[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 34 (Thursday, February 23, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H2152-H2153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Largent). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in joining my fellow 
colleagues and Marines in honoring the 
[[Page H2153]]  sacrifices of those who fought and served 50 years ago 
at Iowa Jima.
  The battle for Iowa Jima holds a special place in the history of the 
Marine Corps. In many ways, it established the Corps firmly in the 
American consciousness. The picture of six Marines raising the American 
flag on Mount Suribachi is perhaps the most memorable image from World 
War II to most Americans. Yet, it is only a symbol of the immense 
sacrifice it took to wrest the island from Japanese control.
  Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war. Some 
6,800 American men died in the struggle for the Island, another 18,000 
wounded. Roughly one out of every three marines who landed on the 
island became a casualty.
  I think the engraved words on the face of the Iowa Jima monument tell 
the story of the battle best, quoting Admiral Nimitz when he said: 
``Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a 
common virtue.''
  It is a testament to that valor that more Marines were awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor at Iowa Jima than in any other single 
battle in the history of the Corps. One of the 22 recipients, Captain 
Robert Dunlap, is a constituent. He was born in the town of Abingdon 
and now resides in Monmouth, Illinois.
  Let me quote to you from the citation given to Captain Dunlap when he 
was awarded our Nation's highest military honor.

       Defying uninterrupted blasts of Japanese artillery, mortar, 
     rifle and machine gun fire, Capt. Dunlap led his troops in a 
     determined advance from low ground uphill toward the steep 
     cliffs from which the enemy poured a devastating rain of 
     shrapnel and bullets, steadily inching forward until the 
     tremendous volume of enemy fire from the caves located high 
     to his front temporarily halted his progress. Determined not 
     to yield, he crawled alone approximately 200 yards forward of 
     his front lines, took observation at the base of the cliff 50 
     yards from Japanese lines, located the enemy positions and 
     returned to his own lines where he relayed the vital 
     information to supporting artillery and naval gunfire units.
       Persistently disregarding his own personal safety, he then 
     placed himself in an exposed vantage point to direct more 
     accurately the supporting fire working without respite for 2 
     days and 2 nights under constant enemy fire, skillfully 
     directed a smashing bombardment against the almost 
     impregnable Japanese positions despite numerous obstacles and 
     heavy Marine casualties. A brilliant leader, Capt. Dunlap 
     inspired his men to heroic efforts during this critical phase 
     of the battle and by his decision, indomitable fighting 
     spirit and daring tactics in the face of fanatic opposition, 
     greatly accelerated the final decisive defeat of Japanese 
     countermeasures in his sector and materially furthered 
     continued advance of his company. His great personal valor 
     and gallant spirit of self sacrifice throughout the bitter 
     hostilities reflect highest credit upon Capt. Dunlap and the 
     U.S. Naval Service.

  Mr. Speaker, the heroism of Captain Dunlap and the rest of the 
veterans of that conflict helped bring the end of the war closer. The 
capture of the island brought our strategic bombers within effective 
range of the Japanese mainland. It also saved lives. Over 2,000 B-29's 
used Iwo Jima as an emergency landing strip after the invasion.
  As a former marine, I salute Capt. Dunlap and all of the other 
veterans of the battle whose selfless service and sacrifice secured our 
freedoms, including my own cousin Jack * * * born in Rock Island, IL, 
and now living in Davenport Iowa, who served valiantly with the other 
marines in that conflict.
  I am so pleased and honored to have had this opportunity to join my 
fellow Veterans' Committee colleagues and former marines in this 
special order.
  Semper Fi to each and every one of you.
  

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