Tag Archives: deadly journey

Long before most people alive today were an itch in their daddy’s ball sack, there were men like my father that fought for the freedoms that we now enjoy today. Most of the idiots on the internet learn their U.S. history from CNN.com and TMZ.com, but there is more to this country than cheese burgers, I-Phones and porno. Perhaps today would be a good time to stop and remember those that died so you could watch porno. Bob

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Iwo Jima flag raising is one of the nation’s most recognizable statues.

Sixty-five years ago the Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions were able to push inland, but the Japanese fought back hard. After four days of bitter fighting, the American troops reached the top of the mountain and raised the flag.

While the victory was iconic during World War II, for thousands of United States servicemen, Feb. 19, 1945 was the start of a deadly journey to the island of Iwo Jima.

Lloyd Grady doesn’t get around like he used to. He may not have as much hair, but his memory is still sharp when asked about his days as a Navy shipman in 1945.

“That island was a death trap,” he said.

Grady served two tours in the Navy, the second on a 10,000 ton ship, carrying tanks, trucks and troops toward the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.

Looking through his suitcase filled with memories such as dog tags, service medals and pictures of how it was during the war, Grady remembers a night on the ship when he was on watch duty. A flare went off and within minutes nearly a hundred young American men were dead, taken by surprise as they waited for daylight to board the vessel.

“Then I heard all kinds of screaming, cussing, fighting and hollering,” he said. “A group of Japanese swam up in the ocean and got behind the lines and got into a group of Marines with no ammo. Ninety-five were supposed to come on our vessel. We were going to raise them up at 9 in the morning and all 95 were killed.”

More than 25,000 Americans were killed or hurt on the eight-mile island.

Grady and his wife are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year.