As our artillery was gradually brought ashore, counter fire was rapidly placed upon the spitting fireports of Mt. Suribachi. Numerous air strikes added to this deadly clamor of combat. Slowly, very slowly, the advance continued, as any move- ment seemed destined to draw a sniper’s bul- let or merciless fire from a Nambu machine gun. Cradling M-1 Garand rifles loaded with eight rounds of armor-piercing ammo, our squad vig- orously sought targets of opportunity, but there were only a few, as the enemy remained hidden in tunnels and caves that denied us the opportu- nity to return fire. It was frustrating for all of us serving as riflemen. Dozens of Japanese strong points were eventu- ally destroyed by the courage and determination of demolition squads and flamethrowers risking their lives to seal a cave or eliminate a bunker. Also, K-9 dogs bravely helped to locate many enemy troops. Spider traps, (small holes in the ground) offered enemy sharpshooters only tem- porary concealment, until they were spotted and quickly disposed of by a hand grenade or bullet. Around mid-morning, what was left of A Com- pany (plus some of B and C companies), 28th Regiment, broke through to the opposite shore, isolating the formidable Mt. Suribachi. This broad avenue of death was paid for in blood and flesh, as the number of dead and wounded was enormous. The cut-off was a grim, but necessary victory, for now the Marines were in position to attack the 550-foot high menacing mountain. On February 23, a squad of Marines fought their way up Mount Suribachi and planted the Ameri- can flag on its summit. A wave of exaltation swept over us as we saw Old Glory proudly flying on top of the mountain- a sight I shall never forget. With the 28th Regiment Marines holding the narrow neck of the island, the other two regi- ments of the 5th Division and the full 4th Di- vision [a division is comprised of approximately 20.000 men] thrust inland and pivoted right to attack and capture Motoyama No. 1 (the Japa- nese airfield), and the rest of this deadly island. This battle would take 36 days of fierce combat and produce more than 26,000 American causal- ities – the highest of any battle in Marine Corps history. The first day finally came to an end as sunlight gave way to shrouds of darkness. Foxholes were dug deeper and heavy machine guns brought to the front in anticipation of a night-time Japa- nese attack. Sleep was not a likely respite- ex- haustion was. During the first week of March, artillery “soft- ened up” the area in front of our position pro- ducing a deafening roar of exploding shells and choking debris. We moved forward as soon as the barrage was lifted, blowing bunkers and pillboxes apart. Then it happened- one second I was verti- cal, the next I was helpless on my back, a victim of enemy shrapnel knocking me flat. Sometime later, one of our valiant corpsmen was standing over me bandaging my abdomi- nal wound and giving me a shot of morphine. Stretcher bearers soon arrived and evacuated me to a hospital ship off shore where doctors performed the necessary surgery. Many episodes of despair,triumph and bravery occurred on this bloody day and the 35 to follow as young Americans proved we had the fortitude necessary to defeat a well- armed and fanatical enemy prepared to die for their em- peror. These footsteps of valor established the foundation of America’s strength as you, Mr. and Mrs. America are en- dowed with this awesome legacy of courage and commitment to shoulder arms when necessary. Today, as we face terrorist threats to our peace and security, we would do well to remember the many sacrifices made by veterans who answered the call when our freedom was threatened by those consumed with a mandate to conquer. Semper Fi. MY EXPERIENCE Bob Gasche, in 2016, flanked by Milton Lewis (FL) Young Marines CO Cary Hill, (Left) and YM/Cpl Christopher Galang (Right). YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 19