Iwo Jima survivors visit Fort Sill for last reunion

By Ms. Marie Berberea (TRADOC)February 19, 2015

Battle grounds
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Living legends
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – When asked what goes through his mind when he puts on the Medal of Honor, Hershel "Woody" Williams said, "It does not belong to me. I have said I am just the caretaker of it because on Feb. 23, 1945 two Marines gave their lives protecting mine. So wh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Marine Corps past, future
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Corps camaraderie
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FORT SILL, Okla. -- Living legends from the Battle of Iwo Jima visited Fort Sill Feb. 12 for the last time. Survivors have gathered here for many years, but last week's visit marked their final reunion.

The Fort Sill Marine Corps Artillery Detachment hosted the men and their family members and shared in their triumphs and tribulations.

"Seventy years ago on 19 February, 30,000 Marines in the first wave of the assault landed on Iwo Jima," said Col. Wayne Harrison, Marine Corps Artillery Detachment commander.

Harrison said while historians argue how germane the battle was to World War II, he believes that discussion is now irrelevant.

"I think what Iwo Jima gave us, more importantly than any strategic initiative, it gave us our legacy. We that are Marines today are proud of what you gentlemen did on that island 70 years ago."

To demonstrate his point he quoted a story from the Marine Corps Gazette about a group of Marines who fought in the Second Battle of Fallujah.

"At the end of a very hard day's fight the company commander was walking around talking to his troops. The commander's radio operator looked up at the commander and he asked, 'Sir, did we do good today? Did we pull our own?' The lance corporal, 19 years old asked his commander, 'Sir, do you think the men that fought in Iwo Jima would be proud of us today?'"

The last living Iwo Jima Medal of Honor recipient, Hershel "Woody" Williams was among the veterans in attendance.

The young Marines quickly absorbed each story Williams delivered.

"Getting to stand next to 'Woody' is an honor. Not many people will get to do that being that he is the last living Medal of Honor recipient from that time," said Pvt. Thomas Rajeh, MARDET.

Rajeh said even in his brief enounter with Williams he learned "dedication will get you far and that staying true to your troops and staying true to the Marine to the left and right of you will help further the Marine Corps legacy and let us live on the legacy they've set forth."

Williams shared his war stories and while he was serious, he mixed in lighthearted details to the young Marines' delight.

He said he hopes each of them learns "to accept the challenge. Any life is a challenge. Circumstances are going to happen. It's what we do with those circumstances that makes the difference.

"Sometime down the road they will remember, they will recall somebody else was here before them and sacrificed so they could be who they are."

Williams said his desire is for future Marines to find a way to settle differences peacefully.

"Somebody in this world has got to be smart enough to figure out a way that we can resolve our problems, our differences, whether it be religion or politics ... smart enough to figure out how we can come to some agreement by compromising and getting along together without having to kill each other."

At 91 years of age, Williams is making an emotionally charged visit to Iwo Jima March 13, to return a Japanese flag and saber. Following the battle, a Marine brought the items home as souvenirs after killing an enemy officer.

"I'm a little anxious about it. You're never quite sure how you'll be received. I know we're dealing with a different generation than we had in World War II. Maybe they can find a relative of that individual."

While Williams is focused on his trip, the Fort Sill Marines were ecstatic to share in his presence one last time.

"This is just a privilege for us," said Lt. Col. Richard Royse, MARDET executive officer.

Royse said although it is unfortunate future Marines will not share in this experience, they will be able to share in others.

"They really are living legends. But this is one group. There are a lot of groups of heroes."

Harrison said the Marines will continue to learn from what they went through and, hopefully, it will teach them how to survive battle as well.

"What's really awesome is how well they've adjusted to life after something like that. For me it's a lesson in resiliency. Sometimes we tend in this newer age to focus on our worries and our hardships. Think about what these guys went through. They're not complaining."

For more photos from the ceremony and reunion, visit www.flickr.com/fortsillcannoneer.

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Ceremony photos