05/27/2024
In memorial of my uncle Kennon Bailey who served with the USMC 12th Marine Regiment at the Battle of Iwo Jima and his fellow 6,821 Brothers who fell with him during the 36 days of fighting.
Cpl. Kennon George Bailey
KIA Iwo Jima Feb 26 1945
1st Battalion 12th Marine 3rd Div.
"Among the Americans who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue." Admiral Chester Nimitz
D+7: 26 February 1945
Monday dawned bright but chilly and the American offensive started once again. Since only one battery of the 12th Marines had made it ashore so far, a provisional battalion with the 13th and 14th Marines under the 12th's control provided artillery support to the 9th Marines ground attack on 'Hill Peter,' but once again they were frustrated in their advance. On the left flank, the 5th Marine Division turned their attention to Hill 362A that was some 600yds south of the village of Nishi and surrounded by an extensive system of defences. Tanks from the 5th Tank Battalion attacked and advanced some 100yds while the 27th Marines (on the left of the 26th Marines) advanced along the west coast assisted by naval gunfire. The 25th Marines replaced the 24th Marines in the battle for Hill 382 in the 'Meatgrinder' and their initial attack advanced over 100yds before it was halted by machine gun fire from the 'Amphitheater' and 'Turkey K**b'. The 23rd Marines had moved through a minefield at the edge of the airfield and as they approached a ruined radio station at the foot of the hill, they were met by an intense artillery barrage and machine gun fire that stopped the advance in its tracks. It was obvious that the Marines had come up against the Japanese main defensive line and that the Japanese would be retreating no further.
This five-week battle comprised some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of South Pacific. US Forces would prove victorious with great sacrifice of 26,040 total casualties.
