[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H1031-H1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS OF UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS ON 60TH
ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF IWO JIMA
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 119) recognizing the contributions of the
United States Marine Corps and other units of the United States Armed
Forces on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo
Jima during World War II.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 119
Whereas 2005 marks the 60th anniversary of the Battle of
Iwo Jima, in which the United States Marine Corps and other
units of the United States Armed Forces assaulted and
captured the island of Iwo Jima during World War II;
[[Page H1032]]
Whereas the United States success in capturing Iwo Jima was
a crucial victory that provided a location for necessary
airbases to eventually win World War II in the Pacific
theatre;
Whereas, in recognition of the particularly hazardous
battlefield conditions experienced by the Marines and other
members of the United States Armed Forces on Iwo Jima,
Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, Fleet Admiral
Chester W. Nimitz stated that ``Among the men who fought on
Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.''; and
Whereas more than 70,000 Marines participated in the Battle
of Iwo Jima, of whom 17,372 Marines were wounded and 5,931
Marines made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives to
secure the cause of freedom and the United States victory in
the battle: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo
Jima; and
(2) recognizes and commends the members of the United
States Marine Corps and all other members of the United
States Armed Forces who participated in the Battle of Iwo
Jima for their sacrifice and contribution, with particular
honor given to those members of the Armed Forces who gave
their lives in defense of freedom during the Battle of Iwo
Jima.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Kline) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Butterfield) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).
General Leave
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), the original sponsor of House
Resolution 119.
Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, today is a day on which we are reminded of
how much we owe to the men and women of the Marine Corps who 60 years
ago took an island in the Pacific at great personal cost of life and
limb beyond that which we today could even begin to imagine. Of the
70,000 Marines who participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima, one in
four were wounded, some 17,000. Of them, nearly 6,000 lost their lives.
The invasion began on February 19. By February 23, we had declared that
we had taken the island. But that was the beginning, not the end, of
Iwo Jima. It continued for 31 more days. It was not until March 25 that
the island was truly safe from foreign fighters. That battle, one of
the longest for an island in the Pacific, has led to many stories, many
movies, each glorifying what was one of the toughest battles of the
war. Now, 60 years later, we are prepared to honor once again this
unique sacrifice.
If not for the taking of Iwo Jima, the war could have gone on for
months or even a year longer. If not for the taking of Iwo Jima, it was
very clear that the Marines would have had to fight island after island
around it for much longer. The Japanese knew this, and they defended
this small island as their last hope of retaining their position in the
Pacific.
I appreciate the Speaker taking this up today. I appreciate, most
importantly, Members of Congress supporting H. Res. 119 to remind the
men and women, the last of this generation who are still with us, that
we appreciate their sacrifices of World War II and particularly to my
Marines at Camp Pendleton in my district who are today deployed
primarily in Iraq and serving our country once again at great risk of
life.
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
During World War II, the island of Iwo Jima was strategically
located. It contained three airstrips which had been used to stage
kamikaze attacks on American ships. The island was home to three
airstrips which had been used to stage kamikaze attacks. Allied
generals believed that, if captured, the kamikazes would have to
operate from Okinawa and Kyushu while at the same time providing
American fighters airstrips close enough to Japan to escort B-29s
during missions on the mainland.
Iwo Jima became the first native Japanese soil invaded by Americans
in World War II, with approximately 60,000 Americans and 20,000
Japanese participating in the battle. On February 19, 1945, U.S.
Marines landed on Iwo Jima at 8:59 a.m., after 10 weeks of bombing from
carrier-based planes and medium bombers. A total force of 70,000
Marines were assembled for the invasion against a force of 27,000
Japanese. What followed was some of the most vicious fighting of the
entire war. On an island barely 8 square miles in size, the Japanese
forces constructed over 800 pillboxes and 3 miles of tunnels. The
volcanic ash on the island severely complicated landings.
On February 23, 1945, Mike Strank, Harlon Block, Franklin Sousley,
Ira Hayes, Rene Gagnon and John Bradley raised an American flag atop
Mount Suribachi. The raising of this flag was captured forever by
photographer Joe Rosenthal, and today, it stands immortalized less than
2 miles away from this Capitol.
Approximately one-third of all Marines killed in action in World War
II were killed at Iwo Jima, making Iwo Jima the battle with the highest
number of casualties in Marine Corps history with 7,000 killed and
13,000 wounded. Twenty-seven Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded
in the battle, more than were awarded to Marines and Navy in any other
battle in our country's history. After the capture of Iwo Jima, more
than 30,000 American airmen's lives were saved when more than 2,400
disabled B-29 bombers were able to make emergency landings at the Iwo
Jima airfield after making bombing flights over Japan.
{time} 1045
In 1968 the island was returned to Japan, and remains of Marines from
the Third, Fourth and Fifth Divisions were brought back to the U.S. for
burial. Today, Madam Speaker, we remember these young men and women who
fought for their country and made the world safe for their children.
Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague on this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).
Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Madam Speaker, I also stand in support of House Resolution 119. My
father served as a pilot of a landing craft during the Battle of Iwo
Jima, and it is an honor and a pleasure to recognize the sacrifice and
contributions of the United States Marine Corps and other services on
the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
I had the honor of meeting a humble hero of the Battle of Iwo Jima
sometime ago back in my district when we dedicated the Medal of Honor
Memorial at the Riverside National Cemetery. His name is Bob Bush, and
he received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service as a
medical corpsman with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, on May 2, 1945.
His citation reads like a scene from a John Wayne movie, but it is all
true:
``Fearlessly braving the fury of artillery, mortar, and machine-gun
fire from strongly entrenched hostile positions, Bush constantly and
unhesitatingly moved from one casualty to another to attend the wounded
falling under the enemy's murderous barrages. As the attack passed over
a ridge top, Bush was advancing to administer blood plasma to a Marine
officer lying wounded on the skyline when the Japanese launched a
savage counterattack. In this perilously exposed position, he
resolutely maintained the flow of life-giving plasma. With the bottle
held high in one hand, Bush drew his pistol with the other and fired
into the enemy's ranks until his ammunition was expended. Quickly
seizing his discarded carbine, he trained his fire on the Japanese
charging pointblank over the hill, accounting for six of the enemy
despite his own serious wounds and the loss of one eye suffered during
his desperate battle in defense of the helpless man. With the hostile
force finally routed, he calmly disregarded his own critical condition
to complete his mission, valiantly refusing medical treatment for
himself
[[Page H1033]]
until his officer patient had been evacuated, and collapsing only after
attempting to walk back to the battle aid station.''
Madam Speaker, his humility is typical of those who braved the sands
of Iwo Jima, and I proudly support this resolution offered by my good
friend from California.
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume
to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).
Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 119,
recognizing the many contributions of the United States Marine Corps
and other U.S. Armed Forces on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of
the Battle of Iwo Jima. I want to thank the gentleman from California
(Mr. Issa) for introducing this important resolution.
Iwo Jima stands out as one of the defining moments in the Battle of
the Pacific and is one of the defining moments in the history of the
United States Marine Corps. The Marines fought in World War II for over
3\1/2\ years, yet in the span of just 1 month in Iwo Jima, they
suffered nearly one-third of their total deaths. This heroic sacrifice
ensured the freedom and liberty that we enjoy today.
The people of Guam have a special understanding of the kind of valor
and heroism demonstrated by the U.S. Marine Corps during the Battle of
the Pacific in World War II, for it was the Marines who led the charge
in the liberation of our own island from the Japanese occupation. The
Marines, fighting in defense of freedom, brought hope to the Chamorro
people of Guam in a time of great oppression and fear. Last year I
joined nearly 50 Marines who took part in the liberation of Guam in
laying a wreath at the Arlington National Cemetery to honor their great
sacrifice and courage on behalf of our grateful people.
I will be joining the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) and the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) on a trip to Iwo Jima to pay
tribute to the U.S. Marines for this, the 60th anniversary of the
Battle of Iwo Jima. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) is not able
to make it to the floor to speak on this resolution as he is currently
in a veterans hearing in the Senate, but I do know that he, too, is
very supportive, and will include his statement for the Record.
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, today we recognize the contributions of the United
States Marine Corps, an organization which I was proud to serve for 25
years in active duty. We also honor every member of the United States
Armed Forces on this the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Sixty years ago, U.S. Marines invaded the small Pacific island of Iwo
Jima. Most Americans associate this event with the powerful Pulitzer
Prize-winning image of the Marines raising a flag above Mount
Suribachi. What many Americans may not realize, however, is that the
emblematic photo, which has become a symbol of American bravery and
victory, does not capture the first flag-raising at Iwo Jima that day.
Two different groups of heroes planted American flags at Iwo Jima on
Mount Suribachi on that day in February of 1945, and the achievement of
both groups provided and continues to provide inspiration to defenders
of freedom everywhere.
The sole survivor from either flag-raising group is Minnesota's own
Charles Lindberg. On that seminal day in February, Corporal Lindberg
and five fellow Marines reached the base of Mount Suribachi after
several days of fighting and thousands of casualties. The next morning
the battalion commander, Colonel Chandler Johnson, sent them to the
summit with an American flag and orders, ``If you get to the top, raise
it.''
And raise it they did. The flag raised by Corporal Lindberg and his
fellow Marines provided an immediately recognizable image of victory
and became an inspiration to all who saw it. In describing the reaction
to their flag raising, Corporal Lindberg states, ``Boy, then the island
came alive down below. The troops started to cheer, the ships' whistles
went off. It was quite a proud moment.''
Perhaps sensing the significance of the moment, a commander below
ordered a second group to raise a larger, more stable flag in its
place. Four hours after the first flag-raising, Associated Press
photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the image of the second flag-
raising, which is now recognized throughout the world. The second
raising and the photograph which captured it complemented the efforts
of Corporal Lindberg and his fellow Marines and enabled Americans at
home, as well as the world, to share the same symbol of bravery and
victory with the victorious Americans on Iwo Jima.
Both of these groups deserve our gratitude, as do all the men and
women who served on Iwo Jima and elsewhere during World War II. The
symbol of the flag over Iwo Jima reflects the enduring triumph of
freedom and democracy, the very things for which our men and women in
uniform continue to fight today.
We have much to learn from the tenacity and dedication of the brave
heroes of World War II, and I am grateful for this opportunity to
recognize their efforts today.
And to you, Corporal Charles Lindberg, from one Marine to another, I
salute you from the floor of the House of Representatives in admiration
and gratitude for your courage, bravery, and valor. Semper Fi.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, there were so many of our colleagues today who
intended to come down and speak on this very important subject and
express their admiration and praise for those Marines on Iwo Jima 60
years ago; but as has been mentioned, some of them are involved in a
joint hearing on veterans affairs and doing the work that brought them
here.
I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina
(Mr. Butterfield), for the discussion today and urge all of my
colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Iwo Jima
Resolution.
For all who bear its scars, the battle for Iwo Jima still looms
gargantuan, unbelievable, devouring. It is not measurable by any past
battles. The battle of Iwo Jima is unique in its own setting.
First, it was the longest aerial campaign of World War II.
Incredibly, this ferocious bombardment had little effect. Hardly any of
the Japanese underground fortresses were touched.
Four miles long, shaped like a pork chop and covering 7\1/2\ miles,
Iwo Jima had no front lines and no rear lines--every inch of the island
was a battleground and a graveyard. U.S Marines--Active and Reserves,
were forced to take one of the most heavily fortified objectives in
military history.
Over 110,000 Marines in 880 ships took part in the operation. Over
7,000 Marines and 20,000 Japanese soldiers lost their lives fighting
the fiercest Marine Corps battle of the Pacific Theater in World War
II.
For America, it was the front door step to the Japanese heartland and
the beginning of the end to an awful war. For the 22,000 Japanese
defenders, Iwo Jima was the defense of their very hearths and homes as
if it were a part of Tokyo.
The island's defenses were built and fortified over a period of
several years. There were complex, subterranean levels, some two
stories down.
Heavy fire made it impossible to land men in an orderly manner and
confusion reigned on the beaches. From these the defenders could
approach the Marines on the surface virtually anywhere, through
warrens, spider holes, caves, and crevices.
Japanese soldiers were given a direct order to each kill ten
Marines--and for a large part of the battle, they were meeting their
quotas. Some 2,300 Marines were killed or wounded in the first 18 hours
of the operation.
At great cost, the Marines would take a hill only to find the same
enemy suddenly on their rear or flank positions. The enemy was nowhere
and everywhere, especially at night. The Japanese were not on Iwo
Jima--they were in it!
Madam Speaker, war is hell, and Iwo Jima was the devil's living room.
Historians have described the U.S. attack as ``throwing human flesh
against reinforced concrete.'' In the end, the battle was won inch-by-
inch by the tenacity of the foot soldier. One in three Marines on Iwo
Jima would either be killed or wounded, including 19 of 24 battalion
commanders. Twenty-seven Marines and naval medical corpsmen earned the
Medal of
[[Page H1034]]
Honor--more than in any other battle in history--13 of them
posthumously.
Madam Speaker, the bravery demonstrated on Iwo Jima has become the
standard to which all Marines now aspire when in combat. The battle has
come to define a Corps with a rich tradition and colorful history. It
underlies the Marine Corps' core values of honor, courage and
commitment.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the American
patriots who fought bravely and triumphantly in one of the most iconic
battles in our Nation's history.
Sixty years ago, thousands of men left their homes and families to
fight for our security, liberty, and democracy. They fought, not
because they had to, but because they chose to--choosing to confront an
enemy they could not see, in a place they did not know.
Over 450 Navy ships unloaded 75,000 American soldiers onto the tiny
Pacific island of Iwo Jima and faced a blistering assault from an
entrenched and virtually invisible Japanese army.
Despite the massive geographical advantage of the Japanese and the
loss of almost 2,500 soldiers on the first day alone, our soldiers
marched fearlessly forward to meet their hidden enemy.
After 36 day's, victory was in hand but not before 7,000 Americans
and 20,000 Japanese were killed.
This image of victory over adversity is ingrained in our history
through the symbolic, yet evocative image of six American servicemen
planting a salvaged American flag on top of Mount Suribachi in Iwo
Jima.
Though the battle lasted twice as long as expected, the commitment of
our men and women in uniform to the ideals of freedom and peace never
wavered. Their steadfast belief in themselves and our Nation remains a
beacon of selflessness and sacrifice for all Americans.
For those who still defend our country and those who fight for the
principles upon which this Nation was founded, the men and women of Iwo
Jima provide an opportunity for hope.
Their actions will forever stir our hearts and rouse our belief in
the human spirit. It is because of this that we will always be thankful
to the soldiers of Iwo Jima.
Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, as 2005 marks the sixtieth year since the
battle of Iwo Jima, it is appropriate that the House take this
opportunity to recognize the sacrifice of the Marines who fought and
died in that great battle.
Winning the battle of Iwo Jima was among the most significant
victories of the U.S. Marines during World War II. In the Pacific, Iwo
Jima was the critical air base from which Japan's fighters prevented
American bombers from reaching their targets in mainland Japan. Because
Japanese commanders understood the strategic importance of defending
the island, it was protected by more than six hundred blockhouses,
pillboxes and gun positions. For the Japanese, Allied control of Iwo
Jima meant allowing the enemy a base from which to attack the Japanese
mainland, an outcome that they were committed to preventing at all
cost. After more than six months of Allied aerial bombardment of the
island, on D-Day, February 19, 1945, U.S. Marines invaded Iwo Jima,
raising the first American flag on Mount Suribachi 4 days later.
Despite raising the flag on February 23, the bloody fighting continued
for 31 more days until the last pocket of resistance was eliminated on
March 25.
More than 70,000 Marines participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima.
Before the battle ended 17,372 Marines were wounded and 5,931 Marines
made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom in securing the
Allied victory. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz said, ``Among the men
who fought at Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.'' Our
Nation owes each of the men who fought and died at Iwo Jima its deepest
gratitude.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent the fine Marines of Marine
Corps Camp Pendleton. I am privileged to serve these exceptional
Americans every day and to have the opportunity to continuously witness
their selfless service and constant devotion to our nation. In 3 days
Members of this body will travel to Iwo Jima to participate in the
formal commemoration of the battle and of the example of courage and
determination set by those who fought there, which Marines today strive
ever to follow. As we gather in that solemn place to reflect on the
immense sacrifices made there, the House, by passing this resolution
will have done its part to honor our nation's commitment to those
Marines never to forget the value of their sacrifices. I urge the
adoption of this resolution.
Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res.
119, a bill to recognize the contributions of the United States Marine
Corps and other units of the United States Armed Forces on the 60th
Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. By capturing this isolated,
eight square mile island in the Pacific, the men and women of our Armed
Forces ensured victory in World War II. U.S. control of Iwo Jima
removed the island as a staging ground for kamikaze attacks, ensured
that B-29 bombers would continue to fly missions to mainland Japan and
allowed U.S. planes traveling in the Pacific to use the island for
emergency landings.
Despite facing 22,000 Japanese soldiers hidden in bunkers inside the
hills of Iwo Jima, American soldiers successfully charged through miles
of open space to capture control of the island in a little more than a
month. Their sacrifices were many. Nearly one in three men were killed
or wounded, making the Battle of Iwo Jima the source of one-third of
all Marine deaths in World War II. In fact, three of the six men who
famously raised the American flag over Mt. Suribachi died during the
Battle. Yet Iwo Jima's survivors often refused to acknowledge their
heroic service, often citing the friends who died beside them as the
only heroes of the battle.
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz commented in 1945 that ``by their victory,
the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth
Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only
history will be able to value fully.'' Sixty years later, the United
States remains free, Japan is now one of our closest allies and the
grandsons and granddaughters of those who served at Iwo Jima are again
defending freedom abroad with the same determination and love for their
country. I am confident that the Battle of Iwo Jima will continue to be
a shining example of American military success for generations to come.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud
cosponsor of H. Res. 119, which recognizes the contributions of the
United States Marine Corps and other units of the United States Armed
Forces on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo
Jima during World War II. Truly, this great battle served as a
watershed moment for the United States in World War II. After capturing
Iwo Jima, the United States Armed Forces were able to have a staging
ground for the aerial assault that would help defeat the Japanese
Empire. However, this great victory did not come without great
sacrifice. More than 70,000 Marines participated in the Battle of Iwo
Jima, 17,372 Marines were wounded and 5,931 Marines made the ultimate
sacrifice for this Nation in this decisive battle in war, the likes of
which the world had never before seen.
Today in this body we take the time to recognize those who fought in
the Battle of Iwo Jima and indeed all Americans who fought in World War
II. It was Edmund Burke who once aptly stated: ``The only thing
necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'' The
birth of our Nation itself was due to good men who refused to submit to
an unjust rule; and it is that same spirit that guided those who fought
in World War II. It has been said that the generation that came back
from fighting World War II was in fact the `greatest generation' and I
would be hard pressed to disagree. Our brave soldiers went across the
world to far away places like Iwo Jima to save massacred peoples; they
had no choice but victory. Even now, we look back in pain and imagine
the horror that could have been had they not been successful. They came
back from this truly global war and raised a new generation of
Americans. They created the greatest middle-class ever seen in the
history of the world. Their domestic success ensured a great future for
our Nation, their success abroad ensured life and liberty for millions
around the world.
The great memory of Iwo Jima is best personified by the picture of
six American soldiers raising our national flag amidst this great
battle. The picture personified the American spirit in World War II, we
struggled against a powerful opponent, but we persevered and did not
succumb under the relentless pressure. In the end, we won the Battle of
Iwo Jima and World War II, solely through the sacrifice and great
courage of our American Armed Forces. We owe them our appreciation and
we owe it to them to keep the memory of their heroic actions alive for
future generations of Americans.
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Miller of Michigan). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 119.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________