Marines returning to Iwo Jima on 70th anniversary of famed World War II battle

By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times - Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Hershel “Woody” Williams is returning after 70 years to Iwo Jima, where a flamethrower saved him from Japanese bayonets and where he earned the Medal of Honor. His grandchildren urged him for years to relive the war on-site at annual ceremonies to commemorate the Marine Corps‘ bloodiest battle — the conquering of an 8-square-mile Pacific dot of black volcanic sand and dirt where B-29s could stage for flights to mainland Japan. “I finally was convinced by my grandchildren,” said Mr. Williams, 91. “My feelings [for] not going back were because we gave the island back to the Japanese. I felt we should have kept it as a memorial and a showplace for the Pacific, something a little bit like Hawaii, more historical even than Hawaii, and that we should not have given it back to the Japanese. So I just had no desire to go back. But they convinced me I’m getting old and crotchety and I need to change my attitude on it, so I did.” PHOTOS: World War II Marines return to Iwo Jima on 70th anniversary of famed battle, flag raising A return trip to the scene of one of World War II’s most famous and costly battles will not be easy for former Marines in their 80s and 90s. But a group of about 45 American veterans of the battle of Iwo Jima, some needing financial help, plan to make the long journey March 21 for a 70th anniversary ceremony in the shadow of Mount Suribachi and the 1945 iconic flag-raising. There will be no Japanese counterparts. The dwindling cadre of the initial 1,083 survivors, who first had fought in China and were older than the primarily teenage American force, have grown too frail to travel. But hundreds of bereaved Japanese family members will join Americans who also lost loved ones in the February-to-March 1945 struggle. Retired Lt. Col. Michael Kessler, who runs the nonprofit Young Marines in Washington, said he learned that Mr. Williams required financial assistance and quickly began raising money. He then discovered that about 15 of the 45 veterans also needed help. His goal is to present a check for $40,000 to the Iwo Jima Association of America, the trip’s sponsor. United Airlines pitched in by providing 10 complimentary round-trip tickets from the U.S. to Guam, where the veterans and their families will board charter hops to the island. “I said this is just wrong that these guys because of funds are unable to go back to the scene of the battle,” Mr. Kessler said. “So we launched a fundraiser. One of the things across the country that we do take care of is our veterans, particularly the older veterans.” Retired Marine Col. Warren Wiedhahn has watched the number of Iwo Jima-bound veterans decline over time. “Each year, as they get older, more and more have dropped off,” said Mr. Wiedhahn, who has handled battlefield tours for more than 20 years. “One of the requirements we have is put forth by both Americans and Japanese government: They must have a doctor’s certificate that they are — quote, unquote — in relatively good health before they are allowed to go.” Mr. Wiedhahn, executive vice president of the Iwo Jima Association, founded Military Historical Tours, which handles travel arrangements via a contract with the group. “If it’s a veteran, we’ll find a way if I have to carry them on my back,” he said. He estimates about 45 former combatants will make the trip, compared with 400, and 600 family members, for the 50th commemoration. “There are thousands of Iwo Jima veterans still alive, but there are not that many which are physically or financially able to travel all that distance,” said Mr. Wiedhahn, a veteran of Korea and Vietnam. Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/18/world-war-ii-marines-return-to-iwo-jima-on-70th-an/#.VOYLeX59rE0.twitter#ixzz3SkwOI9sW