me the sheet for the Roll of Honor that will be called tonight.  That list is read of the MARINES who have travelled on to the final journey.

It is a little quiet around here tonight.  Jerry would make this the first stop on the way to the Dinner posing for pictures.  Steve Cileli or I would drive him to the Dinner.

Of course the Corps marches on in History.

Ed Malloy tells me a photo of Jerry will be present at the head table.   He is not forgotten and sorely missed by his fellow MARINES.

Happy Birthday and SEMPER FIDELIS MARINES!

"make up for his lack of accuracy"

Jerry's son Bob recalls a conversation with him from Sep 2007. Jerry had recounted some of his Marine training in the conversation.

He is in good spirits, and told me some things about being in the Marines that I never knew - that he graduated from boot camp without having passed his marksmanship test on the M-1 Garand rifle that was the basic weapon for Marine infantrymen in WWII. He later qualified on it, on the 30 caliber machine gun, and also qualified on the carbine (a shorter weapon better suited for scouts and radiomen to carry. Papa liked it because it had a 15 round cartridge vs. the 8 rounds in the M-1, and he figured it would make up for his lack of accuracy. He also qualified on the 45 caliber pistol, because he did some assignments as a courier - bringing a briefcase of important papers from the officers on one island over to their counterparts on another island. The briefcase would be handcuffed to his left hand, and he had to be able to shoot the 45 if anyone messed with him.

Thanks for sharing this Bob.

If you have a memory or story of Jerry to share, please send it along.

Lunch with Jerry And Pat

Jerry attended the recent MARINE Birthday Ball.  He was introduced to Placido "Pat" Femino a Combat Engineer with the 5thMARDIV.  

Jerry said that he'd like to have lunch and spend some time with Pat.  Thanks to Ed Malloy and Paul DiPalma that meeting came together yesterday.

I picked up Jerry and then drove over to North Providence and picked up Pat.  Several choices were thrown out for lurch and we settled on Blackies on Rte.  116 in Smithfield.

Jerry and Pat were pretty happy to see each other.  The initial meet and greet was emotional for an outsider.  Two seemingly older Gentleman  who have mellowed with age.  The years were torn by back to a simpler time when life was defined in moments of survival in close combat.  They gave each other the Warrior Abrazo.  

The one thing I realized is that both of these guys have a keen sense of humor and you can quickly become the target of buffoonery by either. 

Carl Weston stopped in and he quickly became a target of Pat.  Carl had a previous engagement but sat in for a beer with these two Elder Statesmen of the MARINE CORPS veterans of RI.  Before Carl left Pat engaged in alittle buffoonery at Carl's expense.   Carl and I will be chuckling over that one for some time.

Pat and Jerry spoke of there times in the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and of time spent on Iwo.  Jerry and Pat both spent approx 37 days on Iwo and spoke of the only Banzai attack which took place on the Airfield at the end of the campaign.  They spoke of Harry Kizirian another MARINE from Rhode Island.  Both recounted meeting Harry Kizirian on different occaisions.

Pat travelled back to the US via aircraft and ended up at landing at Logan and then up to the Portsmouth Naval Yard.  Jerry as you may know came back by troopship and across the USA by train.  Ending up in Bainbridge, MD.

They spoke of the Bomb being dropped and the end of the War.  Mustering out and their experiences with doctors and young 90 Day Wonders.  Most of the officers stateside had very little clue what these men had experienced.

Pat and Jerry both have six children.  Three boys and three girls as they both said in stereo!

When we were leaving  Blackies a young man approached them.  He said," I want to thank you for your service.  I saw your Jacket and just wanted to say thanks."  Pat was wearing a windbreaker with the Flag Raisers embroidered on the back.  Both Pat and Jerry had Iwo Covers on. Pat immediately introduced the young man to Jerry'  "Please meet my friend Jerry who was also on on Iwo Jima."

The young man shook hands and reiterated his thanks to both MARINES.  Pat said to Jerry;  "Jerry this makes it all worth it doesn't it!"  Jerry replied with a grin; "It sure does."  I hesitate in putting this to words but the moment was defined by both Pat and Jerry getting quiet.  Giving each other a knowing look...  I  have watched the interviews of vets like Dick Winters, Babe Heffron, and Bill Guarnere they get quiet when remembering things long ago.  The jaw lines become taught and the eyes take a set.  I've noticed it is a common occurrence.  It will pass quickly and they move forward.

I don't care to describe anything else as it was a moment of reverence.  We all moved to the vehicle and the talk moved to politicians and things typically Rhode Island. 

Pat and Jerry

We were met back at Pat's home by his son Leon.  Leon was introduced to Jerry and I.

Jerry and Pat have agreed to meet in the future.

There is nothing particularly glorious about sweaty fellows, laden with killing tools, going along to fight. And yet — such a column represents a great deal more than 28,000 individuals mustered into a division. All that is behind those men is in that column, too: the old battles, long forgotten, that secured our nation... traditions of things endured and things accomplished, such as regiments hand down forever; and the faith of men and the love of women; and that abstract thing called patriotism... all this passes into the forward zone, to the point of contact, where war is girt with horrors. And common men endure these horrors and overcome them, along with the insistent yearnings of the belly and the reasonable promptings of fear; and in this, I think, is glory.
Fix Bayonets! by Capt John W. Thomasen, Jr., USMC

236th Marine Corps Birthday Dinner

Happy Birthday Devil Dogs.
10 NOV 1775 TUN Tavern in the city of Brotherly Love the Marine Corps was formed.

MARINES all over the Globe celebrated in high form on this night.

Places like Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and in every place where an American Embassy sits the MARINES celebrated.

In Rhode Island one distinguished group of MARINES celebrated at the Alpine Country Club. The Task Force is headed by Ed Malloy and assisted by Carl Weston, James Smith, Dan Cunningham and that legendary Marine Infantryman and Providence Police Officer Steve Cileli.

Steve as you may recall is the MARINE who started taking Jerry to the Birthday Dinner and brought him on board for the first time. Few of Jerry's children and grandchildren understand the ROCK STAR status that Jerry has with his fellow MARINES. Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.
Scenes of some of the fiercest close quarters combat that catapulted the US MARINES CORPS into history. Jerry came through although he lost some good friends. You have to watch as an observer the reverence that is shown to Jerry and guys like Placido " Pat" Femino of the 5th MARDIV.

Brianna Moody picked up Papa yesterday to run errands and then brought him to the residence to get ready. Brianna presented Jerry with a MARINE Corps tie adorned with the EGA's
in gold of course, on a blue background. ( Special thanks to the Marine Corps Museum Store for getting it here ASAP.)
Jerry tied it on and remarked" Oh Yes this makes it!" The requisite pictures were taken with Brianna and Jerry's daughter Joan. Then off to the Alpine Country Club.

Upon arrival, Jerry was greeted by MARINE Task Force Leader Ed Malloy. Ed was busy making last minute adjustments and greeting all MARINES.     Marine Steve Cileli got Jerry squared away immediately with admission details. Jerry is always excited to see Steve and counts him in his inner circle of MARINES.

MARINE Paul DiPalma let Jerry know that a fellow veteran of Iwo Jima would be
joining Jerry at the table of honor. Jerry was getting tickets for the raffle and ran into Paul Chalko, retired Providence Police Lieutenant. Paul is a veteran of the Chosin Resevoir and was with Jack Mainor where both were wounded.

A Navy Corpsman recovered them both and sent them south when the MARINES
turned around and advanced through the CHICOM Army and broke out. Both Paul and Jack were severely wounded but survived to lead successful lives and raise families.

We miss Jack Mainor to this day.

Paul DiPalma escorted Jerry to his table and then brought over Placido "Pat" Femino of the the 5th MARDIV. Pat and Jerry immediately fell in to animated conversation.

Several MARINES came over and said hello to Jerry and Pat. Jose Pineda and his brother along with Dave Perez, a new comer to the Dinner.   Jose and David are both Providence Police Officers.

Another Devil Dog Came over.  Eric Cuellar celebrates his own birthday today!  Eric is a Providence Police Officer and veteran of Iraq. Eric posed for a picture with Jerry and Pat. 

Marine James Smith stopped by and checked in on Jerry as well.  Jim kidded Jerry about his full head of hair. Jerry has quite a few of us beat.

Intelligence reports that Jerry passed on his salad but polished off his Scrod.

The cake was then cut by the oldest Marine 93 year young Colonel and the youngest Marine.

Dinner was followed by guest speaker Col. Theodore Gatchell USMC (RET.) two tours in the Republic of Viet Nam and Professor Emeritus at the Naval War College.

The Commandants Message was played.  Jerry and Pat were reported to be very excited.  The message linked the similarity in attacks on Pearl Harbor and the AQ attack on America on 9/11 and how motivated Marines responded.  Historical video from WWII and current MARINE COMBAT Operations in South West Asia kept everyone capitvated. 

The raffle took place, conducted by Carl Weston.

Ed Malloy called the roll of honor for MARINES who passed away over the year.

Then Marine Piper Manny Soares piped out the Colors with the MARINE CORPS Hymn.  Marine Bob Boehm was to play as well but fell ill and reported to sick bay.   (Bob had surgery and is up and well.  Jerry wanted to stop in and see him but it was alittle hectic. )

Once again Jerry had an outstanding time. His wry wit was on rapid fire according to Eric Cuellar.
 
 Jerry and his fellow MARINES sang the Marine Corps Hym at the end of the night.  It was a rousing chorus and a final OOORAAAAHHHH.   Check out the video link.

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy.
Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzDeHnMhftM

Saturday lunch with Jerry

Saturday is usually lunch over at Ernies. Ernie being a retired heavy Rescue Fire Fighter Captain has some great talent. Cooking is one of them. All though I have to caution him on the "HEAT" his meals are gourmet killer! He is the Chef of Fire.

The crew varies from week to week. We tend to solve all the worlds problems in under two hours or less. It takes place in Ernie's shop among firearms and Bridgeport tool machines.

I pickup Jerry and should I not bring him I usually get the third degree from the crew as to why he is not present. Jerry has Rock Star importance among these guys not because of charming Irish wit and good looks but because of his Elder Statesman status as a UNITED STATES MARINE VETERAN Of World War Two. The crew is very patriotic and dyed in the wool American.

Jerry is well versed on many subjects and is less prone to holding back as of late. The topics covered are politics, public misdeeds, tomfoolery and pension rights to name a few.

He was extremely pleased about the Navy Seals lifting UBL'S scalp back in April. Of course it pains him to hear of casualties especially MARINES.

Today the topic was the pension stuff in Providence and the recent discussion of layoffs.

Ernie made Chicken with Broccoli. With a wine sauce and pasta. Oh yeah, I ate way too much. Jerry gave it two thumbs up.

Ernie needed to test fire some weapons and we went to the range. I asked Jerry if he wanted to shoot? "Sure!" was his reply.

He first shot a 1911 style pistol in .22 caliber. We sent him down range and he drilled the target in the K5 Zone. He pressed pretty quick on the trigger.

"How did I do?" Yes PFC Sherlock you did fine. Old habits die hard." Hey Ernie you were right just like riding a bike." With that trademark Sherlock laugh.

He then shot a version of the M4 Carbine which his present day fellow Marines are fielding in Harms Way. He really liked and it reminded him of the handy M1 Carbine he carried and put to use in the Pacific.

While heading out he told me a few things. "Well I kind of shoot real fast. We had to you know against the Japanese. They would come in around 10 or 11 o'clock at night. They would get fired up on liquor and then their commanders would send them in a Banzai Charge. You had to shoot fast because there were so many. Ten MARINES would be in line shooting. You never really knew who you killed because everyone was shooting. Anyone standing in front of us got shot. The attacks could last anywhere from ten minutes to an hour. At IWO it was much different. The Japanese Commander forbid Banzai charges. He wanted every Japanese soldier to kill ten MARINES. It was very different.

I went to Marpi Point where the Japanese were pushing people off the cliffs. Do you remember me telling you about the woman we found in labor? Yes that's still pretty funny today. That woman gave birth with the help of another MARINE. He asked me if I had ever helped deliver a baby. No I said. Then the Marine said how about a farm animal? I grew up in the city we didn't have anything like that. What are you, crazy?" Jerry then said the MARINE assisted in the delivery and took his T-shirt off and wrapped the infant and gave it to Jerry.
" That woman got up and marched to the POW camp and then I took the baby over to the field hospital. I was exhausted and she marched right alongside of us after delivering a baby. Wow!'

Jerry's burn is looking better. I changed it and dressed the arm and it is looking much better. Fight with a hot cup of coffee.

8 US Service Men were killed this week in Afghanistan.

Two were in the ARMY.

Six were MARINES. They died taking the fight to the enemy. Remember that this holiday weekend. We celebrate Independence Day. They paid the price for us.

As Jerry would say, " SEMPER FI!"

"The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle."

General John "Black Jack" Pershing US ARMY

19 FEB 1945

‎19 Feb. 1945, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions, supported by the Navy, invaded Iwo Jima. In a battle that lasted 35 days, 6,821 Marines were killed in action, and 19,189 wounded. Of the 22,000 Japanese defenders, only 216 were taken alive. 27 Medals of Honor were awarded, 13 posthumously. Courtesy of Carl Weston

Saturday was spent with Jerry. We ate at Ernie Delmonico's. It is an unusual collection of men who gather for a couple of hours and solve all the worlds problems in four hours or less. Great food lots of laughs and some colorful language!

Yesterday was typical with Matt Wolf of INFORCE tactical lights showing A US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES SERGEANT a new tactical light. Jerry was duly impressed. He listened with rapt attention. I asked him what kind of light he used hunting in the caves on Iwo.

"oh sunlight.". Followed by the trade mark grin and laugh. The SF sergeant who has been back and forth to Iraq and A-Stan on numerous expeditions gave me a knowing look. It is the glance and acknowledgement of reverence from one professional to another about Jerry and those guys like him. They are described as Rock Stars. Truly.

I have spent a several years hunting armed men with a lot of high speed gear. Gear that has evolved over the years. My kit is an additional 70 lbs of weight. Body armor, plates ammo, lights, mirrors, chem sticks and other tools. Night vision and portable communications.

Jerry's kit. Dungarees,web belt several magazines for his M1 carbine, canteen and commo pliers. Steel pot. (his helmet) When clearing caves, a1911A1 .45 pistol and a whole lot of guts. (this site is G rated). I can't even fathom going on a job without my kit. Jerry and guys like him had none of the high speed gear of today.

SEMPER FI TO JERRY AND THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS ON THIS HALLOWED DAY.

"UNCOMMOM VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE"

Did you know Donald Hallman, Jr - 4th Division Marines, 1st JASCO?

I received an email with the following contents:

My mother in law's uncle was Donald Hallman, JR.  he was killed when he was 17 years old on Iwo.  He was a member of the 1st JASCO, I don't have the exact unit he was in but I do have a copy of his casualty card that I have attached.  Buddy, as he was known to the family, enlisted at around 15, some of the letters (and I do have access to them just not at this time) said that everyone under the rank of CPT knew about his age...he also mentioned some kind of training accident that occurred while training for Iwo...from what I can tell by adding bits and pieces together I think he was also on Saipan as he mentions being on the cover of a magazine.  Would you please ask Jerry if he ever heard of Donald?  it would mean a great deal to my mother in law.  Buddy was from Texas and his father was also in the Corps as a combat correspondent...he lost a leg at Peleiu and he and his son (Donald Jr.) were featured in Stars and Stripes or one of those type papers as being one of the few father/son marines.

ANYTHING Jerry may know about Donald "Buddy" Hallman,Jr. would be great!!

Unfortunately, Jerry does not recall Donald.

The 1st Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO) while a single unit was deployed in smaller groups to support different battalions within the 4th Division. Jerry was associated with the 3rd Regiment, 25th Battalion and they went ashore on Iwo Jima in the Blue section of the beach.

Maybe other visitors of this site will know of someone who did know Donald.

If you do, please contact me. I'll connect you with the family of Donald who will be most grateful.

National Museum finds Jerry's Story

The National Museum of the Marine Corps has picked up Jerry's Story and posted a link to their Facebook Fan Page. Here is a screen shot of their posting:

Thank you for sharing Jerry's Story.

Welcome to all the visitors from the National Museum of the Marine Corps!

The recent entries are reflections captured by Frank as he and Jerry review "The Pacific" on HBO.
You can also dig into the archives for audio recordings of his story. You can choose the key words along the right column to get to particular entries.

Marine Corps Weapons World War Two

In Pacific we have seen the 1st MARDIV deploy to Guadalcanal with 1903 Springfield 03A3 in .30-06

The 30-06 was a .30 caliber round was a 150 grain bullet. Some experts from that era may chirp and say it was a 152 grain. Never the less the firing tables back then were out at 800 yards with iron sights. The 03A3 was a clip fed five round magazine bolt action rifle.

It was designed after the Spanish American War. The designs of the Krag and Mauser rifles were combined in a unique design for the time. It was first fielded along the Mexican border while Black Jack Pershing was chasing Pancho Villa. Teddy Roosevelt rejected the bayonet as it was a rod type. Having "seen the elephant" in Cuba he wanted a bayonet that was sturdy. The rifles had to be retooled. The bayonet was designated the m-1905 and was 16 inches in length.

Springfield was an accurate weapon. In WW1 the Germans thought they were under machine gun while facing the Marines. The fire was so accurate and at a distance of 800 yards the Germans were convinced they were up against Machine Guns. The deadliest infantrymen in the world. Marine Riflemen.

Hence the comment by one of the actors about going to war with his fathers rifle.

In 1936 the Army began looking for a new rifle and it began fielding the M-1 Garand. A gas operated piston rifle. More moving parts, but an 8 round ENBLOC clip made for a fast steady rate of fire. The Marines saw them when the US ARMY arrived on Guadalcanal. The Marines began seeing them in 1943 when they retrained in Australia.

Jerry remarked that he fired and trained with the M-1 at Parris Island. Much to his chagrin he complained that the sights were off and he was stuck with the score when he left boot camp. Upon arrival to Camp Lejuene he was issued an M-1 to take into combat. The usual load was about 120 round per man. (A Marine today in A-Stan carries up to twelve 30 round magazines for his M-16A4)

"Once I got to Hawaii and found out what my job was I got rid of it for an M-1 Carbine. I wanted a .45 Colt pistol but that didn't happen. I wanted to be able to carry more ammo and the Carbine was lighter but had a 15 round clip. Two magazines on the stock of the rifle and a couple more on my belt."

The .30 Caliber Carbine round was about 110 grains and was equivalent to something between a .38 Cal or .357 Magnum. Nothing real great for stopping power. When I asked Jerry about that he shrugged his shoulders and said:

"Well, we had a solution for that. We'd cut a cross in the top of the bullet. When it hit something it would expand like a hollow point."

Yeah, typical Marine solution. Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.

The Springfield was still a main stay with Scout snipers in the Marine Corps during World War II. Rangers in both the Pacific Theater Operations (PTO) and European Theater Operations (ETO) would carry the Springfield for certain operations.

The Carbine eventually was issued with an infra red scope and battery pack to the Marines when they hit Okinawa. It was the forerunner of Night Vision. Great weapon system for the time.

Today a Marine Rifleman can utilize an ACOG scope with a Night Vision Device and hit out to 800 meters with his M16A4. While out at Gunsite, I worked with two Marine Corps Warrant Officers. They just shake their heads in awe of guys like Jerry. However they did say, the 18 year old Marines of today are just as accurate and handy as their predecessors.

Last Sunday I hauled out an M1 Garand and an M1 Carbine. Jerry chuckled when he held the Garand he remarked

"Eight Rounds, nine pounds."

Hmm, where did that pop out from. Old habits die hard I suspect.

Jerry quickly gravitated to the Carbine and his eyes lit up. It's been some time but he handled it true fashion. Safe Direction, checked the safety and that the chamber was open. He popped it to his shoulder.

"My eyesight isn't what it used to be. I could fire this one handed if I had too back then. When are we going out to shoot?"

Well, we'll get out to the range. Let's see if Steve Sherlock can do another live feed!

Heading out to see Jerry later on today. Another great night to look forward too.

BTW I brought back a new cover and shirt for Jerry from the National Museum of the Marine Corps. I brought the same cover back for Steve Cileli. Reports so far is that Jerry and Steve have been wearing their new cover all week.

"The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle."

General John Pershing Commander American Forces in World War 1.

Iwo Jima Association

The battle raged on Iwo Jima 65 years ago today. The landing took place on Feb 19th and the fighting continued for 35 days.

The Iwo Jima Association has a website with good info and a great photo gallery!

There are two books of photos reproduced. It takes time to view them as there are shots of the photo and of the accompanying caption.

You can choose to view as a slideshow and then go back to look for the caption on specific photos.

Volume 1

Volume 2


Take your time viewing. The shots are quite impressive. I'll sit with Jerry soon to show him this and get his comments. There are quite a few photos just in the first part of Volume 1 referencing the 4th Marine Division that he was part of.