[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 1995
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to call to 
the attention of my colleagues the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the 
Battle of Iwo Jima.
  Fifty years ago this month, our American Marines from the Third, 
Fourth, and Fifth United States Marine Divisions courageously battled 
in a struggle which lasted 30 days, to capture the Japanese occupied 
island of Iwo Jima. With over 25,000 American casualties, including 
over 6,000 killed, the Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest 
battles in all of American history. This Pacific island later provided 
bases for fighter support for raids over Japan, as well as an emergency 
landing field for damaged aircraft. It was planned that Iwo Jima would 
be used as a major launching facility for the Allied invasion of Japan. 
The invasion, of course, never took place because the atomic bomb 
brought about a rapid surrender of Japan prior to any invasion being 
necessary.
  However, I can attest from my own personal experience that the 
capture of Iwo Jima, although extremely dear, resulted in the saving of 
countless American lives and hastened the end of the war.
  Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of five men raising 
the American flag on Suribachi summarizes the spirit of the battle. 
Some authorities believe that this is the most duplicated photograph in 
all of history. In the classic words of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz: 
``Uncommon Valor Was a Common Virtue''.
  As a World War II staff sergeant stationed at Guam, I flew many 
missions over Tokyo. On several of these missions our aircraft was hit 
by enemy fire. We were forced on several occasions to make emergency 
landings, and were extremely grateful that the base on Iwo Jima was 
available to use. If these courageous Marines had not captured this 
island from Japan, myself and thousands of other American Marines would 
not have survived.
  The capture of Iwo Jima made it possible for the United States to 
successfully protect bombers flying from Saipan, Tinian, Guam and other 
points to Japan. The airfields at Iwo Jima provided an important 
emergency landing field for 2,251 damaged Superforts carrying 24,761 
crewmen. Thousands of American veterans, including myself, owe our 
lives to those who courageously captured the island of Iwo Jima.
  Few battles in our history have captured the imagination of the 
public as has Iwo Jima. Immortalized in movies, novels, and other 
productions, all Americans are well aware that the name of Iwo Jima is 
emblazoned forever in the pantheon of glory. Unfortunately, few 
Americans are aware of why the courage of the Iwo Jima heroes was so 
significant to all of us.
  It is in the spirit of gratitude and patriotism, Mr. Speaker, that I 
would like to call to the attention of my colleagues a Reunion of Honor 
for the 50th Anniversary of Iwo Jima. The reunion will take place March 
10-16, 1995. The surviving veterans of Iwo Jima, among the greatest 
heroes in our history, will be returning to Iwo Jima, Guam, and Saipan.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an appropriate time to salute the brave 
dedicated men who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima.


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