Iwo Jima 

The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (more commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial) is perhaps one of the most moving memorials in the DC region.

Photos

The battle of iwo jima was one of the most deadly of any US battle in world war .

 Iwo Jima 

THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES ON IWO JIMA CLICK THE FLAG.

The photo of the unfinished sculpture and information was submitted by James Oberlander Alpha 82/84

I have always found the attached photo to be very interesting. The following provide some insight into what is shown;

1. This photo shows the actual sculpture upon completion but prior to being cut into 108 pieces, bronzed and moved to the site in Arlington. This location is the actual workshop of the sculptor, Felix De Weldon, in N.E. Washington, DC. (This site was auctioned off in a bankruptcy auction in 1993)


2. Visible on the far left is a copy of a war poster showing Iwo adhered to a board and clamped in place to be used for reference.


3. In the lower left, partially obscured by a bronze bust, is a limestone block, covered by a tarp. Upon the tarp are several photos, books, and a partially visible helmet also used for reference.


4. To the right is a small model as well.


5. This photo was signed by De Weldon in March of 1954 and given to James Robert Hardesty.


6. Felix De Weldon is the short gentleman in the center, front wearing a dark suit.


7. The other civilian may be Joe Rosenthal, the photographer who took the photo.


8. I believe the officer on the left is General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., the Commandant at the time. This identification is based on the following detail observed by zooming in on this gentleman; The left ear, the shape of the nose, the 4 stars, and what appears to be the braid of the fourragere. I have no idea who the other gentlemen may be, although, they all appear to be officers.

Hardesty was (as I understand) the sculptor of the granite plinth (base) of the monument. My grandfather was (depending on which story my grandmother told and how old she was at the time) a friend or colleague of Hardesty and given (or bought) his desk by Hardesty’s widow. This signed, framed photograph was found in the desk and was in my grandfather’s office from ’67-’87. I was given the photo upon the death of my grandfather.

If you, or any of your contributors are ever able to shed light on any other details, please do pass them on. I would be very interested in identifying any of the several busts visible, the building fresco on the left, and the intended home of the large crucifix on the right.

VISITING THE MARINE CORPS

WAR MEMORIAL

 by Jennifer Kaye Photography

Iwo Jima, a look back
On 19 February 1945, the 5th Marine Amphibious Corps (consisting of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Marine Divisions) landed on Iwo Jima (Sulphur Island). When the battle was over, 6821 American Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers , along with an estimated 20,000+ Japanese defenders had died.

Sculpture

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