Today we visited the small island of Tinian – just a skip and a jump away from Saipan and roughly half the size of its larger neighbor. As we flew over the Pacific in a little 8-seater single engine plane (and keeping in fashion with the American tourist stereotype, snapping pictures of the shores left and right from the window), I envisioned the battle to take the island. Amphibious tractors pull up to White Beach 1 and 2’s reef and unload thousands of Marines equipped with M-1 rifles. They storm the beaches under heavy fire from Japanese soldiers.

This scene is a typical portrayal of World War II in the Pacific Theater. In fact, it could probably be a scene out of any war movie. However, although the scene is largely accurate, storming of beaches and hand-to-hand combat were not the only determining factors as to why the United States won WWII and defeated Japan.

Tinian was a particularly significant strategic location, having an airfield and serving as a command post for the Japanese. After Tinian fell to U.S. forces, the island was left not in the hands of the Marines, but in the hands of a group often left out of the books, movies, and certainly out of our own portrayals. That group was the Navy Seabees.

The Seabees were naval engineers who cleared the war zones and built roads, airfields, ports, and other critical logistical installations. My veteran partner and a second class seaman in the Seabees, Joe LaNier, recalls being stuck in a foxhole for nearly two months on Iwo Jima because of the intense fighting – hearing the roaring of planes, bombs, and the pain of American and Japanese fighting men. After the fighting died down, he worked in the carpentry shop cutting wood for floor boards, which were used in various buildings such as headquarters or hospital quarters for the wounded. He told me at one point that though he was not fighting on the front lines, he and the other Seabees were an essential part of U.S. forces in World War II. Without the Seabees, the occupied islands would be useless and not the supply ports or airfields they became.

The Seabees’ impact on Tinian in particular was similar to what was described above, but with the exception of one important detail: the North Field Runway Able. Still don’t know the significance? This is the runway from which the Enola Gay took off with Little Boy – the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

Stretching about 8,000 feet, the group of veterans and students rode the entire length on the coach bus – actually going fast enough that I thought we would take off! The bus finally reached the end of the runway and I pictured the Enola Gay lifting off above the vegetation and wild flowers. As we exited the bus, another veteran, Sergeant E. Bruce Heilman remarked, “The bomb that changed everything.” The other vets nodded their heads in silent and calm agreement. It seemed they were at peace. I observed the same calm and composed reaction when we visited the two pits where the atomic bombs were stored and ultimately loaded onto the B-29s that would deliver them to Japanese soil.

Tinian’s airfields were among the busiest in the world during World War II. Without the Seabees, countless supplies would have never been sent, airstrikes never delivered, the atomic bombs would not have been dropped, and the bloodshed may have not ended for years to come. Because the Seabees built that runway, the end of the war was finally in sight for America and Japan.

I discovered on this trip that no matter what rank, position, or branch of the military in which our veterans served, they all sacrificed and contributed to the war significantly and valiantly. The next time you think of World War II, remember the Marines, the Army, and the Navy, but also remember the Seabees’ contributions to victory.

The Greatest Generations Foundation
Remember Those Who Served
www.tggf.org

 Today our group visited the tiny Pacific island of Saipan. Despite its small size, gaining control of the island was very important to the American war effort. Thus, today was a very busy day, and we visited many different sites. The first places our group visited were the iconic Suicide and Banzai cliffs. These are important in history because thousands of Japanese civilians, either willfully or under the threat of force, jumped off the cliffs to their deaths instead of facing capture by the American forces. It was here that my veteran, Sergeant Ike Rigell of the 4th Marine Division, while looking over the cliffs, captured the spirit of the visit. On these cliffs, Ike was concerned with feeling what the Japanese families must have been dealing with as they peered out over the cliff. I thought that his empathy and general overall concern for these Japanese families was one of the most important things I have learned on this trip from him. Here we have a U.S. marine, who served on Saipan throughout the campaign and avoided death from these same Japanese on numerous occasions; and yet, he wasn’t concerned with his own trials. All he was concerned with was the plight of these Japanese families, a plight that he regrets them going through. This open display of empathy toward an enemy was inspiring to say the least, and a lesson I will take with me for the rest of my life.

We then held a short memorial service at the American Memorial Park for the 2,949 members of the armed forces who gave their lives serving their country on Saipan. After this we went into the jungles of the island to visit the Japanese defenses at the As Lito airfield and Naftan point. This was a particularly interesting experience. These stone ruins, living remnants of the battles that occurred on Saipan, painted a picture of what the American troops faced sixty-eight years ago as they fought their way across the island. They are also indicative of how the island has changed since those battles. These ruins are buried deep within the jungle, among thick foliage that did not exist during the invasion. One consistent comment from Ike on all of the islands we have visited thus far is how much green plant life now exists. This goes to show that just as the veterans have gone through a healing process since they left the war, so to have the islands. We finished the day by passing through many of the infamous sections of the island where particularly fierce fighting occurred such as Hell’s Pocket, Purple Heart Ridge, and Death Valley. The day concluded with a trek to the summit of Mount Tapochau. It was here that General Saito decided to make his last stand, and its capture spelled the symbolic end of the battle for Saipan. All told, almost the entire Japanese force of 30,000 was killed defending the island.

Ike landed on Saipan on an Amtrak. During the course of his Amtrak’s progression towards the beach, both of the Amtraks on either side of him were disabled by enemy fire. When he finally got to the beach, he and Jerry Foley, a friend of his, jumped into the nearest cover, which happened to be a bomb crater from enemy artillery. It was in this hole that he spent the night under constant attack from enemy salvos. He admits that during this barrage he was “scared to death” and he “didn’t know where to go.” I keep trying to imagine the scene in my head, and I have found that although I can clearly picture the scene, I can’t begin to grasp what it would be like to go through a night like that. On this night Ike was slightly wounded. He took a piece of shrapnel to the chin, which cut him. When he got it cleaned up, the medic recommended him for a Purple Heart, but Ike requested that his name be taken off the list because he didn’t feel his injury was severe enough to warrant it. This modesty, as I have come to notice over this past week, is one of the defining characteristics of my veteran.

As I have talked with Ike and he has told me about his experience in the war and in life thereafter, I have come to realize one thing. The war stories are not simply stories about what occurred here in the Pacific during World War II. Yes, listening to these veterans stories has been a great experience, and honoring their actions is a very important aspect of this trip. But to me, these stories aren’t just memories on actions past; they are a window into a way of life. This way of life was forged on these islands, on the beaches and in the jungles where these men fought for and died for each other. This war defined their generation’s character; a character cultivated by what these men went through here in the Pacific.

Throughout the week, hidden within Ike’s stories I have seen courage, humility, an acute sense of empathy, honor, and selflessness; all trademarks of a virtuous life. These stories have taught me not just about the war, but also about how to live life, and I believe this will be greatest legacy of this trip. It is because of men like Ike that their generation has truly earned the designation of “The Greatest Generation,” and I am truly grateful to have been able to spend this last week with him.

On the morning of Friday, March 16th, 2012, I appreciated the beautiful view from my hotel balcony as I waited to rally with my fellow OSU students and WWII veterans to tour the military sites across Saipan. I was struck by the sense of calm embedded in the soft swishing of the palm leaves and the cool crashing of the ocean waves below. Despite such apparent tranquility, my mind was on edge. This peaceful scene readily conflicted with the stories of mortal combat I had heard throughout my visits to Guam and Iwo Jima. The startling contrast between the past ferocity of war and present serenity of paradise was even more noticeable in Saipan.

We first traveled to Suicide Cliff where thousands of Japanese civilians were compelled to perish on the jagged rocks below instead of be captured by American forces. Deceptive propaganda tactics and desperate Japanese soldiers had convinced mothers that hurling their babies off the edge was their only alternative. Witnessing the site of such innocent bloodshed was chilling to me even after discounting the steady 35 mph winds. However, seeing a smiling Japanese boy running between the memorials lightened my heart considerably and reminded me how far we have come regarding the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Japan. The Banzai Cliffs awakened similar feelings. I was mesmerized by the stunning hues of blue and green in the seawater as they crashed into dark, ominous precipices. Such admiration for the brilliance of nature painfully juxtaposed with my imaginings of Japanese soldiers launching themselves into the Pacific Ocean. Next, we visited the command bunker of General Saito and American Memorial Park where we laid wreaths for all our fallen heroes and those Saipanese civilians who lost their lives during the Japanese occupation.

The afternoon was time for exploring. We ventured into the dense depths of the jungle to study rusting artillery, crumbling Japanese bunkers, weathered gun emplacements, and the Aslito Complex, an air base used by both the Japanese and Americans. As we traversed the narrow, rocky roads to reach these places, I noted the power of nature as it attempted to swallow history with its dark green vegetation. I immediately recalled the importance of my role as a young historian working to preserve the experiences of these brave WWII veterans for future generations. I will strive to fulfill this responsibility throughout my life. As a last hoorah after a very long and gratifying day, we journeyed to the top of Mt. Tapochau and surveyed the magnificence of the entire island.

Throughout this tour of Saipan, I had the distinct privilege of accompanying World War II veteran, Sergeant Lewis H. Seago, known informally as Lew. His role in the war was particularly interesting to me because it relates to my university studies of Security & Intelligence. On Saipan and Iwo Jima, Lew served in a specialized unit of 35 men called Air Warning Squadron 5 in the 4th Marine Division that was tasked with spotting enemy personnel, artillery, land vehicles, and aircraft. He went through a rigorous recognition program and advanced infantry training in preparation for this assignment. In essence, Lew was a radio operator who covertly collected tactical intelligence that was reported back to command for use in upcoming missions. I think he should be known as the spy of Saipan. His heroic contributions helped his unit earn a Presidential Citation.

Lew is a man of few words but incredible insights. His actions spoke volumes about his impressions of returning to the Pacific. Throughout the day, Lew was most interested in the natural wonders of Saipan. He determinedly looked to collect different plant life near the sites such as the pod of a beautiful orange blossom tree called the Flame Tree. I was happy to help with his search. In the areas of the gun emplacements, he focused on picking out some pretty seashells beneath the few remaining stone overhangs. The only moment Lew strongly reacted was when we saw Hill 500. One of his most dangerous operations in the war occurred here. He described how he and two other men were carrying out reconnaissance up on Hill 500 when they saw at least 15 Japanese soldiers heading their way. The three Americans camped out for many hours in the undergrowth as they managed to avoid detection. Ultimately, they were forced to call in an air strike to secure their escape. They watched as two fighter planes wiped out the enemy and freed a path for them to safety.

Other than this incident, Lew showed little outward emotion as he walked the lands of a place once ravaged by war. He said quite a few times how amazed he was at the amount of vegetation and development on the island. I expressed similar observations especially when passing the sites of the landing beaches. It was hard to visualize 71,000 troops storming the island with buildings and trees lining the shores. I think it was difficult for Lew as well to remember the death and decay from nearly seven decades ago while witnessing today such relatively incredible prosperity. When I asked him about his feelings about touring Saipan, he answered very simply that he found everything very interesting and felt a sense of closure. I have certainly noticed a sort of internal peace inside Lew throughout this trip. As he stared out into the sea atop Banzai Cliff, I could tell he had come to terms with the horrors of war. He also mentioned the most moving part of today for him was the ceremony in honor of the veterans at the American Memorial Park. Lew explained how he was initially surprised and extremely appreciative that such upstanding people recognized his service.

The final question I asked Lew before we finished dinner was whether or not he found Saipan captivating even during his time spent in the throes of fighting. He admitted despite the brutality of battle, there was still a hidden beauty embedded in the tropical wonders of Saipan. It was this juxtaposition between war and paradise touched on before that has really defined this trip for me. As we enjoyed the spoils of five star hotels and luxurious dinners, I initially struggled to connect with the trials and tribulations these brave veterans endured on Guam, Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Tinian. However, their stories and wisdom have ultimately broadened my understanding of World War II in the Pacific.

First Account by Andrew Elmhamy Eskander

For the veterans of The Greatest Generation Foundation, Iwo Jima was the milestone event of this trip. My veteran, Sergeant Al Eutsey, landed in the first wave of the attack on Green Beach, the landing site closest to Mount Suribachi. During our visit, Al stood at the top of Suribachi recalling the landing. “The beach was quite a mess,” he said.  “The sand was up to my knees and the objective was on the other side of the island. It took me 120 minutes to get across.” Al considered himself lucky that he was in the first wave of the assault because, he would come to find out, and the Japanese were waiting for the Marines to accumulate on the beach to maximize the effect of their fire. Although Al survived the landing, his mission would present dangers much worse, as he was ordered to ignore all Japanese pillboxes and positions in order to surprise the enemy and cut the mountain from the rest of the island. Al was no longer facing an enemy head-on but was surrounded, having pushed through without securing the area.  Al’s only movement could be forward as retreating would be a death sentence. Al was deep behind enemy lines spearheading the invasion. He was lucky to survive the initial push through Iwo Jima.

 Al made it halfway up Suribachi but was then tasked with another objective– Hill 362 A, the second highest peak of the mountain.  By possessing it, the Americans would control the high ground commanding the entire island. Without hesitation, Al moved forward toward his objective. During his attack a mortar landed within feet of him and shrapnel tore through the side of his chest.

In that moment, the battle for Iwo Jima was no longer Al’s battle to fight. The corpsman ran to Al’s aid, using gauze to plug his wound. “He kept putting more and more in my side,” Al recalled. “I told him he better stop or he would run out of gauze!” Al was taken by stretcher to the beach in order to be evacuated. But his fellow Marines who were carrying him once again came under heavy fire. Al, thrown into a ditch and completely immobile, waited to be picked up and loaded into a Jeep. Finally, Al was evacuated to Guam. After a month of recovery, he was sent back to the continental United States to see the war conclude at his home in Pennsylvania.

Al would not see many of the fellow Marines he served with until a reunion some fifty years later. At that reunion, he met a man who remembered him. The man was one of the stretcher bearers and he asked if Al remembered being thrown in the ditch. “I told him yes!” Al recalled. “Why did you do that?” The man raised his hand, showing that one finger was shorter than the others.  He explained that he had been hit by a Japanese round and, in order to save Al’s life, he sent him tumbling down.

Al’s experience on Iwo Jima was unique to him and never truly can be explained to or felt by those of us listening. Even among veterans, the war was different to each man. Al’s duty in war stayed buried deep within himself, a pain he buried for years out of love for his family and life. Returning to Iwo Jima and reaching Suribachi was an eye-opening experience for me. For Al, the return to Iwo Jima brought closure to a hero who never once thought of his own hardships, but only of the men under his command who lost their lives.

Andrew Elmhamy Eskander History 698
March 14, 2012
The Greatest Generations Foundation – Connecting Generation Program

Second Account by Michael Peter Tabor

            My veteran, Sergeant Major “Iron” Mike Mervosh, described the fighting on Iwo Jima as the perfect battle. There was no collateral damage, and it was just fighting man versus fighting man. Kill or be killed. The only choice was to take the island or die trying. He is a firm believer that another perfect battle like Iwo Jima will not happen for another thousand years.

This struck me as particularly profound. As fierce as the fighting had been on the island, Iron Mike had said it perfectly. From my view on top of Mount Suribachi, I could imagine exactly what he was talking about. He pointed out the farthest right beach from Mount Suribachi, Blue Beach Two: his invasion beach. He described the intense fighting, where they would constantly try to dig fighting holes to provide some cover. In his words, as soon as you removed a shovel full of thick volcanic ash, another would just refill in its place. For thirty six days, the men in his company fought from those fox holes for precious feet and sometimes inches. The fighting was so fierce, in fact, that in the Boat Basin just to the right of Blue Beach Two, Iron Mike said his right arm got so sore because he threw more grenades than he fired his rifle. They would take a pillbox or block house and believe it was clear of Japanese, move on, only to discover that a new Japanese machine gun crew had reoccupied the pillbox in their rear using the cave system. They would have to go and re-clear the defenses all over again.

While on Guam, we got to see military working dogs. Iron Mike didn’t want to interact with the dogs, and he told me to ask him about it on Iwo Jima. While on Iwo Jima, he said that they had some dogs attached to his company. One of the dog handlers saw just how tired Iron Mike looked, so he offered to have his dog stand watch while Mike slept. Everything was all fine until they started getting shelled by Japanese artillery. The dog dove into the fighting hole Iron Mike and his battle buddy were sharing, trying to wedge itself under the two men. When he tried to move the dog, the dog snarled at him. Iron Mike decided it wasn’t worth risking a bite, so he just dug his own fox hole, but he has never liked military dogs ever since.

Iron Mike has a story for everything, but perhaps one of the funniest is about the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. He had heard rumors about the flag raising so he took out some binoculars to try and see it. Apparently there was a Japanese sniper in the area, who mistook Iron Mike for an officer because of his binoculars. Luckily for Mike, the sniper wasn’t very good, because he only hit him in the cartridge belt. Iron Mike quickly dropped the binoculars and said, “You missed me you bastard.” He never again used the binoculars on the island.

Being paired with Iron Mike has been the highlight of this trip. He has stories about everything. Some are serious and straight to the point, while others are hilarious. Being on top of Mount Suribachi and listening to him describe the fighting was surreal and it is something I will not soon forget. I am honored to call Iron Mike a friend and be able to pass on his stories.

Michael Peter Tabor History 698
March 14, 2012
The Greatest Generations Foundation – Connecting Generation Program

Third Account by Caitlin Taylor Bentley

Corporal David C. Greene came ashore on Iwo Jima in a Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel, or LCVP on 19 February 1945. The coxswain synchronized the timing of the landing with the crest of a strong wave and the men of the 26^th Marines were carried ashore, making their landing at Red Beach 1, below and to the right of Mount Suribachi. Today, Greene, along with three Navy and seven other Marine veterans, returned for the first time in sixty-seven years. On this kite-shaped island of only eight square miles, nearly 28,000 out of the 72,000 American soldiers committed were killed or wounded during thirty-six days of combat. On the return flight from Iwo Jima to Guam Greene said that it struck him that the seizure of Guam, an island of 270 square miles, despite its size, resulted in the loss of far fewer casualties.

Upon our arrival on Iwo Jima, Greene and I walked down to site of the landing beach to gather sand and touch the waves invading soldiers waded through so many years before, with sand and rocks for his grandchildren in-hand, Greene and I took a bus to the top of Mount Suribachi. After pointing out the beach on which he had landed, he took a small American flag and held it out, parallel to the shore, for a photo. This man, who had risked his life for his country, was now ensuring that the students, from elementary schools he frequently visits, could touch a flag flown from the top of Mount Suribachi, much like the one that garnered so much attention in 1945. His mission, like that of all of the men with whom we were travelling, is a simple one: to be certain that subsequent generations, not only know about the harrowing events of World War II, but also become emotionally invested in the stories. As The Greatest Generations Foundation aptly quotes, “Never Forget”— a phrase that was left on a wall in Dachau, but resonates with all who serve and each citizen for whom they fought.

Having met his first goal for the trip, Greene sat down for the joint U.S.-Japanese commemoration ceremony. Watching as the American and Japanese flags overlapped in the wind and listening to representatives of each nation give speeches calling for peace and paying respects to the valiant men who left this world too soon, Greene fought back a wave of emotion. Afterwards, we walked down through the volcanic sand once more. On the walk back, as we paused to watch whales play in the surf offshore, a crew from a Japanese news station paused and asked if he would speak with them. Consenting, he began to tell the tale of when he first arrived during the war, but then he told a story that was more remarkable than the bravery of which he first spoke. It was the story of his life after the war. During the 1970s, he and his family took in exchange students from Japan and stayed incredibly close with them over the years. As he said to the reporters “the hate is gone, maybe not for all, but for me, the hate is gone.” It is not just tolerance of which he spoke, however. This is a man who sincerely appreciates and enjoys the culture and people of a nation with whom he once had been in brutal combat. Having finished his interview he said goodbye to them in Japanese. This day was certainly an attempt to heal the relationship between the two nations, and for a man who seems to have done so long ago, it was simply another opportunity to find closure. While I cannot say with any degree of certainty what it meant to him, I know that for me, words cannot express the amount I have learned or what the experience has meant to me.

Caitlin Taylor Bentley History 698
March 14, 2012
The Greatest Generations Foundation – Connecting Generation Program

Our rally on Tuesday, March 13th consisted of a very detail-oriented tour surrounding the Battle of Guam, fought nearly seven decades ago. Frequent stops throughout the War in the Pacific National Historical Park (maintained by the U.S. National Park Service) illustrated the sheer ferocity encompassing the scope of the conflict. Having read about the battle, and having interviewed numerous veterans from this particular campaign, I considered the ability to walk these very grounds and retrace history a rewarding experience. Furthermore, it was a special high honor and a privilege to walk these hallowed grounds with a veteran of the conflict – a veteran, I might add, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy at very young age of 15 years.

Accompanying me throughout our battlefield tour, 87-year-old Indianapolis native Jim Baize recalled his time as an LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle Personnel) driver during the 1944 invasion of Guam. On our first stop at the park, Mr. Baize explained his duties ferrying U.S. Marines to the landing beaches of Asan as a 16-year old sailor. Upon gazing at the stretch of landing beaches, I tried to envision the 16-year-old version of myself driving U.S. Marines ashore while taking substantial fire from the hills concealing Japanese positions. Looking out to sea, I conceptualized a massive armada of U.S. forces closing in on the ever clearer water and pristine sandy beaches. I envisioned how what today is a truly beautiful site was once strewn with carnage and chaos. Gazing upon the hills, I imagined the entrenched Japanese forces firing against the approaching U.S. Marines and Sailors. I then proceeded to look towards Mr. Baize, attempting to envision the then-teenage sailor, delivering troops towards the hellish scenes on shore. It reminded me that these epic turning points of World War II were fought by a truly patriotic generation – The Greatest Generation – who risked everything and wished for nothing in return.

Following our tour of the landing beaches, our group embarked further inland, arriving at the principal Japanese command post dug into the side of a mountain high-up in the hills. Upon entering the bunker, I carefully scanned the inside searching for remnants of the once-mighty Japanese war machine. Having examined the site of Japanese military leadership, our group arrived atop a hill, offering a key vantage point to further our understanding of the battle of Guam. A panoramic image was now presented, in which we were able to imagine the U.S. invasion forces conducting their amphibious assaults on the beaches below. After our recon on the hills, we trekked down to the beaches further south where two Japanese gun emplacements remained intact, still facing out to sea – a chilling reminder of the past, conveying the force that the U.S. had to quell. In closing, the battlefield tour offered a chance to relive history, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with a veteran who bore personal witness to those hellish scenes nearly seven decades ago. My time spent with this aged and humble warrior enlightened me about the human side of the battle, reminding me of the ever-present personal aspect to war. All gave some, some gave all.

Kyle Nappi History 698
March 13, 2012
The Greatest Generations Foundation – Connecting Generation Program

Day One: The Historic Journey Begins

 “I feel as spoiled as one of my grandkids.”- Ralph Whitlock, U.S. Navy

Twelve Pacific Theatre veterans connected in Los Angeles Friday March 9, 2012 after hours of travel and decades of built-up memories.  After just a few hours sleep, our group received a spectacular send-off with the Patriot Guard and police escort and it just kept getting better. 

Our partners on this journey – American Airlines & Air Compassion for Veterans – did an outstanding job in making our twelve men feel like the heroes they are.  U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton provided escorts and the colors during ceremony at our gate prior to boarding.  American flags and yellow ribbons made for the perfect backdrop.

Thanks to American, our veterans were upgraded to first class for the flight to Honolulu and received incredible service and care from the crew.  When the captain informed the cabin of the special VIP guests, the entire plane broke out in applause.  It is this type of outward appreciation that makes what we do here at TGGF so rewarding. The American Airlines hospitality continued when we landed in Hawaii during a layover reception at the Governor’s Lounge.  Here was the perfect time for our students and faculty from The Ohio State University to connect with their veterans and learn about their pasts: the 15-year-old enlistee; the first African-American to return to Iwo Jima; the Purple Heart recipients; the boys who landed on D-Day.

From there, it was a nearly eight-hour flight to Guam… a long journey for anyone, let alone our men: the youngest eighty-five; oldest eighty-nine. Tired and beat, the vets settled in to their rooms at the Hilton Guam, situated near beaches liberated by US forces in July 1944. The vets and students have bonded as they have traveled through battlefields, beach front landing strips and Japanese overlooks.  The students have heard first-hand accounts of life during war and of the fear and the pride that comes from fighting for freedom. A highlight was the visit to The Pacific War Museum, where USMC (RET) Capt. Dale Dye led a group discussion on the strategy for taking and the importance of Guam.  Relics and artifacts added to the museum visit.

The experience on Guam has been official as well, with a meeting with Gov. Eddie Calvo, who spent time talking and listening to our WWII heroes at the governor’s complex along with Rep. Boradello from Guam.  Her colleagues in the House, Cong. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) and Cong. Bruce Braley (D-IA) are here as part of the historic 67th anniversary program.

The journey to Iwo Jima looms.

The men are ready.

Steffan Tubbs
Chairman of the Board
The Greatest Generations Foundation
Remember Those Who Served
Web: www.tggf.org

Brotherhood Of Heroes: Our Return To The Pacific Islands Introduction – In a world of daily technological advancements and post-modern media, the attention given to the Second World War seems to dwindle more and more; and the regard given to it is marked largely by what is produced in the realm of entertainment, from films like “The Longest Day” and “Saving Private Ryan” to miniseries such as “The Band of Brothers.”  Due to events like D-Day, the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, Big Red 1, and other military entities have had their names engraved in the history books. However, at the same time, on the other side of the world, a different band of brothers were fighting night and day, striving to not only survive but to overcome a ruthless enemy. They did not receive parades, or the fanfare of liberated peoples. Rather they banded together to simply complete their objectives and survive to see the next mission. These men were the veterans of the Pacific.

Now, over six decades later, a group of 12 veterans who fought their way through the Pacific Theater are returning to their battlefields to say a final farewell to the friends and comrades that they lost and left behind so long ago. Through this program, sponsored by The Greatest Generations Foundation in association with Air Compassion for Veterans and American Airlines, these veterans will be able to engage with one another, experiencing a catharsis and putting to rest some of the memories with which they have struggled for a majority of their lives.

Accompanying each veteran is a student from The Ohio State University. As this group of intergenerational travelers visits the islands of Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima, these young adults will be able to engage with the veterans, learning by hearing their stories and experiences firsthand in the battlefields where those experiences took place. By partnering these two generations, The Greatest Generations Foundation seeks to sustain the legacies of the men who fought and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today by preserving them in the hearts and minds of an up and coming generation of leaders. As these outstanding students return to their respective spheres of influence, they will bear the responsibility of sharing the veterans’ experiences of duty, honor and sacrifice, and the importance of remembering those who serve.

Day Six: “The grand finale of my life.”

After a busy day yesterday, we spent the morning relaxing and doing some shopping for our loved ones at home. At noon we met for lunch in the hotel lobby and boarded the bus to head to the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Many of the veterans were anxious, yet sad to reconnect with old shipmates and their fellow servicemen they last saw 70 years ago.

When we arrived, we were again greeted by members of the University of Hawaii Army and Air Force ROTC cadets. They escorted us to our seats where we conducted a memorial service to remember those who were lost, not only in Pearl Harbor and the other bases attacked that day, but also those lost throughout the war. During the service each of the veterans was presented with a personal letter from Senator John Kerry, thanking them for their service.

Following the service we took some time to visit with the ROTC cadets and explore the cemetery. Immediately behind where the c ceremony had taken place was a wide, Marble flight of stairs with 70 steps—representing the average number of years in a man’s life—leading up to a memorial to the battles of the Pacific. On either side of the stairs were several gardens protected by high marble walls covered with the names of those still missing in action. Seeing the number of headstones in the cemetery and names on the garden walls made us realize the gravity of war, and the immense number of lives lost in it.

Before leaving we placed roses on the graves of unidentified soldiers to pay them the respect they deserve.

After heading back to the hotel, we were brought into a private dining area to enjoy a nice dinner provided by Sergio’s. Everyone took the time to get the veterans signatures and contact information so we can all stay in touch. Mr. Pat Duncan expressed how appreciative he was of the entire program, thankful that The Greatest Generations Foundation brought all of the veterans together as a family. After dinner, we were able to watch fireworks from our seats, bringing the week to a perfect close. Mr. Stan Swartz told us that he couldn’t have asked anything more, this program was “the grand finale of my life.”

The Greatest Generations Foundation
Remember Those Who Served
Web: www.tggf.org

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Day Five: We Honor All Those Who Served

Today, on our way to Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Airfield, we picked up students from the University of Hawaii, Pacific who were going to accompany us for the day. Most were students studying history or military strategy, and were excited to have the opportunity to interact with the veterans for the day.

As we arrived at Schofield Barracks, members of the 25th “Tropic Lightning” Infantry Division were waiting to greet us. After taking a group photo with the army, three of our veterans—Tom Pesto, Walter Maciejowski, and Stan Swartz—took center stage and told their stories. The night of December 6th, Walter was returning from a fun night out in town, something the veterans clearly still love to do. He fell asleep in a friend’s barracks and was awoken by the sound of bombs dropping. He, along with his fellow soldiers, ran to the ammo locker, broke it open, and took their guns to the fields in order to return fire on the Japanese aircraft.

After some closing remarks at the ceremony, we got back on the bus and toured both the Schofield and Wheeler bases. We were able to see the airfield and hangers, still showing the damage they received from the bullets and bombs dropped by the Japanese. Our tour guide told us the harrowing story of two pilots from Wheeler Airfield that were able to get off of the ground. One pilot, still in his pajamas, managed to shoot down four enemy planes and return his badly beaten aircraft to the ground. After the tour, we stopped for lunch in the mess hall and visited the Exchange so the veterans could do some souvenir shopping.

Our last stop of the day was the Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe on the “windward” side of the island. We saw the Iwo Jima Memorial and stopped to meet with the Commander of the base and take a few photos. We were given a tour of the base and saw the old barracks, airfield, and firing range. We took the opportunity to eat at the local mess hall whose claim to fame was the “best food in the Marine Corps.” On our way back, the veterans enjoyed more time on the bus to speak with the students before dropping them off. After returning to the hotel, the veterans spoke fondly of the students, excited that so many of the younger generations wanted to hear their story and keep their history.

The Greatest Generations Foundation
Remember Those Who Served
Web: www.tggf.org