Iwo Jima Satellite Picture Today

Here is Iwo Jima today from a Satellite photo. Today it is known as Iō-tō as it is the correct pronouncement of the Kanji of the name. Marines will forever know it as Iwo Jima.

The Assault By Allen R Matthews Paperback

Saturday I just lucked upon The Assault by Allen R Matthews. The book is one of the earliest personal accounts of the Battle Of Iwo Jima published just two years after the battle in 1947. Matthews was in the 4th Marine Division in the Battle and was previously a writer before he was inducted into the Marines. Unlike todays Oral History style of writing, this reads very much of its time like a novel but all to real unlike fiction books. I love this pulp style cover of the 1950's edition of the book.

WWII USMC Corporal 3rd Division Iwo Jima

This is the jacket to the Marine in the previous post who was a map maker and owned the Iwo Jima map below. In the 1970's he became a writer and published a fiction book on a group of Marines coming home from the war, obviously based on his own experiences.

WWII Iwo Jima Map Official Top Secret

A while back a uniform lot of an Iwo Jima vet was sold on ebay. It was an incredible lot coming from a 3rd Marine Division Marine who fought both at the Battle Of Iwo Jima and the 2nd Battle of Guam and with further searching might have been a Paramarine. He was a Map maker so he had a lot of interesting items including this original Iwo Jima map that was used in the battle. Who knows how many of these survived but at least we all have a good idea how one will look.

WWII USMC Baseball Jersey 2nd Tank Battalion

There are USMC items that come along that one doesn't often think of but is important to the history of the Corp in WWII. This appeared on Ebay a few months back, a wool WWII USMC baseball jersey complete with pants and ID'ed to the 2nd Tank Battalion. What makes this incredible is that it was id'ed to a Marine Tank Battalion. You got to love these types of unique items that don't often get the screen time like the other more common uniforms.

WWII USMC Corporal 6th Division Raider

This one appeared a couple of months ago. a Corporal who was in 6th Marine Division who we later found out was a Raider earlier in the war. I do like the presentation with this one!

WWII USN Phm3c Corpsman LST 284 D-Day

Here is a recent addition belonging to a Corpsman who was stationed on LST-284 during the D-Day invasion June 6th 1944. Although all the marking and ID check out to the sailor it is odd that it has a pre 1943 rear looking crow on the sleeve. I haven't received his records but perhaps he was in the service longer that the rosters lead on. The blue wool was moth eaten and that is why it looks white. A center piece of a Navy WWII D-Day display!

WWII US Army Sgt. 41st Division

While I very much only collect WWII Iwo Jima related items, I don't pass up a good Army coat if I see one for sale at the swap meet or antiques fair, especially if it named and from an PTO Army Division. This 41st Division coat was one such pick up about a month ago with two names written in the coat. While the first name was easy to figure out, belonging to a Soldier in the Army Air Corp, it's the second name that has proven difficult. Its also the second name who I believe this coat is made up for.

Any help figuring out who this is ID to is greatly appreciated!

WWII USMC Tech Sgt 5th Marine Div. Paramarine

There are dream uniforms and there are dream uniforms. This is one of those uniforms that Iwo Jima and Paramarine collectors would like to have in their collections and the price that sold for this was reflected in the high dollar sale. This one is such one coat. Let the jacket this speak for itself. Most importantly we must not forget it was one Marine who earned all what is shown on this coat. What a Marine! This jacket was indeed named to a Technical Sgt. who was at Iwo Jima and jump qualified. An incredible coat from a vet from one of the finest divisions of the war.

List of Ships At The Battle of Iwo Jima

This is my work in progress list of ship that participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima (Feb-March 1945). Over 600 ships participated in the invasion force and I could not find a master list of ships who took part in the invasion. Most of the information has come from ship websites, articles, unit histories and books about the battle. I am very interested in finding a list of what Marine Divisions were on which ships. I have added important notes behind certain ship to denote interesting or historic facts about that particular ship during the battle. If you see that a ship is not listed please contact me so I can add it to the list.

List of Ships at Iwo Jima

Amphibious Command Ship
• USS Auburn (AGC-10) Command Ship Amphibious Group 2
• USS Eldorado (AGC-11) Invasion Command Ship Gen Holland Smith/James Forrestal
• USS Estes (AGC-12) D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action Command Ship
• USS Biscayne(AGC-18) Flagship for Transport Screen


Aircraft Carriers
• USS Saratoga (CV-3) Hit by Japanese Aircraft 2/21 123KIA
• USS Enterprise(CV-6)
• USS Essex (CV-9) TF58
• USS Hornet(CV-12)
• USS Lexington(CV-16)
• USS Bunker Hill(CV-17)
• USS Wasp(CV-18)
• USS Hancock(CV-19) Air Group 80 VF-80/VB-80/VT-80
• USS Bennington(CV-20)
• USS Belleau Wood(CVL-24)
• USS Cowpens(CVL-25)
• USS San Jacinto(CVL-30)


Escort Carriers
• USS Anzio (CVE-57) VC-82
• USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62) VC-81
• USS Wake Island (CVE-65) VOC-1
• USS Tulagi (CVE-72)
• USS Petrof Bay (CVE-80)VC-76
• USS Rudyerd Bay (CVE-81) VC-77
• USS Saginaw Bay (CVE-82)
• USS Sargent Bay (CVE-83) VC-79
• USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84)
• USS Steamer Bay (CVE-87) VC-90
• USS Windham Bay (CVE-92)
• USS Makin Bay (CVE-93)VC-84
• USS Lunga Point (CVE-94)VC-85
• USS Bismark Sea (CVE-95)VC-86 Sunk by Kamikaze 2/21/45 119KIA
• USS Salamaua (CVE-96)
• USS Asmiralty Islands (CVE-99)
• USS Bougainville (CVE-100)


Battleships
• USS Arkansas (BB-33)
• USS New York (BB-34)
• USS Texas (BB-35) June 6th 1944 D-Day Veteran
• USS Nevada (BB-36)
• USS Idaho (BB-42)
• USS Tennessee (BB-43) 2/17 Hit by Japanese Coastal Gun/Pearl Harbor Survivor
• USS North Carolina (BB-55)
• USS Washington (BB-56)
• USS South Dakota (BB-57)
• USS Indiana (BB-58)
• USS Massachusetts (BB-59)
• USS New Jersey (BB-62)
• USS Missouri (BB-63)
• USS Wisconsin (BB-64)


Hospital Ships
• USS Solace (AH-5)
• USS Bountiful (AH-9)
• USS Samaritan (AH-10)
• USS Pickney (APH-9)


Cruiser
• USS Alaska (CB-1)
• USS Pensacola (CA-24)
• USS Salt Lake City (CA-25)
• USS Chester (CA-27)
• USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
• USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37)
• USS San Francisco (CA-38)
• USS San Diego (CL-53)
• USS San Juan (CL-54)
• USS Santa Fe (CL-60)
• USS Vincennes (CL-64)
• USS Pasadena (CL-65)
• USS Baltimore (CA-68)
• USS Boston (CA-69)
• USS Biloxi (CL-80)
• USS Vicksburg (CL-86)
• USS Miami (CL-89)
• USS Astoria (CL-90)
• USS Flint (CL-97)
• USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103)


Destroyers
• USS Mitchell (DE-43)
• USS Dorsey (DD-117)
• USS Gamble (DD-123/DM-15) Hit by Air Attack 2/18 5KIA
• USS Riddle (DD-185)
• USS Crowley (DE-303)
• USS Holloran (DE-305)
• USS Finnegan (DE-307)
• USS Aylwin (DE-355)
• USS Mccall (DD-400)
• USS Guest (DD-472)
• USS Bennett (DD-473)
• USS Fullam (DD-474)
• USS Hudson (DD-475)
• USS Pringle (DD477)
• USS Stanly (DD-478)
• USS Leutze (DD-481) April 17 Hit by Shore Batteries
• USS Newcomb (DD-486) Awarded Navy Unit Citation during Battle
• USS Terry (DD-513) 2/28 Hit by Iwo Shore Gun 11KIA
• USS Anthony (DD-515)
• USS Mullany (DD-528)
• USS Owen (DD-536) Rescued downed TBM Crew from USS Handcock (CV-19)
• USS Twining (DD-540)
• USS Bradford (DD-545)
• USS Capps (DD-550)
• USS Halligan (DD-584)
• USS Izard (DD-589)
• USS Twiggs (DD-591)
• USS Howorth (DD-592)
• USS Harrison (DD-573)
• USS Stembel (DD-644)
• USS Thorn (DD-647)
• USS Vab Valkenburgh (DD-656)
• USS Heywood L. Edwards (DD-663) Awarded Navy Unit Citation during Battle
• USS Bryant (DD-665) Awarded Navy Unit Citation during Battle
• USS Healy (DD-672)
• USS Porterfield(DD-682)
• USS Wedderburn (DD-684)
• USS John W. Weeks(DD-701)
• USS Weaver (DE-741)
• USS McClelland (DE-750)
• USS Callaghan (DD-792)
• USS Irwin (DD-794)
• USS Colhoun (DD-801) Hit by Shore Batteries 2/27/45
• USS Gregory (DD-802)
• USS Little (DD-803)
• USS Rooks (DD-804)


High Speed Transport
• USS Gilmer (APD-11)
• USS Blessman (APD-48) D-2 2/17 UDT Action, 2/18 Hit by Betty Bombs 42KIA


Troop Transport
• USS Thurston (AP-77)
• USS President Monroe (AP-104)
• USS George F. Elliott (AP-105)
• USS Ozark (AP-107/LSV-2)
• USS Storm King (AP-171)
• USS Cape Johnson (AP-172) 3rd MarDiv
• USS Herald of the Morning (AP-173)


Attack Transport
• USS Harry Lee (PA-10)
• USS Zeilin (APA-3)
• USS Feland (APA-11)
• USS President Adams (APA-19)3rd MarDiv
• USS Hocking (APA-21) 5th Marine Division
• USS Bayfield (APA-33) USCG Manned Ship-Hdq 4th Marine Division General Cates
• USS Callaway (APA-35) USCG Manned Ship-3rd Joint Assault Signal Co, 3rd MarDiv
• USS Fayette (APA-43) 28th Replacement Draft
• USS Fremont (APA-44)
• USS Knox (APA-46)
• USS Barrow (APA-61) 5th Amphibious Corps
• USS Berrien (APA-62)
• USS Bladen (APA-63)
• USS Carteret (APA-70)
• USS Frederick Funston (APA-89) 3rd Marine Division
• USS James O'Hara (APA-90) 28th Replacement Draft
• USS Baxter (APA-94)
• USS Cecil (APA-96) 5th Marine Battlion
• USS Hansford (APA-106) 5th Medican Battalion 1/27 5th Marine Div
• USS Highlands (APA-119) 2/27 Marines
• USS Hinsdale (APA-120) 2nd Armored Amphibious Battalion
• USS Hocking (APA-121) 26th Reg 5th Division
• USS Attala (APA-130) Delivered 90th Naval Construction/8th Construc Reg.
• USS Beckham (APA-133)
• USS Bland (APA-136) Evacuation Only
• USS Lowndes (APA-154)
• USS Mellette (APA-156) 4th MarDiv
• USS Napa (APA-157) 2/21 Hit by Japanese Aircraft/ Rammed by Logan
• USS Newberry (APA-158) Hdq Co. 4th Marine Division
• USS Darke (APA-159) 26th Marines Weapons Co,1st Rckt Sec 5th MarDiv
• USS Deuel (APA-160) 26th Marines 5th Marine Division
• USS Dickens (APA-161)-Green Beach
• USS Golden City (APA-164) Not in assault, Brought 26th Marines back
• USS Winged Arrow (APA-170)
• USS Grimes (APA-172) Embarked 4th Marine Division/2nd Armored Amph Batt 3/17
• USS Hyde (APA-173) US Army 947th AAA / 5th Marine Divsion
• USS Kingsbury (APA-177) 23rd Marines
• USS Landers (APA-178) Disembarked 4th Marine Division
• USS Pickens (APA-190) 4th Marine Division
• USS Rutland (APA-192)1/27 Marines
• USS Sanborn (APA-193) 4th Marine Division Silver Star BM1c William D. Maroney
• USS Sandoval (APA-194) 3/27th Marines
• USS Lenawee (APA-195) 5th MarDiv & 62nd Naval Construction Battalion
• USS Logan (APA-196) 10th Amphibious Tractor Battalion /4th MarDiv/ Rammed Napa
• USS Lubbuck (APA-197) 5th Marine Division
• USS Sibley (APA-206)
• USS Mifflin (APA-207)
• USS Talladega (APA-208) 5th Marine Division
• USS Missoula (APA-211)- 28th Marines 1st Flag for Iwo Jima flag raising
• USS Randall (APA-224)
• USS Rockbridge (APA-228)
• USS Sevier (APA-233)


Attack Cargo Ship
• USS Electra (AKA-4) 5th Marine Division
• USS Artemis (AKA-21)
• USS Athene (AKA-22)
• USS Leo (AKA-60)
• USS Muliphen (AKA-61)
• USS Tolland (AKA-64) Wpns Co CT HQ 26th Marines
• USS Shoshone (AKA-65)Marines and 442nd Port Company Army
• USS Southampton (AKA-66) 25th Marines 4th MarDiv
• USS Starr (AKA-67)
• USS Stokes (AKA-68)
• USS Warrick (AKA-89)
• USS Whiteside (AKA-90)
• USS Whitley (AKA-91) 2/28 Hit by Japanese Air Attack
• USS Yancey (AKA-93)


Landing Ship, Infantry/Motar/Rocket
• LCI-346 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action
• LCI-348 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action
• LCI-356
• LCI(L)-423
• LCI(G)-438 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action-hit by Iwo shore Guns
• LCI(G)-441 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action-hit by Iwo Shore Guns 7KIA
• LCI(G)-449 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action Medal Of Honor Lt. Com. Rufus G Herring/21KIA
• LCI(G)-450 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action-hit by Iwo shore Guns
• LCI(G)-457 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action-hit by Iwo shore Guns-1KIA
• LCI(M)-460 D-2 2/25 Hit by Iwo Shore Guns
• LCI(G)-466 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action-hit by Iwo shore Guns-5KIA
• LCI(G)-469 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action-hit by Iwo shore Guns
• LCI(G)-471 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action
• LCI(G)-473 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action-hit by Iwo shore Guns
• LCI(R)-474 D-2 2/17/45 UDT Action-hit by Iwo shore Guns Sunk 3KIA
• LCI(L)-628
• LCI(R)-651
• LCI(R)-708
• LCI(L)-772
• LCI(L)-994
• LCI(L)-995
• LCI(L)-998


Landing Ship, Tank
• LST-9 3d & 11th Armored Amphibian Battalion
• LST-10
• LST-11 5th Marine Division
• LST-13
• LST-14
• LST-15
• LST-16
• LST-26
• LST-27
• LST-28
• LST-34
• LST-35
• LST-36
• LST-37
• LST-38
• LST-42
• LST-70 US Coast Guard Crewed Ship
• LST-84 Landed 506th AAA Anti-Aircraft Battalion 2/25/45
• LST-121
• LST-126
• LST-166
• LST-202
• LST-206
• LST-211
• LST-224
• LST-241 5th Marine Div
• LST-264
• LST-274
• LST-354
• LST-390
• LST-399
• LST-447 Hit by dual suicide attack 7KIA landed 3rd Tank Battalion
• LST-449(UF)
• LST-477
• LST-481
• LST-587(GF) 4th MarDiv
• LST-588 2x30 Causeway Unit
• LST-628
• LST-634
• LST-642(Radar) 4th Marine Division Hdq Battlion
• LST-643
• LST-648
• LST-676 (later USS Yupai APB-42)
• LST-678 3/45 it was renamed USS Presque Isle (APB-44) A Barracks Ship
• LST-684 Brought LCT 1028
• LST-713(UF) Brought LCT-866 Blue Beach Flagship
• LST-714 4th MarDiv
• LST-715 Brought LCT-630-Co. E 2/27 5th MarDiv
• LST-716
• LST-723(Radar) 4th MarDiv
• LST-726
• LST-727 Yellow Beach
• LST-731
• LST-756(GF) Brought LCT-632
• LST-758 USCG Ship Hdq co 1st B 28th Marines 5th Marine Div/2x30 Causeway Unit Hit
• LST-760(GF) USCG Crewed Ship 3X12 Barge Unit USCG Ship - hit by shore battery
• LST-761 USCG Crewed Ship E/2/23 4th Division/2x30 Causeway Unit
• LST-763 USCG Crewed Ship 2x30 Causeway Unit
• LST-764 USCG Crewed Ship 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalion 4th MarDiv/2x30 Causeway Unit
• LST-766 USCG Crewed Ship
• LST-767
• LST-776 USCG Crewed Ship
• LST-779 2nd Flag for Flag Raising/2nd 155mm Howitzer Battalion/3X12 Barge Unit
• LST-782(UF)
• LST-784 USCG Crewed Ship-3X12 Barge Unit
• LST-785
• LST-787 USCG Crewed Ship 2x30 Causeway Unit
• LST-788 USCG Crewed Ship
• LST-789 USCG Crewed Ship
• LST-790 USCG Crewed Ship
• LST-792 (Radar)USCG Crewed Ship, 568th Signal Air Warning Battalion/hit by shore battery
• LST-795 USCG Crewed Ship
• LST-807 Floating Post Office Ship for Iwo Operation w/ 4th MarDiv
• LST-808
• LST-809
• LST-812 4th MarDiv
• LST-884 USCG Crewed Ship 62nd NCB
• LST-886 USCG Crewed Ship
• LST-928
• LST-929(H) 3X12 Barge Unit
• LST-930(H) 3X12 Barge Unit
• LST-931 3X12 Barge Unit-A Co 2nd Armored Amphibious Battalion
• LST-940
• LST-943 62nd NCB
• LST-944
• LST-1032
• LST-1033(H) 3X12 Barge Unit


Landing Craft Tank
• LCT-630
• LCT-631
• LCT-632
• LCT(6)-860
• LCT-866
• LCT-1028
• LCT-1029 Landing Craft, Tank sunk at Battle 3/2/45
• LCT-1030
• LCT-1031
• LCT-1055
• LCT-1269
• LCT-1154
• LCT-1404


Landing Ship Medium
• LSM-43
• LSM-44
• LSM-46
• LSM-47
• LSM-48
• LSM-49
• LSM-59
• LSM-60 (GF)
• LSM-70
• LSM-74
• LSM-92
• LSM-126
• LSM-140
• LSM-141
• LSM-143
• LSM-145
• LSM-201
• LSM-202
• LSM-206
• LSM-207
• LSM-211
• LSM-216 2/20 hit by Japanese aircraft
• LSM-238
• LSM-239
• LSM-241
• LSM-242
• LSM-260
• LSM-261
• LSM-264 (GF)
• LSM-266
• LSM-323


Landing Craft Support
• LCS(L)(3)-31
• LCS(L)(3)-32
• LCS(L)(3)-33
• LCS(L)(3)-34
• LCS(L)(3)-35
• LCS(L)(3)-51
• LCS(L)(3)-53
• LCS(L)(3)-55
• LCS(L)(3)-56


Submarines
• USS Spearfish (SS-190) (recon in 12/44)


Submarine Chaser
• SC-724
• SC-1054*
• SC-1066
• SC-1272
• SC-1298
• SC-1314
• SC-1315
• SC-1316
• SC-1360
• SC-1374


Landing Craft Repair Ship
• USS Agenor (ARL-3)


Dry Dock Landing Ship
• USS Ashland (LSD-1)
• USS Belle Grove (LSD-2)
• USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5)Brought LCT-631,LCT-1029, LCT-1154


Attack Ammunition Ship
• USS Nitro (AE-2)
• USS Shasta (AE-6)
• USS Wrangell (AE-12)


Troopship
• SS Sea Sturgeon


Transport
• USS Hercules (AK-41)
• USS De Grasse (AK-223)


Mine Laying ship
• USS Terror (CM-5)


Merchant Marines-Victory Ships
• SS Britain Victory
• SS Columbia Victory
• SS China Victory
• SS Joliet Victory
• SS Kingsport Victory
• SS Legion Victory
• SS Cape Fear
• SS Cape Georgia
• SS Cape Isabel
• SS Cape San Martin
• SS Cape Stevens
• SS Dashing Wave
• SS John Drake Sloat


Fleet Tug
• USS Sioux(ATF-75)
• USS Ute (ATF-76)
• USS Cree (ATF-84)
• USS Zuni (ATF-95)"Perfect Storm"USCG Rescue Ship/Yellow Beach 2 KIA & Damaged while rescue LST-727
• USS Hitchiti (ATF-103)


Patrol Craft Escort
• PCE-877 (USS Havre)


Patrol Craft
• PC-463
• PC-469 Manned by USCG US Coast Guard
• PC-578 Yellow Beach Command Ship
• PC-1081


Mine Sweeper
• USS Harry F. Bauer (DM-26/DD-738) Destroyer converted to Minelayer but used as a Picket Ship at Iwo
• USS Defense (AM-317)
• USS Devastator (AM-318)
• USS Ardent (AM-340)
• PCS-1388
• PCS-1404
• PCS-1421
• PCS-1452
• PCS-1455
• PCS-1460
• PCS-1461


Net Cargo Ship
• USS Keokuk (AKN-4) Damaged by Kamikaze 2/21/45
• USS Zebra (AKN-5) Net Cargo Ship


Other
• SS Sea Runner
• USS Hamul (AD-20) Destroyer Tender
• USS Shackle (ARS-9)
• USS Gear (ARS-34) Rescue and salvage Ship
• USS Suamico (AO-49)Oiler
• USS Schuylkill (AO-76) Oiler
• USS Sumner (AGS-5) Submarine Tender


US Coast Guard Crewed Ships


• USS Bayfield (APA-33)
• USS Callaway (APA-35)
• PC-469
• LST-70
• LST-758
• LST-760
• LST-761
• LST-763
• LST-764
• LST-768
• LST-776
• LST-784
• LST-787
• LST-789
• LST-790
• LST-792
• LST-795
• LST-788
• LST-884
• LST-886


Contributors: American Merchant Marine at War, www.usmm.org, US Militaria Forum Members,Iwo Jima Veterans and Families, B. Burns, Jim Simons, Jeffrey S. Williams,David Fredrick.

List Copyright ©2010 Leonardo Flores.