3rd Marine Logistics Group Marines from Okinawa look back in time on Iwo Jima

Photo By Sgt. Aaron Hostutler | Pfc. Mackenzie Mesecher, an operations and training embark clerk with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, scoops sand from Invasion Beach on Iwo Jima during a tour, Dec. 5. Mount Suribachi, considered the highlight of the trip to many, looms over the beach in the distance.  

12.04.2008

Story by Pfc. Aaron Hostutler 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Aaron Hostutler
III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan - Marine Corps' units have been taking tours to Iwo Jima for several years to learn and pay tribute to one of the allied forces most famous victories of the Pacific Campaign during World War II.

Usually a tour guide accompanies the unit and teaches them about the history of the island's battle.

Recently, a group of 67 Marines, sailors and civilians, mostly from the operations section of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, traveled to the island Dec. 4-5 and ran the tour slightly different.

While they did travel with a tour guide, several Marines and sailors with the group were tasked with researching various aspects of the battle or people who were involved in it. The Marines and sailors then delivered a period of military education, commonly called a PME, to their fellow travelers.

"I liked that the Marines gave their PMEs," said Mark Waycaster, a tour guide with Marine Corps Community Services. "The ones who gave the PMEs got a chance to be the technical experts on either a person or aspect of the war, and the ones listening got to benefit from knowledge that many people don't have."

The group arrived on the island early in the morning. After setting up their tents, several service members with the unit delivered classes on topics such as the Japanese preparation for the battle.

"I didn't know very much about the Japanese side of the battle," said Lance Cpl. Brittany Custer, a military police support element clerk with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd MLG. "But after doing the research for the PME, I learned a lot about who was leading them, their tactics and how they had decided they weren't giving up the island."

After the classes, the group stepped out, most armed with digital cameras, to see the remnants of the Japanese fortifications first hand. The participants visited caves, pill boxes and bunkers on the island.

"One of my favorite parts of the trip was the ability to observe the amount of ingenuity in the Japanese defense," said Master Sgt. Josiah Shibley, staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the CLR-37 military police support element. "I was moved to see what Marines were up against."

One aspect of the battle Waycaster did discuss was the amount of small weapons fire throughout the battle.

"Imagine kicking a hornet's nest," he said. "Because that's how intense the gunfire was."

Throughout the tour, Waycaster shared several statistics and stories with the group but said he learned a lot himself.

"I enjoyed the PMEs because I got a chance to hear stories of people that I may not have otherwise known about," he said.

After the Marines and sailors gave their PME on an individual, they called the group to the position of attention to read the citation for the individual's award.

"This trip exceeded our highest expectations in every regard; however, the most meaningful part for me personally was when we called 'attention to orders' to read the Medal of Honor citation for a given Marine or sailor," said Col. Jay Hatton, the 3rd MLG assistant chief of staff for operations. "It felt like the person we were talking about was standing right there in the formation with us receiving the award."

While the acts of Marines and sailors together may be impressive to some, it's often the acts of individuals that truly standout, said Lance Cpl. Alexander Bedford, a planner with the CLR-37 operations section who gave one of the PMEs.

Bedford gave his class on Col. Justice M. Chambers, a Marine who commanded a battalion that lost nearly half its enlisted Marines and more than half of its officers, according to Bedford.

"I never understood the fighting was so intense," he said. "This trip made me realize the extreme sacrifice it took to take the island."

The second day of the trip started with Marines waking up at 4:30 a.m. By 5 a.m. they were making their way to Mount Suribachi, the highlight of the trip for many.

"When you reach the top, you're awe-struck," said Shibley. "How did that squad of Marines make it up the mountain under all that fire? How did they even get there to put the flag up?"

After returning from the top of Mount Suribachi, the group made its way to Invasion Beach to see the location where many Marines fought and died attempting to take the island.

"When you walk on that beach and see Mt. Suribachi looming over you, you wonder what could possibly have been going through the minds of the Marines who took that beach," said Waycaster.

After the group watched the waves crash against the black sand, they turned back and made their way back to camp where they prepared for the journey home.

"Look on your blouse," Waycaster said. "You wear an eagle, globe and anchor on your chest. It's people like those who fought and died here on Iwo Jima that paid for that."

• Date Taken: 12.04.2008
• Date Posted: 12.19.2008 00:59
• Story ID: 27873