Best Friends
Willie's son, Danny Adams of Belt, MT, has a picture of Willie in Japan on Occupation Duty, dated May 16, 1946. Standing with him are Norman Casteel, Miller Moffet, and Robert Sharkey (from Texas).
While Admas was with the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima, his green service blouse has a 2nd Marine Division insignia attached.
Other Memories
The 2nd Mar Div deployed during September 1945 to Nagasaki, Japan. Participated in the occupation of Japan, September 1945-June 1946. Relocated during June-July 1946 to Camp Lejune, North Carolina.
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. The criteria were announced in a War Department circular dated February 22, 1932, and authorized award to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, Army Wound Ribbon, or were authorized to wear Wound Chevrons subsequent to April 5, 1917 MoreHide
Comments
WIA at Iwo Jima. Feb. 22-25, USS Solace (AH-5).
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to
ASSAULT TROOPS OF THE FIFTH AMPHIBIOUS CORPS, (REINFORCED)
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set... The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to
ASSAULT TROOPS OF THE FIFTH AMPHIBIOUS CORPS, (REINFORCED)
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action during the seizure of enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, February 19-28 1945. Landing against resistance which rapidly increased in fury as the Japanese pounded the beaches with artillery, rocket and mortar fire, the assault troops of the FIFTH Amphibious Corps inched ahead through shifting black volcanic sands, over heavily mined terrain, toward a garrison of jagged cliffs barricaded by an interlocking system of caves, pillboxes, and blockhouses commanding all approaches. Often driven back with terrific losses in firece hand-to-hand combat, the Assault Troops repeatedly hurled back the enemy's counterattacks to regain and hold lost positions, and continued the unrelenting drive to high ground and Motoyama Airfield No. 1, captured by the end of the second day. By their individual acts of heroism and their unfailing teamwork, these gallant officers and men fought against their own battle-fatigue and shock to advance in the face of the enemy's fanatical resistance; they charged each strongpoint, one by one, blasting out the hidden Japanese troops or sealing them in; within four days they had occupied the southern part of Motoyama Airfield No. 2; simultaneously they stormed the steep slopes of Mount Suribachi to raise the United States Flag; and they seized the strongly defended hills to silence the guns commanding the beaches and ensure the conquest of Iwo Jima, a vital inner defense of the Japanese Empire.
For the President,
John L. Sullivan
Secretary of the Navy
MoreHide
Criteria The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. ... The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. Marine Corps while on active duty for a specified period of time. MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria Occupation duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern area may be credited to organizations for duty performed on and subsequent to May 8, 1945. Terminal dates for eligibility periods and occupation ... Occupation duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern area may be credited to organizations for duty performed on and subsequent to May 8, 1945. Terminal dates for eligibility periods and occupation territories in this area are as follows: Italy: November 8, 1945 to December 15, 1947, Trieste: May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1954, Germany (exclusive of Berlin): May 9, 1945 to May 5, 1955, Berlin: May 9, 1945 to October 2, 1990, Austria: May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1955, Asiatic-Pacific Area: September 2, 1945 to April 27, 1952. Units performing service in the Korean area during the period of June 27, 1950 to April 27, 1952, inclusive, and which are eligible for the Korean Service Medal, will not be credited with eligibility for the Navy Occupation Service Medal for the same period. MoreHide
Description The Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March 1945), or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States Armed Forces fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the JapaneThe Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March 1945), or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States Armed Forces fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Empire. The American invasion had the goal of capturing the entire island, including its three airfields (including South Field and Central Field), to provide a staging area for attacks on the Japanese main islands. This five-week battle comprised some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of the War in the Pacific of World War II.
After the heavy losses incurred in the battle, the strategic value of the island became controversial. It was useless to the U.S. Army as a staging base and useless to the U.S. Navy as a fleet base. However, Navy SEABEES rebuilt the landing strips, which were used as emergency landing strips for USAAF B-29s.
The Imperial Japanese Army positions on the island were heavily fortified, with a dense network of bunkers, hidden artillery positions, and 18 km (11 mi) of underground tunnels. The Americans on the ground were supported by extensive naval artillery and complete air supremacy over Iwo Jima from the beginning of the battle by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators.
Iwo Jima was the only battle by the U.S. Marine Corps in which the Japanese combat deaths were thrice those of the Americans throughout the battle. Of the 22,000 Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima at the beginning of the battle, only 216 were taken prisoner, some of whom were captured because they had been knocked unconscious or otherwise disabled. The majority of the remainder were killed in action, although it has been estimated that as many as 3,000 continued to resist within the various cave systems for many days afterwards, eventually succumbing to their injuries or surrendering weeks later.
Despite the bloody fighting and severe casualties on both sides, the Japanese defeat was assured from the start. Overwhelming American superiority in arms and numbers as well as complete control of air power — coupled with the impossibility of Japanese retreat or reinforcement — permitted no plausible circumstance in which the Americans could have lost the battle.
The battle was immortalized by Joe Rosenthal's photograph of the raising of the U.S. flag on top of the 166 m (545 ft) Mount Suribachi by five U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy battlefield Hospital Corpsman. The photograph records the second flag-raising on the mountain, both of which took place on the fifth day of the 35-day battle. Rosenthal's photograph promptly became an indelible icon — of that battle, of that war in the Pacific, and of the Marine Corps itself — and has been widely reproduced.... More
Memories Records indicate Willie served with D Company, 2/28, 5th Mar Div. He landed on Iwo Feb 19, 1945, wasRecords indicate Willie served with D Company, 2/28, 5th Mar Div. He landed on Iwo Feb 19, 1945, was wounded, and spent Feb. 22-25, on the USS Solace (AH-5).
The detailed scheme of maneuver for the landings provided for the 28th Marine Regiment of the 5th Marine Division, commanded by Colonel Harry B. Liversedge, to land on the extreme left of the corps on Green 1.
There were about 80 rifle companies in the 5th Amphibious Corps. The 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division consisted of D, E & F Companies. Not known in advance, was that Easy Company would be the unit raising the flag on Mount Suribachi.
Each company consisted of a headquarters section, three rifle platoons, a machine gun platoon, and a mortar platoon.
After a long bombardment by the Army Air Corps and Navy lasting 75 days, the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions invaded Iwo Jima on the morning of February 19, 1945, D-Day.
Companies D & F led the 2nd Battalion on D-Day, Feb 19, with E Company in reserve.
The 28th Regiment, 5th Division was ordered to capture Mount Suribachi. The regiment reached the base of the volcano on the afternoon of February 21, and by nightfall the next day had almost completely surrounded it.
On the morning of Feb 20, all three battalions of the 28th Marines occupied a line across the neck of the island facing towards Suribachi.
On D-plus 2 the 2nd Battalion was only about 200 yards from Suribachi?s main defenses.
Attacking Suribachi?s defenses across open terrain, the 2nd Battalion was caught up in some of the heaviest fighting. Casualties began to mount as the line edged forward. One Marine said later, ?There was nothing glorious or inspiring about it. Most of us felt only reluctance and enervating anxiety. There seemed nothing ahead but death. I was seized by hopelessness. I could feel the fear dragging at my jowls?.
?There wasn?t a man among us who didn?t wish to God he was moving in the opposite direction. But we had been ordered to attack, so we would attack. Few of us would have admitted we were bound by the old-fashioned principle of death before dishonor, but it was probably this, above all else, that kept us pressing forward.?
When Chandler Johnson came forward, he was jubilant. Suribachi had been breached, and one of his companies had done it, destroying well over fifty bunkers, pillboxes, and other defenses.
The morning of D-plus 4, Chandler Johnson?s 2nd Battalion, facing what appeared to be the one practical route to the top of Suribachi, got the call to ?secure and occupy the summit?.
Johnson decided to send an assault patrol, provided by Easy Company. The task fell to 3rd Platoon, now down to 25 men.
At 10:20 AM, the pole was planted, the flag raised and Mount Suribachi became the first piece of land under the direct administration of Tokyo to be captured by American forces.
Observers below pointed and shouted, ?The flag?s up! The flag?s up!? Some wept, others cheered, and the electrifying news spread around the island. The beachmaster, turning his public address system up to its highest volume, announced the event up and down the beach and to the nearest vessels of the fleet.
More and more cheering erupted, accompanied by fog horns, whistles, and bells. Coast Guardsman Chet Hack said, ?The uproar almost shook the sky?.
On D-plus 9, the 28th Marines was in corps reserve, at the base of Suribachi. Most did not expect to do any fighting to the north, convincing themselves that the island would soon be secure.
On Feb 28 the 28th Marines received orders to relieve 27th Marines.
On March 1st the 28th Marines went back into action for the first time since the fall of Suribachi, and were cut up badly in their zone on the west coast. Hill 362A and its approaches abounded with caves, tunnels, and pockets, filled with defenders.
On March 2, the 28th Regiment reached the Nishi Ridge.... More
Best Friends
Norman Casteel, Miller Moffet, and Robert Sharkey (from Texas).
Best Moment
Feb 1-4, at sea aboard the USS Missoula (APA-211). 5, arrived at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands and sailed therefrom on 7. 8-10, at sea. 11, arrived and disembarked at Saipan, Marianas Islands. 11, embarked aboard LST-390 at Saipan, Marianas Islands, and sailed therefrom same date. 11-18, at sea. 19, arrived and disembarked at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands.
Worst Moment
Feb 22-25, sk USS Solace (AH-5)
Other Memories
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to
ASSAULT TROOPS OF THE FIFTH AMPHIBIOUS CORPS, (REINFORCED) UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action during the seizure of enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, February 19-28 1945. Landing against resistance which rapidly increased in fury as the Japanese pounded the beaches with artillery, rocket and mortar fire, the assault troops of the FIFTH Amphibious Corps inched ahead through shifting black volcanic sands, over heavily mined terrain, toward a garrison of jagged cliffs barricaded by an interlocking system of caves, pillboxes, and blockhouses commanding all approaches. Often driven back with terrific losses in firece hand-to-hand combat, the Assault Troops repeatedly hurled back the enemy's counterattacks to regain and hold lost positions, and continued the unrelenting drive to high ground and Motoyama Airfield No. 1, captured by the end of the second day. By their individual acts of heroism and their unfailing teamwork, these gallant officers and men fought against their own battle-fatigue and shock to advance in the face of the enemy's fanatical resistance; they charged each strongpoint, one by one, blasting out the hidden Japanese troops or sealing them in; within four days they had occupied the southern part of Motoyama Airfield No. 2; simultaneously they stormed the steep slopes of Mount Suribachi to raise the United States Flag; and they seized the strongly defended hills to silence the guns commanding the beaches and ensure the conquest of Iwo Jima, a vital inner defense of the Japanese Empire.
For the President, John L. Sullivan Secretary of the Navy
Willie's son, Danny Adams of Belt, MT, has a picture of Willie in Japan on Occupation Duty, dated May 16, 1946. Standing with him are Norman Casteel, Miller Moffet, and Robert Sharkey (from Texas).
While Admas was with the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima, his green service blouse has a 2nd Marine Division insignia attached.
The 2nd Mar Div deployed during September 1945 to Nagasaki, Japan. Participated in the occupation of Japan, September 1945-June 1946. Relocated during June-July 1946 to Camp Lejune, North Carolina.