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A 24-year-old corporal who was a combat veteran of the Guadalcanal and Bougainville compaigns, Lindberg watched the intense bombardment of Iwo Jima but realized that the landing at Red Beach One would be anything but easy. "The Japs had the whole beach zeroed in. Most of the fire was coming from Suribachi," he recalled. "Suribachi was easy to take, it was getting there that was so hard."
Surrounding Mount Surbachi were cliffs, tunnels, mines, booby traps, and ravines. The hostile terrain proved to be as tough an enemy as the Japanese who were firmly entrenced on the mountain. |
| Cpl Lindberg, carried a flame thrower with Company E, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima from 19 February to 1 March 1945. As a member of the first combat patrol to scale Mount Suribachi he took his flame thrower up the steep slopes and assisted in destroying the occupants of the many caves found in the rim of the volcano. For his heroism he received the Silver Star Medal and his citation reads in part: |
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Repeatedly exposing himself to hostile grenades and machine-gun fire in order that he might reach and neutralize enemy pill-boxes at the base of Mount Suribachi, Corporal Lindberg courageouly approached within ten or fifteen yards of the emplacements before discharging his weapon, thereby assuring the annihilation of the enemy and the successful completion of his platoon's mission. While engaged in an attack on hostile cave positions on March 1, he fearlessly exposed himeself to accurate enemy fire and was subsequently wounded and evacuated. |
The 7 marines were lead by Lt. Harold Schrier, who's names were:
Plt. Sgt. Ernest Ivy Thomas - (Nickname: "Boots")
Sgt. Henry O. Hansen
Cpl..Charles W. Lindberg
Pfc. James R. Michels
Pvt Phil Ward
PhM2C John Bradley
Pfc. Raymond Jacobs
(Actual - Radioman of 1st flag raising Mt. Suribachoi, Iwo Jima. (Feb. 23, 1945)
Sgt. Howard Snyder (With the group).
These coins represent the Iwo Jima Memorial Association, Inc.
IRS 501c3 Non-profit Volunteer Marines Organization
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S. Ray Fornof |
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Continuing On: It was a small flag, (54" x 28") and as Lindberg stated, the piece of pipe they found had bullet holes already in it. The above picture shows Charles Lindberg with his flame-thrower. Centered in the picture is Lt. Schrier, Plt. Sgt. Thomas, and Cpl. Lindberg attaching the American flag to that pipe. Capt. Dave E. Severance was Commanding the 2nd -platoon E company 28th marines, 5th Marine Division. Far Right: are the 6 flag raisers. Out of the 40 man platoon that made the climb up Mt. Suribachi and raised the "First" American Flag on Japanese territory, 36 were Killed or Wounded in the subsequent fighting on Iwo Jima. Upon planting the flag, All Hell broke out!!!
Marine Corps invasion of Iwo Jima, Killed: 6,821 Wounded: approx. 19,217. Japanese: Approx. 21,000 Killed. I Harold F. Dangler spoke with Charles W. Lindberg on July 3, 2000, at the age of 80 years young. Seeing the first flag being raised through binoculars, Secretary of State "James Forrestal" said to Marine Genneral-Holland Smith, "The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years, "For the Marines, our Country, and All Americans, Charles Lindberg's partication in a significant moment in history is no way in dispute.(Read: Ahoy Marines) at Gunny G's Postal Website; http://www.angelfire.com/ca/dickg/gunny.html Headquarters wished a larger flag, (96" x 56") and gotten from LST 779. The 2nd flag was raised as the 1st came down. Press photoographer, Joe Rosental accompanied the second patrol up & took the picture. The larger flag was raised a few hours later by:
Sgt. Mike Strank
Cpl. Harlon Block
Pfc.Rene Gagnon
Pfc. Ira H. Hayes
Pfc. Franklin
Soussley (usmc) & USN pharmacist Mate I/C John H. "Doc" Bradley. Infomation by: Robert D.Sinclair, formerly-Co. E, 2nd BN, 28th Marines 5th Marine division, and by Request of the preident (F.D. Roosevelt) and The Historical Division - United States Marine Corps. (Sent to me in 1981 by Charles Lindberg) The second flag raising was most popluar with the American People & of great help with the War Bond effert also.
On the eve of Memorial Day, June 26, 2000, I received a phone call from a brother Marine, Julian Belleau, in Raleigh, N.C. knowing that Charles Lindberg & I, "Thought each other dead." He gave me the best Memorial Day I Ever Had, a 3-way conversation between us!
 President Clinton recognizes Charles Lindberg, 1995. |
The Marine Corps Archives now owns my 1st Honor wall, (Of the Flag Raising). I wrote and asked; If I could have another picture of Charles Lindberg to "GRACE" my BABI room. The day before the 4th of July, IT CAME! Charles Lindberg, with his Flamethrower & a Postscript of Activities. Then on May 28, 1985 came a letter from the Assistant: Secretry; Chase Untermeyer and past Governor: Rudy Perpich of Minnesota proclaiming the 3rd week in November to be "Charles Lindberg" week!!
"God" Bless! Charles Lindberg, is 81 yrs. |
My very upmost Heartfelt "Thanks" to my computer teacher Cherie Collins of Software Sense http://www.softwaresense.net (727) 532-4444. If ever a man had an Angel-Teacher, it's her! I'm so grateful my son found you, and "Especially" for your helping me making this whole website.
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