Boston Globe 3/13/05 Iwo Jima veterans mark 60th anniversary By Eric Talmadge, Associated Press IWO JIMA, Japan -- Aging US combat veterans and several former Japanese soldiers gathered on March 12, 2005 at the landing beaches of the Battle of Iwo Jima to mark the 60th anniversary of one of the symbolic battles of WWII.

 

THIS MONTH IN MILITARY HISTORY

 

A monthly update from the desk of:

Bob Hogan

Director of Burlington’s Office of Veterans Services

 

 

March

             The month of March, like every month of the year, has it’s notable events that occurred in our military history. In March of 1931, Congress approved “The Star Spangled Banner” as the official national anthem. Unofficially, Americans had been singing Francis Scott Key’s song since the War of 1812.

             In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established, providing jobs for 250,000 unemployed young men between the ages of 18 and 25. U.S. Army officers directed CCC projects in reforestation, road construction, prevention of soil erosion, flood control, and maintenance of national parks.

             On March 5, 1942, the U.S. Navy Seabees (Naval Construction Force) began operations during the early days of World War 2, and became famous during the Navy’s island hopping campaigns in the Pacific, for their engineering skills as well as their bravery.

             In March of 1943, the Battle of Bismarck Sea demonstrated the feasibility of the new “skip-bombing method of attack adopted by the Allies. In this battle, which started on March 2nd, and lasted until the 14th, American and Australian medium bombers, under Lt. Gen. George Kenney, flew low level attacks and destroyed eight Japanese Transports and four destroyers.

             Also during March 1943, the U.S. 2nd Corps opened its drive toward Gabes, Tunisia, in a series of diversionary blows intended to distract the Germans from Field Marshal Montgomery’s major assault on the Mareth Line. The new commander of 2nd Corp, Lt. Gen. George Patton, revitalized the beaten troops of Kasserine with his insistence on discipline and soldierly pride.

             On March 9, 1945, the fire bombing of Tokyo killed 84,000 Japanese and destroyed about one-fourth of the buildings in the Japanese Capital. Under the command of Maj. Gen. Curtis LeMay, the 279 Superfortresses dropped large numbers of incendiary bombs on the city. 14 Superfortresses were shot down during the operation.

             Later in March, 1945, U.S. Naval Task 58, under Admiral Mitscher, conducted carrier strikes against military targets on Kyushu to neutralize the island before the impending invasion of Okinawa.

             Also that same month, the first Allied troops to land across the Rhine were airborne forces under Maj. Gen. Matthew Ridgeway. Winston Churchill witnessed the spectacular daylight drop of two airborne divisions.

             Also in March of 1945, The U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima destroyed the last enemy resistance and occupied the island. This bloody month long campaign cost the United States more than 20,000 casualties, and almost the entire Japanese garrison of 23,000 was annihilated. Admiral Nimitz said, “ Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue. More Marines received the Medal of Honor for their bravery on Iwo, than any other campaign or battle in history.

             During the Korean War, on March 14, 1951, United Nations Forces recaptured Seoul. Seoul changed hands for the fourth time, following the success of “Operation Ripper”. Under General Matthew Ridgeway , the United Nations forces drove the enemy from Seoul and marched into the capital unopposed. By March 31, the Eighth Army resumed its old position along the 38th Parallel.

             In Vietnam, on March 3, 1965, the first direct and massive intervention of American ground forces in Vietnam began. U.S. Marines, 3,900 strong, landed on the beaches near DaNang at the request of the government of Saigon. Their mission was to protect DaNang Airbase. The old advisory role of the U.S. became a combatant role.

             On March 16, 1968, U.S. Army soldiers swept through the hamlet of My Lai outside the village of Sonsung. Lt. William Calley, was in charge of First Platoon, Company C, First Battalion, 20th Infantry, under the Command of Captain Ernest Medina. Calley was ordered to lead a task force to Son My in Quang Ngai Province and destroy a suspected Vietcong stronghold in the hamlet of My Lai.

             Reports circulated that Calley and his platoon gunned down 109 men, women and children. It was three years later, on March 29, 1971, that Lt. Calley Jr. was convicted by a court martial jury of six officers of 22 premeditated murders at My Lai Hamlet. Two days later the jury sentenced Calley to life in prison, dismissal from the service, and forfeiture of pay and allowances. His verdict was lessened to twenty years, and then he was paroled in November 1975.

             In March of 1972, the North Vietnamese launched their long anticipated invasion of South Vietnam. Communist forces staged a coordinated attack on South Vietnamese fire support bases along the DMZ.

             The following year, on March 15, 1973, Headquarters, US Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) closed in Saigon. Southeast Asia Operations would transfer to Thailand. On March 29th of that same month, the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam. Meeting the deadline set by the Paris Peace Talks, the last of the 2500 American servicemen left Saigon’s Ton Son Nhut Air Base for home.

             There were still American military personnel in Vietnam, and the dying had not yet come to an end.

              Bob Hogan, the Director of Veterans Services for the Town of Burlington, can be reached by calling 781 270-1959 or dropping by the office at 61 Center Street, the Human Services Building.