March 2, 2025 – On Friday February 21, 2025, several veterans were honored at the National Museum of the Pacific War located in Fredricksburg, Texas. The timing coincides with the 80th anniversary of American troops landing on Iwo Jima, eventually overtaking the Japanese in one of the most pivotal battles in the South Pacific during World War II.
The Greatest Generation
A large crowd of more than 100 made up of veterans, museum staff, family, and guests gathered inside the Admiral Nimitz Theater as retired Brigadier General Steve Salazar led the program as the CEO and President of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Inclement weather prevented an outdoor ceremony, but a commemorative plaque was dedicated by Salazar that will forever honor those soldiers that fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima between February 19, 1945 and March 25, 1945. The crowd rose to their feet with a standing ovation as Iwo Jima veteran Bill Lozano was introduced to the attendees. Lozano, who will turn 100 this year, was on the USS Washington during the battle, with his Navy ship supporting the Marines as they landed. Lozano spent much of his time watching the action from his work position in the crow’s nest of the ship. Bill Lozano continued his service to his country 80 years later by entertaining the crowd that had gathered as he recounted his personal account of the battle.
Another WWII veteran was recognized for his service in the South Pacific. Norm Miller, did not participate in the battle of Iwo Jima, but spent a lot of time in other areas including on one of the ships just off the coast of Japan ready to strike Tokyo as the American fleet progressed toward taking Japan. The use of the atomic bomb quickly ended World War II, thus cancelling the need for a land invasion of Tokyo. Norm Miller, a resident of Fredricksburg, volunteers at the National Museum of the Pacific War at 99-years-old.
Presentations and Proclamations
Current Fredricksburg Mayor, Jeryl Hoover, read a proclamation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. The city of Fredricksburg and the National Museum of the Pacific War have a wonderful relationship as the city was chosen to house the museum as it is the birthplace of Chester Nimitz, Chief of Naval Operations during WWII in South Pacific. The museum, expanding over the years now houses many exhibits in different buildings and areas scattered throughout downtown Fredricksburg. The museum first opened in 1968 as the Admiral Nimitz Museum inside a hotel owned by Nimitz’s grandfather Charles Henry Nimitz. In 2000, the complex was renamed Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site – National Museum of the Pacific War and is dedicated exclusively to the Pacific Theater battles of World War II. On December 7, 2009, the museum hosted the Grand Reopening of the newly expanded George H. W. Bush Gallery where the second floor houses the Nimitz Education and Research Center. Former President George H. W. Bush his wife Barbara, along with Texas Governor Rick Perry, cut the ribbon.
One Picture Solidifies American Military Resolve
Many can agree that one picture remains the most famous war photo of all time, the photo depicting the Raising of The Flag on Iwo Jima. It took much longer to agree who was actually in the photo raising the flag. To complicate matters, the famous photo was actually from the second flag raising on Mount Suribachi just a few hours after the first flag was planted atop the highest point in Iwo Jima. U.S. Marines scaled the 550-foot mountain to plant the first flag on the morning of February 23, 1945 to signal to the more than 800 ships in the bay that the mountain had been captured. There was still a lot of fighting ahead for troops to overcome all of the Japanese on the rocky island, but Lieutenant Colonel Chandler W. Johnson ordered a Marine captain to send a platoon to the top of the mountain and plant a flag in a show of force. Pictures were taken of the first flag raising, but Colonel Johnson wanted a larger flag flown from the mountaintop, so a larger flag was located, and another group of soldiers were dispatched up the steep terrain. More photographers accompanied the group but it was a chance photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal from the Associated Press that quickly became a symbol of American military strength. As the photo was sent back to the United States within less than a day, and distributed through Associated Press quickly appearing on newspapers across the country. Once President Franklin D. Roosevelt saw the photo he knew of the importance of using the photo to help bolster the war effort through the upcoming Seventh War Loan Drive (the sale of war bonds).
Three of the soldiers believed to have been part of the second flag raisers were whisked back to Washington D.C. The remaining three flag raisers were believed to have been killed in action during the later days of the Iwo Jima Battle. As it turned out, the original six flag raisers were incorrectly identified and the ensuing mystery would take more than 75 years to solve with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During a presentation at the National Museum of the South Pacific War, Keil Gentry who is the Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps laid out a timeline and the many investigations into the flag raisers identities which culminated in the FBI using film footage and photographs from both flag raisings to ultimately identify the following Marines as the flag raisers in the iconic photograph: Harlon Block (KIA), Harold Keller, Franklin Sousley (KIA), Michael Strank (KIA), Harold Schultz, Ira Hayes.
Black Dragon
Several authors, historians, and World War II experts spoke during a forum on Saturday, February 22, 2025. World War II Author Steven McCloud gave an account of how the Marine rifle companies were challenged with the terrain of Iwo Jima and split up into smaller groups to advance against the Japanese. McCloud’s book tells the story of a single rifle company instrumental in battles in the South Pacific. His book, Black Dragon, recounts the experiences of a single Marine rifle company (F-23 Fox Company) as they make their way through the central pacific during World War II. The title, Black Dragon, referring to the nightmares some Marines endured over the years from their experiences. McCloud enhances the validity and detail of his book by painstaking research of battlefield reports and extensive interviews with surviving members of Fox Company. The author was invited into the inner circle of Fox Company through correspondence and reunions to be able to repeat the first-hand accounts of these brave Marines. Surviving members of Fox Company were able to slay their black dragons by sharing their stories. The author’s detail accounts for the lengthy 576-page historic read published by Texas A&M University Press. The book is available in hardcover and Kindle through Amazon by clicking here.
Conclusion
As surviving World War II veterans diminish daily, it remains even more important than ever to take the chance to honor these heroes as well as hear their stories. As most of these veterans reach the century mark, we will soon lose the ability to hear first-hand stories of this pivotal time in our history. The quote, “Uncommon valor was a common virtue” is attributed to Chester Nimitz as he spoke about the bravery of Marines who fought at Iwo Jima. The same can be said of all soldiers involved in World War II. I recommend a visit to the National Museum of Pacific War in Fredricksburg. As a side note, if your car journey takes your through Llano during the morning time, consider a stop at Chrissy’s Homestyle Bakery. The fresh baked items were phenomenal and the service was equally impressive.
