During the battle for Iwo Jima in World War II, it was led by the Marines.

The Japanese were tough fighters, their pride told themselves to fight to the death — which they did. On the Marine side, they were being required to perform almost beyond human endurance, both physically and psychologically. They had over 50% killed and wounded and were still ordered to continue the attack, in the face of heavy fortifications.

One of the Marines was Ira Hayes who had helped raise the flag there on Mt. Surabachi. One night in a foxhole, a Japanese soldier came crawling up and Ira shot him dead. The next morning, it bothered Ira to see the dead Japanese soldier lying right there at the foxhole.

Later, Tex Stanton recalled that he had been in his foxhole for four days, and every time he raised his head they would shoot at him, but then came the mortar barrage, he got hit; he tried to stand up, but couldn’t, he looked down and both of his feet were gone.

Another Marine said that he saw Stanton fly up out of the hole when the mortar round hit. He was evacuated and lived.

Franklin Sousley after the mortar attack, was dazed wondering around. Then he got shot from behind. He swatted at his back as though brushing away a bee, then he fell. He said he didn’t feel anything, and then he died.

Roger Gregory is a Vietnam veteran, serving in the 1st Infantry Division, and is a business owner in Priest River.