The Amazing Story of Iwo Jima that Inspired Flags of Our Fathers

Wonderful first hand account of what must have been done in the Pacific WW II theater. Thank you for both your willingness to serve our great nation and your willingness to document the historical account. Very respectfully yours, Jon of Collierville, TN.

I am not quite throught this quick read about the invasion of Iwo Jima and the units that advanced upon Mount Suribachi. It is a well written story and gives the reader the feeling of what it means to be an infantry soldier. It is not a long book or a book about logistics and armies. It is about a battalion of Marines that advanced on a fortress a long way from home. This is not a new book, but a good book to revisit the Pacific in WWII.

It may be trivial but the author used the phrase "I myself" or "He himself" so often it was a distraction. Also, the story was shallow and without much detail. I cannot for the life of me understand how an ex-marine could possibly turn liberal in later life unless he was one to begin with.

Don't understand how author was taken to hospital ship and still wrote details as if he were actually there with the fighting.
I was there from D day plus 2 and can write about it, because I was still there every day until the Marines left for Maui.

The first flag raising is something every US Marine is knowledgeable about. For most "regular folks" it will probably be a revelation. Cpl. Wheeler has given voice to combat in a way that allows the reader to be there. While the following years and decades have produced multitudes of "notable" battles, in which young men overcame fears and incredible hardships, Iwo Jima still stands as a testament to "The Greatest Generation".

Marines, by our own admission, remain a special breed of people. The current "crop", as well as all after Iwo Jima, carries the honor of, and the lessons learned from, the 3rd Platoon always.

Semper Fidelis, Cpl Wheeler... Fair Winds and Following Seas to all.

The book gives an excellent picture of what it was to be a Marine fighting on Iwo Jima. The book contains photographs and very useful maps. It is a personal story of only one part of the battle, and as such it does not cover everything, but what it does cover it does well. Being a personal account, it does not have any details of the planning before the invasion of Iwo Jima, of naval actions before or after the fighting, or of the fighting of other units or even of his own unit after the flag raising. These details are covered in Richard Wheeler more comprehensive account about the battle for Iwo Jima, "Iwo", and I also recommend that book.

This is a re-release of a book originally written in 1965. This review is based on my hardcopy version of this first hand account of the actions of 3rd Platoon, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment fighting as part of the 5th Marine Division, who raised the first US flag over Mount Suribachi. The author was a member of this platoon and participated in the actions that are described, until being wounded before the flag raising itself. The book details the fighting of his unit during the first four days of fighting on Iwo Jima, culminating with the flag raising. This, the first of two flag raisings, has been overshadowed by the more famous second one because of the iconic photograph taken of the second flag raising. Half of the members of the platoon that were present at the second flag raising were also from Easy Company, but not from the third Platoon. While both flag raisings were important because they gave heart to the Marines and the nation, they only marked the end of the first phase of the battle, with much more fighting yet to come. In fact, most of the casualties of the Iwo Jima fighting occurred after the flag raisings.

Really well written first-hand account of Suribachi and the 3rd Platoon Easy Company. Accounts that I had read and heard often gloss over the details of the intense battle that these men took part..
Strongly Recommend

so many americans seem to take our god given inalienable rights for granted today. I believe every american needs to know what sacrifice under the circmstances of suribachi and iwo entailed. no one should graduate high school who hasnt read this book!

The re-release of "the Bloody Battle for Suribachi" is a wonderful edition to the collection of books written by Richard Wheeler. I know Wheeler personally, and at his age he has worked hard along with his 2nd cousin Jackie Russel. It is enlightening to see what inspiration can do for an aging Iwo Jima vet. He autographed a copy for my son. The inscription goes,"I hope that you cheerish your life the way I have cheerished mine." My son is 15 years old, it will be given to him at his high school graduation! Wheeler is finally getting the recognition that he so deserves!!
Steve Krott
PS.He is a hero to me and my family!!!!!!

Excellent first hand account. Respectively written, and a tribute to the young men who took on an impossible task with pride of a well trained team. Author brings to light the vivid images as well as raw emotions of battle.

A well written book that explains but does not romanticize the battle for Suribachi. The prose is written in an easy to read style and keeps the reader engaged throughout. A good story of the generation of heroes who saved the world from the evil that was the Nazis and The empire of Japan.