Press Releases
Morris County Remembers the Marines’ WWII Battle for Iwo Jima 75 Years Ago
Posted Wednesday, February 19th, 2020
Morris County Residents Fought and Died on Iwo Jima — Ten Perished
The famous picture taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal actually captured the second flag-raising event of the day. A U.S. flag was first raised atop Suribachi soon after it was captured early in the morning. (National Archives photo)
U.S. Marines invaded the volcanic island of Iwo Jima 75 years ago today, on Feb. 19, 1945, the first day of a 36-day battle, ending March 26, 1945.
Iwo Jima was strategically important as an air base for fighter escorts supporting long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan during World War II.
Because of the distance between mainland Japan and U.S. bases in the Mariana Islands, the capture of Iwo Jima would provide an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs, according to the official Naval History and Heritage Command website. The seizure of Iwo would allow for sea and air blockades, the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment and to destroy the enemy’s air and naval capabilities.
Initial carrier raids against Iwo Jima began in June 1944. Prior to the invasion, the 8-square-mile island would suffer the longest, most intensive shelling of any Pacific island during the war. The 7th Air Force, working out of the Marianas, supplied the B-24 heavy bombers for the campaign, according to the website.
Enemy held out for more than five weeks in fierce combat, defeated when Marines managed to cut the enemy forces in two. Of 20,000 Japanese soldiers, only 1,083 survived to be taken prisoner.
Americans suffered 6,821 Killed in Action and 19,217 wounded in the Battle for Iwo Jima. Approximately 70,000 marines took part in the 36-day fight.
“The Morris County Board of Freeholders honors the memory of our veterans who served, some of whom lost their lives in this horrific battle,” said Freeholder John Krickus, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
To date, ten Morris County Marines are known to have lost their lives at Iwo Jima. This list is compiled by Jan Williams, Cultural and Historic Resources Specialist for the County of Morris. Additions and corrections to this list are very welcome. Please email [email protected].
The following Marines are listed by date of loss:
Waldemar F. Piecyk
Dover
United States Marine Corps 25th Regt 4th Marine Div
February 21, 1945
Frederick Daniel Budd
Chester
United States Marine Corps 5th Engineer BN
February 23, 1945
Purple Heart (posthumous)
Edward R. Hornbeck
Denville
United States Marine Corps 27th Marines
February 27, 1945
Hornbeck Road in Denville, New Jersey, is named in his honor
Nicholas R. Finellie
Madison
United States Marine Corps 28th Marines
February 28, 1945
Madison Roll of Honor
Military Memorial Pathway Madison brick location I2
Original caption: Marines risk sniper file atop Mount Suribachi as they gather to the great attraction of the day — the Marines of the Fifth Marine Division raise the American flag on the enemy mountain fort on Iwo Jima. Photo by Pvt. Bob Campbell, Feb. 23, 1945
Irving Vanness Petry
Hanover
United States Marine Corps 4th Marine Division
March 1, 1945
East Hanover Memorial
Pat Anthony Maioran, Jr.
Morristown
United States Marine Corps Reserves 24 Marines – 4th Div
March 2, 1945
Dominick Sapio
Dover
United States Marine Corps 4th Marine Division
March 2, 1945
Vincent E. Fields
Washington Township
United States Marine Corps 25th Regt 4 DIV
March 6, 1945
Purple Heart (posthumous)
Vincent E. Fields Street in Washington Township is named in his honor.
The first wave of U.S. Marines heads for the beach of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. U.S. Navy Photo/National Archives
Francis John Bednar
Boonton
United States Marine Corps 25th Marines 4th Marine Division
March 10, 1945
Boonton Veterans Memorial
Andrew Harvey Bladt
Boonton
United States Marine Corps 5th Marines
March 11, 1945
Boonton Veterans Memorial
Known Morris County Participants:
Louis Patrick Andreorio
Morristown
United States Marine Corps
Iwo Jima
Robert M. Aughey
“AA2IM”
Dover
United States Marine Corps Senior Radio Officer 5th Division
Iwo Jima
Attached to the Navajo “Code Talkers”
“Code Talkers”: In WWII, cryptology-or coded messages-offered great problems for the American forces. Many German and Japanese had attended school in the United States, were fluent in English, making English based code breaking easier. The United States Marine Corps received a solution to the problem from a civil engineer named Phillip Johnston. Mr. Johnston, the son of missionaries in Arizona, had grown up in the Navajo Nation, was conversant in the Navajo language; a language not understood outside the community. Further, Navajo had no written alphabet at the time, being strictly oral, this made code breaking impossible. Two hundred Navajo men were recruited into the Marine Corps, their numbers increased to around 400.
The Navajo Code remains the only oral military code never broken.
John Patrick Biddiscombe
Morristown
United States Navy U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre CL-103
Iwo Jima
Okinawa
“Jack” was present in Tokyo Bay when the treaty ending the war in the Pacific was signed by the Japanese and General Douglas MacArthur. He carried in his wallet every day a card that was issued to sailors who witnessed this historic event.
Frank Edward Bird, Jr.
Netcong
United States Navy LSM 46
Iwo Jima
Trained as a Pharmacist Mate. Taking Marines into Iwo Jima on pontoon boats, under heavy fire and in turbulent waters, Frank heard the shouts “Hey Doc, somebody’s hurt and bleeding bad.” A young Marine was in the water, his leg caught between two pontoons. Bird jumped overboard and, finding that the Marine’s leg could not be extricated, he amputated the crushed leg and fashioned a temporary tourniquet. Under heavy fire, he carried the Marine to shore and saved his life.
Jacob Brorein
Whippany
United States Navy U.S.S. Henry A. Wiley DM-29
Okinawa
Iwo Jima
Robert Peter Brundage
Dover
United States Marine Corps 5th Marines – 1st Marine Division
May 3, 1945 Okinawa
Dartmouth World War II Memorial Plaque
Peter Brundage Ski Lodge Built by Dartmouth College in 1956 – Dartmouth Skiway-named in his honor
Iwo Jima and Okinawa Memorial Plaque – Special Officer Candidate School – Harlington, Texas
Silver Star (posthumous) citation
“The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Robert Peter Brundage (MCSN: 0-41761), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader attached to Company L, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 3 May 1945. Courageously leading his platoon against a strongly defended, heavily fortified enemy position and observing that one of his scouts had been buried by an artillery shell burst, Second Lieutenant Brundage unhesitatingly braved the intense fire to dig the helpless man out of the debris and carry him to a place of safety. Maneuvering his troops to the top of a hill after personal reconnaissance across the hazardous terrain and finding the new positions untenable when a hail of artillery fire blanketed the area, Second Lieutenant Brundage valiantly remained with his platoon sergeant to hurl grenades at the hostile emplacements, covering the safe withdrawal of his platoon. Although mortally wounded during this action, his aggressive leadership and intrepid fighting spirit served as an inspiration to his men, thereby reflecting great credit upon Second Lieutenant Brundage and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
Norbert James Charron
Morris Plains
United States Marine Corps
Iwo Jima
Purple Heart
Ralph J. D’Alconzo
Ralph J. D’Alconzo
Morris Plains
United States Marine Corps
Iwo Jima
Purple Heart
Robert Franklin Daily
Morristown
United States Marine Corps
Robert Morris Dalrymple
Morristown
United States Navy
Iwo Jima
U.S. Marines fire shells across the black sand of the Iwo Jima beach, taking aim at inland Japanese positions in 1945. U.S. Coast Guard/National Archives
Charles Edwards Dobbins
Morris Plains
United States Marine Corps
Peleliu
Iwo Jima
Okinawa
New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal
Morris County Distinguished Service Medal
Samuel Howard Edwards, Jr.
Boonton Township
United States Coast Guard U.S.S. Bayfield APA-33
Okinawa participant amphibious landings
Iwo Jima participant amphibious landings
Original caption from 1945: This general view shows amtracs bogged down in the sands along the beaches of Iwo Jima after American invasion of the Japanese stronghold in 1945 during World War II. In the background, U.S. Marines and Coast Guard beach parties operate communications and command posts and fox hole “hospitals” as assault troops push back the enemy from established beaches on the Volcano Island. (U.S. Coast Guard/AP)
Eugene R. Fennimore
Morris Plains
United States Navy LST
Pacific Theater
Iwo Jima
Morris County Distinguished Service Medal
Jacob “Jack” Gartenberg
Parsippany
United States Marine Corps 4th Marine Division
Iwo Jima
Purple Heart
Mr. Gartenberg witnessed Marines take Mount Suribachi and planting an American flag atop the hill for other Marines to see.
Ralph Hinchman Cutler, Jr.
Morristown
United States Navy
Iwo Jima
Lt. JG Cutler recorded orders and observations for the official battle report.
Charles M. Johnson
Morristown
United States Marine Corps Reserve 3rd BT 5th MAR DIV
Iwo Jima
Purple Heart
Silver Star
Citation:
“The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Charles M. Johnson (MCN:364790), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, 20 February 1945. Leading the remnants of his squad against well fortified hostile emplacements in open terrain under heavy mortar fire and with no support on the right flank, Corporal Johnson realized that greater firepower was needed and, running back approximately a hundred yards, located two tanks. Leading them to a firing position, he pointed out enemy targets and enabled his platoon to reorganize for further assault on Mount Suribachi. Wounded during this action, he refused medical attention after he rejoined his platoon until other wounded were evacuated from their positions in front of the lines. His leadership, courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Roland William Johnson
Chatham
United States Coast Guard LST-792
Iwo Jima
Battle of Okinawa participant
The LST-792 received two Battle Stars.
Frank J. Jozapaitis, Sr.
Parsippany
United States Navy
Iwo Jima
Mr. Jozapaitis survived WW II, but in his civilian career as a Merchant Marine, he was on board the ship Henry Steinbrenner when it sank May, 1953. His wife received a telegram advising her that her husband was lost.
William Stanley Kanouse
Montville
United States Marine Corps
Iwo Jima
Joseph Francis Krasco
Jefferson Township
United States Marine Corps 1st BN 24th Marines
Iwo Jima
Purple Heart
Edgar A. Mack
Edgar A. Mack
Morristown
United States Navy U.S.S. Gillespie DD-609
Battle for Biak
Iwo Jima
Okinawa
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Peleliu
The Gillespie served as an escort for The Missouri into Tokyo Bay and was present at the surrender of Japan, in total earning nine battle stars in WWII. Edgar Mack relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina in the 1970s.
The U.S.S. Gillespie DD-609 was sunk as target practice in 1972.
News & Record, October 2, 2018, Harry Thetford: “Tin can sailor” recalls World War II
Sam Anthony Picconi
Boonton
United States Reserves U.S.S. Newberry APA-158
Iwo Jima
James Salerno
James Salerno
Hanover
United States Marine Corp 5th Marines,
3rd Bat, Co. G
Iwo Jima
Bouganville
Guadalcanal
Silver Star (Iwo Jima)
Bronze Star (4)
Purple Heart
Silver Star citation (in part):
“Sergeant Salerno immediately rallied his men to repulse the enemy, and, on the following day, courageously led his platoon in and attack on a strong hostile position composed of many machine gun emplacements cut into solid rock. Although his group suffered severe casualties, Sergeant Salerno ably directed them in attaining their objective for the day and in holding it during the night against repeated enemy counterattacks. By his coolness, initiative, and personal bravery, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Anthony John Santella
“Tony”
United States Navy U.S.S. Healy DD-672
Iwo Jima
Battle Star (15)
Distinguished Service Cross
New Jersey Distinguished Service medal
Raymond M. Santella
“Ray”
United States Navy
Iwo Jima
Paul R. Stirrat, Jr.
Chatham Township
United States Marine Corps
Iwo Jima
Guido F. Verbek
Guido F. Verbek
Harding
United States Marine Corps
Kwajalein
Gaudalcanal
Iwo Jima
Career Marine, retiring as a Brigadier General.
James J. Walsh, Jr.
Morristown
United States Marine Corps
Iwo Jima
At the age of 18, Jim Walsh wanted to serve his country during World War II, so he joined the Marines. He enlisted in Newark, and after Boot Camp at Paris Island, he was sent to Cherry Hill, N.C. and then from there on to the Pacific. He was involved in the Battle of Iwo Jima in which the United States fought for and captured that island, and he was also part of our war efforts in China.
Morris County Distinguished Service Medal
Walter S. Wayne
Morris Plains
United States Marine Corps 5th Marine Division
Iwo Jima participant
During World War II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps Fifth Division from 1943 to 1946, and fought the entire campaign for the island of Iwo Jima. Recalled to active duty during the Korean War, and served as a drill instructor at the Marines Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va. from 1950 to 1952.
Morris County Distinguished Service Medal
George Greeley Wells
“G. Greeley Wells” “Greeley”
Harding
United States Marine Corps 5th Marine Division 28th Marine Regiment 2nd Battalion
Iwo Jima
1st Lt. Wells removed a flag on the U.S.S. Missoula and carried it in his map case. The small Missoula flag was the first one raised on Mt. Suribachi. It was later replaced by a larger one, seen in the iconic photograph.
Mr. Wells settled in Harding and served on the council, the planning commission, mayor and as police commissioner.