[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 34 (Thursday, February 23, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H2154-H2155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       COMMEMORATING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE FOR IWO JIMA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. McHale] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McHALE. The Medal of Honor.
  Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy. Captain, United States Marine Corps 
Reserve, Second Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division. Iwo Jima. 
21 February 1945.
  Citation.

       For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of 
     his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding 
     officer of a rifle company attached to the 2d Battalion, 24th 
     Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy 
     Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano 
     Islands, on 21 February 1945. Determined to break through the 
     enemy's cross-island defenses, Capt. McCarthy acted on his 
     own initiative when his company advance was held up by 
     uninterrupted Japanese rifle, machinegun, and high-velocity 
     47-mm. fire during the approach to Motoyama Airfield No. 2. 
     Quickly organizing a demolitions and flamethrower team to 
     accompany his picked rifle squad, he fearlessly led the way 
     across 75 yards of fire-swept ground, charged a heavily 
     fortified pillbox on the ridge of the front and, personally 
     hurling handgrenades into the emplacement as he directed the 
     combined operations of his small assault group, completely 
     destroyed the hostile installation. Spotting 2 Japanese 
     soldiers attempting an escape from the shattered pillbox, he 
     boldly stood upright in full view of the enemy and dispatched 
     both troops before advancing to a second emplacement under 
     greatly intensified fire and then blasted the strong 
     fortifications with a well-planned demolitions attack. 
     Subsequently entering the ruins, he found a Japanese taking 
     aim at 1 of our men and, with alert presence of mind, jumped 
     the enemy, disarmed and shot him with his own weapon. Then, 
     intent on smashing through the narrow breach, he rallied the 
     remainder of his company and pressed a full attack with 
     furious aggressiveness until he had neutralized all 
     resistance and captured the ridge. An inspiring leader and 
     indomitable fighter, Capt. McCarthy consistently disregarded 
     all personal danger during the fierce conflict and, by his 
     brilliant professional skill, daring tactics, and tenacious 
     perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, contributed 
     materially to the success of his division's operations 
     against this savagely defended outpost of the Japanese 
     Empire. His cool decision and outstanding valor reflect the 
     highest credit upon Capt. McCarthy and enhance the finest 
     traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

  Mr. Speaker, in a different circumstance, the then-Commandant of the 
Marine Corps said, ``Oh, Lord, where do we find men such as these?'' 
Since November 10, 1775, we have found them in the U.S. Marine Corps.
  Mr. Speaker, the finest book that I have ever read on the battle for 
Iwo Jima I am now holding in my hand. The title of the book is ``Iwo 
Jima: Legacy of Valor,'' and the author was Bill D. Ross, a combat 
correspondent who landed with the Marines on that fateful island.
  What I would like to do, Mr. Speaker, is read one passage from this 
superb book in tribute to those Marines and in tribute to Mr. Ross 
himself who recently died, capturing the sacrifice and the courage of 
those very brave men.
  D plus 23, March 14, 1945.
       This, too, was the day the cemeteries were dedicated.
       [[Page H2155]] Marines had been coming down from the high 
     ground in the north since early morning, not because of the 
     flag-raising ceremonies but to seek out graves of fallen 
     comrades. The burial grounds by now had the appearance of 
     hallowed dignity, and what was spoken at the ceremonies added 
     to the aura.
       ``No words of mine can properly express the homage due 
     these heroes,'' General Cates said of the Fourth Division 
     dead, ``but I can assure them and their loved ones that we 
     will carry their banner forward. They truly died that we 
     might live, and we will not forget. May their souls rest in 
     peace.''
       Navy Lieutenant Roland B. Gittelsohn, a Jewish chaplain, 
     delivered the eulogy for the Fifth Division in words that I 
     think were prophetic: Here lie officers and men, Negroes and 
     whites, rich men and poor--together. ``Here are Protestants, 
     Catholics, and Jews--together. Here no man prefers another 
     because of his faith or despises him because of his color. 
     Here there are no quotas of how many from each group are 
     admitted or allowed. Among these men there is no 
     discrimination. No prejudices. No hatred. Theirs is the 
     highest and purest democracy.''
       Virginia General Erskine commanding general, was visibly 
     moved, his frame ramrod straight as his tearful gaze swept 
     the rows of markers in the Third Division resting place. 
     ``There is nothing I can say which is wholly adequate to this 
     occasion,'' he began. ``Only the accumulated praise of time 
     will pay proper tribute to our valiant dead. Long after those 
     who lament their immediate loss are themselves dead, these 
     men will be mourned by the nation. For they are the nation's 
     loss.''
       ``Let the world count our crosses. Let them count them over 
     and over. Let us do away with names, with ranks and rates and 
     unit designations, here. Do away with the terms--regular, 
     reserve.''
       The general paused. ``Here lie only,'' another pause, 
     ``only Marines.''

                              {time}  2100

  In closing, Mr. Speaker, and very briefly, let me assure the American 
people and affirm for my fellow Marines the spirit of these Iwo Jima 
veterans is burned deep in the soul of every Marine serving today. 
Semper fidelis to Corp and to country, semper fidelis.


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