On Sunday 25 February at the home of Delaware County Detachment #288 of the Marine Corps League in Upland, the annual luncheon commemorating the Battle of Iwo Jima 69 years ago and honoring the surviving veterans was held. The luncheon was co-hosted by the Delco Detachment together with the Gen. Smedley D. Butler Detachment headquartered in Newtown Square. Sunday was the anniversary of the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi by United States Marines. The flag raising picture taken by Joe Rosenthal became the most iconic photo of the war. During the battle from 19 February to 26 March 1945, 6821 Marines were killed and 19217 were wounded. Japanese deaths in this battle numbered at over 22,000. Only 216 Japanese soldiers were taken alive. The Gen. Smedley D. Butler Detachment counts four of its members among the Iwo Jima veterans. They are: Don Walz, Walt Talmadge, George Edelmann, and Lou Camilli.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
More from Marple Newtown
Restaurants & Bars|
Popular Philly Cheesesteak Eatery Expands To Newtown Square
