Uncommon Valor, Common Virtue

by Hal Buell

"Among the Americans who served on the Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common virtue." -Admiral Chester Nimitz"Surviving that beach was like walking in the rain without getting wet. As I ducked from shell hole to shell hole, I spotted bodies and body parts. The sand was discolored in so many places to a deep red by the blood of those who preceded me.The onslaught was hell's horror. Pillboxes emerged like magic from the terrain and poured a hail of fire on the beach. Artillery from the other side of the island opened up. Landing craft were hit in the water, the Marines on board slain before they fired a shot. Mortars and shells came in, wounding again those already wounded.I finally hitched a ride and made it to the command vessel in time to get my photos on the plane to Guam. I wondered whether I could return and face that beach yet again..." —Joe Rosenthal, from Uncommon Valor, Uncommon VirtueIt remains the U.S. Marine Corps. bloodiest battle. In thirty-six days of horrific fighting,