[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 26 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2230-S2232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA

  Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President; this month marks the 60th anniversary of 
the victory at Iwo Jima. That battle is remembered as one of the 
bloodiest in Marine Corps history. Approximately 70,000 American and 
22,000 Japanese troops engaged in a month long battle for the Pacific 
Island that was critical to the air bombardment of mainland Japan. The 
heroic achievements of our nation's warriors throughout this 
treacherous battle attest to the courage and character not only of the 
brave men who fought there, but of our nation as a whole.
  The island of Iwo Jima consists of coarse volcanic sand that impeded 
the movement of men and machines as they struggled up the beach. Unable 
to dig fighting holes, the Marines were

[[Page S2231]]

sitting ducks for the Japanese gunners hiding in a network of caves. 
Suribachi, the 550-foot volcanic mountain at the island's southern end, 
allowed Japanese gunners to zero in on every inch of the landing beach. 
Blockhouses and pillboxes flanked the landing areas, leading historians 
to describe the attack as ``throwing human flesh against reinforced 
concrete.'' The 36-day assault on Iwo Jima resulted in more than 23,200 
Americans wounded, and another 6,800 who paid the ultimate price.
  The battle, which involved the largest number of Marines committed to 
a single operation during World War II, featured superior service 
cooperation. The Navy-Marine Corps team functioned as a model of 
efficiency. To make victory possible, more than 450 ships massed in the 
surrounding waters. Among those ships was the aircraft carrier USS 
Saratoga, and on board that ship was my brother, John Hanford. Having 
graduated from Duke University and joined the Navy at 19, he became an 
aviation supply officer. John's battle station was a 20 millimeter gun 
battery, where he led a 15-man team. Tasked with laying an impenetrable 
curtain of anti-aircraft fire, the 20 millimeter batteries provided the 
ship's last line of defense from attacking Japanese Zeros and 
kamikazes.
  The Saratoga was part of the legendary Task Force 58, commanded by 
the superb strategist, Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher, who executed a 
diversionary air bombardment of Japan on the initial days of the Iwo 
Jima assault. On February 21st, the Saratoga and three destroyers moved 
south, to provide direct air support for the Marines on Iwo Jima. 
Although the 20 millimeter batteries were effective out to a mile, the 
low cloud layer that day as the Saratoga came on station, forced my 
brother and the rest of the crew to mount a desperate, close-in defense 
of the ship.
  In full view of Mt. Suribachi, the Saratoga was subjected to two 
waves of Japanese air attacks. During the first wave, her radar picked 
up a large threat, estimated at 20 to 25 planes. Despite the deadly 
anti-aircraft fire, within 3 minutes three bombs plunged into the 
Saratoga, immediately followed by four kamikaze hits.
  Her crew fought fires blazing in the hangar deck, and her planes were 
directed to land on the nearby escort carriers. Roughly 2 hours later, 
five kamikazes targeted her again. Four were shot down but one dropped 
a bomb, which exploded over her flight deck before the plane itself 
bounced over the side. During the air attacks, the crew could see the 
USS Bismarck being struck by a kamikaze and minutes later sinking with 
a crew of 218 aboard. The Saratoga's losses were 192 sailors and 
Marines wounded, 123 killed or missing. And, as a youngster growing up 
in Salisbury, NC, I well remember my revered big brother coming home on 
what was called ``survivor's leave.''
  Though extremely costly, the ability to launch and recover aircraft 
on Iwo Jima was critical to the strategic bombing campaign and 
ultimately to the American victory in the Japanese theater. The 
island's capture served to increase the operating range, payload, and 
survival rate of the big bombers. While the monthly tonnage of high 
explosives dropped on Imperial Japan increased eleven-fold during March 
alone, the greatest value of Iwo Jima was to serve as an emergency 
landing field for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. By war's 
end, a total of 2,400 bombers carrying over 27,000 crewmen made forced 
landings on the island. Without control of Iwo Jima, many of these men 
would have been lost at sea. Noted one B-29 pilot, ``whenever I landed 
on the island, I thanked God for the men who fought for it.''
  One of the many heroes of the fierce land battle was PFC Jack Lucas, 
born and raised in North Carolina. He is the Nation's youngest Medal of 
Honor recipient of the 20th century and the youngest Marine ever to 
receive that award. Anxious to fight for his country, this son of a 
tobacco farmer forged his mother's signature and enlisted in the Marine 
Corps at age 14. Frustrated with an assignment to a training command, 
he stowed away on a ship bound for Iwo Jima. Six days after his 17th 
birthday, he and three other men were attacked by grenades. The men 
jumped into a shallow hole; as a grenade landed next to them, Private 
Lucas threw his body over it. When another grenade landed close by, 
Private Lucas pulled it under him and absorbed the blasts of both 
grenades with his body, saving his fellow Marines from certain injury 
and possible death. Miraculously, he survived. Bob and I have had the 
privilege of several visits with Jack and his wonderful wife.
  Private Lucas is a representative of what has been hailed as ``The 
Greatest Generation.'' As evidenced by America's triumphs in numerous 
conflicts since World War II, the traits, the spirit of the Greatest 
Generation have certainly been passed on. Today, approximately 14,000 
Marines of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force, based in North 
Carolina, are in the process of deploying to Iraq to continue fighting 
for freedom. I am very proud to recognize 41 Marine lieutenants who are 
sitting in the gallery today. These young men and women are the newest 
bearers of the torch of freedom so proudly carried by the Iwo Jima 
veterans. This platoon of recently commissioned officers is about to 
finish training, and in a few short months many of them will find 
themselves in direct combat supporting the global war against 
terrorism.
  I applaud their selfless act, volunteering to serve our Nation during 
this time of war; they represent our Nation's best. I have no doubt 
that these young officers will have the privilege of leading many men 
and women who possess the same qualities of tenacity and valor 
displayed by Private Lucas.
  I could not agree more with Jack Lucas who recently said, ``I am so 
proud of the people who serve today, whether in peacetime or in war. 
You can't do anything better than serve America . . . I love our 
government and our military and I think it's the most honorable thing a 
man or woman can do''.
  The battle of Iwo Jima resulted in 27 Medals of Honor being awarded 
to Marines and sailors, many posthumously, more than awarded for any 
other operation during World War II. Commander of the Pacific Fleet, 
ADM Chester Nimitz, immortalized the spirit of the battle noting that 
``among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a 
common virtue.'' The Marines present here today, as well as all of our 
military members serving around the globe, are continuously making 
sacrifices to protect our freedoms. I am certain that they, too, 
possess the uncommon valor which has made our Nation so strong in the 
past, and will keep her strong well into the future.
  Mr. DURBIN. Will the Senator yield for a question?
  Mrs. DOLE. Yes.
  Mr. DURBIN. At the outset, I thank my colleague from North Carolina 
for coming to the floor and reminding us of this wonderful chapter in 
American history, where the men who were on Iwo Jima and all the men 
and women who fought in World War II demonstrated such uncommon valor 
that inspires us even to this day. The story the Senator has told us of 
Mr. Lucas is nothing short of incredible: This 14-year-old boy 
performed feats of courage which are almost unparalleled. In fact, as 
the Senator noted, he is the youngest recipient of the Congressional 
Medal of Honor, which I am sure is a great source of pride.
  The first job I ever had as a college intern in the Senate was for 
Senator Paul Douglas of Illinois, who enlisted in the Marine Corps at 
the age of 50 and went through training at Parris Island, fought in 
Okinawa and was injured, as Senator Bob Dole was injured, with a 
serious injury to his left arm.
  I have always had a special spot in my heart for the men and women 
who serve in the Marine Corps, and I just want to join the Senator from 
North Carolina in making certain that this is bipartisan and 
nonpartisan in our salute to the Marine Corps, all the men and women in 
uniform, and particularly the great veterans of World War II and Iowa 
Germany.
  Mrs. DOLE. I thank the Senator for his comments.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I, too, want to commend Senator Dole for her 
stirring comments about the valiant Marines on Iwo Jima. My brother was 
a Marine officer. I followed not in the Marine Corps but to West Point, 
so one of us was right.

[[Page S2232]]



                          ____________________