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The Battle of Iwo Jima began on this day 80 years ago...
Posted on 2/19/25 at 4:58 am
Posted on 2/19/25 at 4:58 am
February 19, 1945.
The V Amphibious Corps under the command of Major General Harry Schmidt landed on the volcanic island in the early hours of the morning. The assault force consisted of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th U.S. Marine divisions (70,000 men in all) as well as the U.S. Army's 147th Infantry Regiment. The Japanese defenders allowed the Americans to land unopposed and advance inland before opening up with intense machine gun, rifle, and artillery fire. Japanese commander Tadamichi Kuribayashi had put together an impressive string of defenses consisting of underground tunnels and hidden earthen bunkers that would make the Americans' job of clearing the island a living hell.
The battle would last five weeks and cost the lives of almost 7,000 Americans with an additional 19,200 Americans falling wounded to enemy fire. Over 20,000 of the island's almost 21,000 Japanese defenders would be killed in the fighting, either by American gunfire or by ritual suicide. The engagement, the first to occur on Japanese soil, helped convince the U.S. high command that an invasion of Japan would be too costly for the American public to bear, and that the use of nuclear weapons might be the preferred course of action.
The V Amphibious Corps under the command of Major General Harry Schmidt landed on the volcanic island in the early hours of the morning. The assault force consisted of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th U.S. Marine divisions (70,000 men in all) as well as the U.S. Army's 147th Infantry Regiment. The Japanese defenders allowed the Americans to land unopposed and advance inland before opening up with intense machine gun, rifle, and artillery fire. Japanese commander Tadamichi Kuribayashi had put together an impressive string of defenses consisting of underground tunnels and hidden earthen bunkers that would make the Americans' job of clearing the island a living hell.
The battle would last five weeks and cost the lives of almost 7,000 Americans with an additional 19,200 Americans falling wounded to enemy fire. Over 20,000 of the island's almost 21,000 Japanese defenders would be killed in the fighting, either by American gunfire or by ritual suicide. The engagement, the first to occur on Japanese soil, helped convince the U.S. high command that an invasion of Japan would be too costly for the American public to bear, and that the use of nuclear weapons might be the preferred course of action.
15
Posted on 2/19/25 at 5:12 am to RollTide1987
Uncle was there. He was around the group that put up the first flag. Lifelong marine.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 6:23 am to RollTide1987
The Bombs saved more Japanese lives than American
Posted on 2/19/25 at 6:40 am to RollTide1987
Those guys saw some shite! Wrap your brain around the fact that most of these guys were less than 25 years old.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:36 am to RollTide1987
Heroes ...all of them.
Pacific was such a good series.
Pacific was such a good series.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:41 am to RollTide1987
I love watching WWII documentaries especially about the pacific
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:46 am to RollTide1987
Worked with a Marine who fought there and survived. He was wounded earlier on Saipan.
Cpl. Stanley Vicknair from Algiers. RIP Mr. Stanley.
Cpl. Stanley Vicknair from Algiers. RIP Mr. Stanley.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:23 am to RollTide1987
speaking of Japan, i just watched this for the first time yesterday
dude has no PTSD lol
here is a short version...
full interview
Youtube Link
dude has no PTSD lol
here is a short version...
full interview
Youtube Link
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:41 am to RollTide1987
Iwo Jima always fascinates me. It is a tiny island. You can see clear across it from one side to the other and the Japanese turned it into a series of kill zones every 20-50 feet or so.
History hasn’t been kind on the decision to take the island but it for sure taught us how the Japanese were learning how to fight a modern war.
Not to mention 72 days of aerial bombardment that dropped 6,800 tons of munitions and 3 days of a massive naval barrage. Still ended up with 7k dead and 26k overall casualties - for an island half the size of key west.
History hasn’t been kind on the decision to take the island but it for sure taught us how the Japanese were learning how to fight a modern war.
Not to mention 72 days of aerial bombardment that dropped 6,800 tons of munitions and 3 days of a massive naval barrage. Still ended up with 7k dead and 26k overall casualties - for an island half the size of key west.
This post was edited on 2/19/25 at 8:46 am
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:47 am to rmnldr
We took a trip out to Iwo Space A on a C-130. Black sand, and not very pleasant. When they tell you not to pick up anything you see in the sand, even kids take that warning extremely seriously. IIRC, we had about two hours to take a guided walk around before we returned via the same Herc.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:52 am to LSUDonMCO
My grandfather was a 18yo corpsman attached to 28th marines. Cut across the island past Suribachi while other elements pushed up the volcano.
Spent 2+ weeks on the front prior to being evacuated to the beach for triage then onto a hospital ship.
Talked about it with me once prior to his death. Could still see the sorrow.
Spent 2+ weeks on the front prior to being evacuated to the beach for triage then onto a hospital ship.
Talked about it with me once prior to his death. Could still see the sorrow.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:55 am to RollTide1987
For any of you gamers out there that are into military simulation games, Squad 44 is releasing Iow Jima as a brand new map today in honor of the 80 year anniversary of the real battle.
Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here.This post was edited on 2/19/25 at 9:05 am
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:59 am to RollTide1987
A cousin who I never knew: I've visited his grave and saw his Purple Heart.
6 Apr 1945 - First Lieut. Felix. H. Buvens, USMN, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Felix N. Buvens, Many, was killed in action in the battle of Iwo Jima Feb. 22, according to notice received by his parents March 26 from Lieut. General A. A. Vandergrift, commandant of the U. S. Marine Corps.
Lt. Buvens was graduated from Many high school in 1937 and enlisted in the marines in July of that year. He received boot training at Parris Island S. C. and for several years was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Battleship Wyoming as a gunner. Following this assignment, he was made a recruiter and served in that capacity until February 1943 when he entered officers training school. He was graduated from the 22nd reserve officers class at Quantico, Va., and received his commission as second lieutenant May 5, 1945.
Lt. Buvens participated in the battles for Roi and Namur in the Marshalls and Saipan and Timian in the Marianna islands. After the battle of the Marshalls, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He was wounded in action on Tinian and subsequently was awarded the Purple Heart.
Lt. Buvens was married in May 1943 to the former Miss Betty Gray of Rome, Ga., and was the father of a baby daughter, Elizabeth Ann, whom he had never seen. In addition to his parents, wife and baby, Lt. Buvens is survived by two brothers, Francis of Houston, Texas, Norman of Many and one sister, Bobby, also of Many.
[Obituary 2]
Sabine Index, Many, La., Jan 7, 1949
7 Jan 1949 - The remains of the late Lt. Felix H. Buvens and Pfc. Walter Earl Hubley will arrive by train at 4 p.m. Friday from Fort Worth, Texas and will rest in the respective home until the hour of funeral services 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at St. John's Catholic church. Final interment will be in the Catholic cemetery with military rites at the graveside.
6 Apr 1945 - First Lieut. Felix. H. Buvens, USMN, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Felix N. Buvens, Many, was killed in action in the battle of Iwo Jima Feb. 22, according to notice received by his parents March 26 from Lieut. General A. A. Vandergrift, commandant of the U. S. Marine Corps.
Lt. Buvens was graduated from Many high school in 1937 and enlisted in the marines in July of that year. He received boot training at Parris Island S. C. and for several years was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Battleship Wyoming as a gunner. Following this assignment, he was made a recruiter and served in that capacity until February 1943 when he entered officers training school. He was graduated from the 22nd reserve officers class at Quantico, Va., and received his commission as second lieutenant May 5, 1945.
Lt. Buvens participated in the battles for Roi and Namur in the Marshalls and Saipan and Timian in the Marianna islands. After the battle of the Marshalls, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He was wounded in action on Tinian and subsequently was awarded the Purple Heart.
Lt. Buvens was married in May 1943 to the former Miss Betty Gray of Rome, Ga., and was the father of a baby daughter, Elizabeth Ann, whom he had never seen. In addition to his parents, wife and baby, Lt. Buvens is survived by two brothers, Francis of Houston, Texas, Norman of Many and one sister, Bobby, also of Many.
[Obituary 2]
Sabine Index, Many, La., Jan 7, 1949
7 Jan 1949 - The remains of the late Lt. Felix H. Buvens and Pfc. Walter Earl Hubley will arrive by train at 4 p.m. Friday from Fort Worth, Texas and will rest in the respective home until the hour of funeral services 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at St. John's Catholic church. Final interment will be in the Catholic cemetery with military rites at the graveside.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 9:05 am to RollTide1987
If you are ever down in South Texas, Rio Grande Valley, you need to visit the Iow Jima Museum in Harlingen, Tx.
I took my Dad, a former Marine to this place. We both enjoyed.
Iow Jima Museum
I took my Dad, a former Marine to this place. We both enjoyed.
Iow Jima Museum
Posted on 2/19/25 at 9:09 am to RollTide1987
Stanwood Duval. USMC
From Houma. A fine upstanding gentleman.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 9:18 am to Bigfishchoupique
Semper Fi to all Marines and descendents of Marines 
Posted on 2/19/25 at 9:20 am to RollTide1987
My great grandpa lost his leg on the beach of Iwo Jima
Posted on 2/19/25 at 10:14 am to RollTide1987
The Japs were some sick mfs.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 10:19 am to RollTide1987
My Papaw was there.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 10:44 am to Palo Gaucho
My dad was on the second wave and stayed until April. Only thing he would say about it was how badly he wanted some ice water.
From his military records I found he was promoted to master sergeant one week later.
I requested his records after he died.
From his military records I found he was promoted to master sergeant one week later.
I requested his records after he died.
quote:
As the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you are eligible to access their military records.
How to submit:
You can mail the completed SF-180 form, fax it, or submit it online through the eVetRecs system.
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