Battle Of Iwo Jima

September 20, 2011

Great pacific waves thrash soldiers around violently in a tiny metal boat. It's headed towards distant explosions, growing louder with every passing minute. Finally, they land and the ramp drops, stealing away the little safety they have left. Forced off the boat, they cluster on the beach desperately looking for cover, but to no avail while the enemy fires upon them, as sitting ducks. They struggle to make inches each day. Only the bravest of soldiers could have performed such a task as the American Marines did back on Iwo Jima during World War II.

This battle proved to be one of the toughest American soldiers of the Pacific theater would fight, costing more than 6,800 Marines’ lives and 16,000 men injured or wounded. For only an 8-squre mile island, Iwo Jima granted American forces the use of air strips located closer to their target, the home island of Japan. Ed Boswell was one of those very marines fighting in those dark hours as a Marine Rifleman, just turned 18 years-old on the very ship taking him to Iwo Jima. Of his entire platoon, he was the only man to leave the battle field alive and unwounded.

This Thursday, September 22 at 7 p.m., Battle of Iwo Jima visits the Parkville Branch where Ed Boswell will share his personal experience at Iwo Jima as well as discuss the historical background of this key battle.

Along with this program, we have a host of programs gearing up for our Veterans Salute on October 22. Be sure to check out our events page or your local Branch's event listings for program dates and details.

~Cody C.
Parkville Branch