Last Trip to Iwo Jima

The remains (ashes) of WWII Navy Corpsman, Daniel B. Thomas F-2-23 are returned to YELLOW BEACH 2, IWO JIMA on March 12th, 2007. Danny's last wish was for his remains to be returned to the island, so that he could be together with those friends that he lost during the 36 day battle in Feb/March of 1945.

For a bit of back history, Danny's best friend "Chick" (as we was called, short for chicken) was only 15 when he joined the Marines, having lied about his age to join. Danny in a way looked after Chick like a mother hen/big brother, and it tortured Danny to his last days to have seen his best friend Chick killed in the first few moments of the battle. Danny recalled that he ran down the ramp of his Higgins boat, threw his M1 Carbine down into the sand, thinking "I was there to save lives - not take them", as he made his way to cover he turned to see if Chick were running behind him - it was then that Danny say Chick's torso propped up in the black sand (ash)... Chick had been decapitated, his legs and internal organs were strewn across the beach (as Danny recalled). Danny said "After I finished vomiting up my toe nails I went into automatic pilot and went about doing my Corpsman's work... Danny was never the same, seeing his best friend like this, and being up to his elbows in blood and guts for the next 30+ days haunted him for the rest of his life. This is why he had to go back to the island so many times to make peace with the past, and finally to be lain to rest there on that same stretch of beach. It had to be done, and it was so that his stellar Texan could finally rest.

I left the pictures, urn, and little American flag there as you see them, on the same stretch of beach that Danny and Chick landed upon, Feb 19th, 1945. I know that upon that day, March 11th, 2007 that Danny was indeed at peace and happy to be back with those whom he was so close to (and lost during the battle).

Danny was a dear friend, and a wonderful humanbeing. It has taken me over a year before I could share this simple and crude video, for no other reason that it is hard for me to watch. Each time that I even think about him or even see a photo or footage of "a" Corpsman, I think of my pal Danny, and upon doing so the tears find their way out...

Danny had no enemies, only friends, and it is so very hard to understand how he could maintain his upbeat composure-considering the hell's that he observed on Iwo Jima, in 1945. Danny was awarded the Bronze Star, yet he, himself could not tell you why, as he simply did not remember...

I like to think, that as I walked away, that each time I turned around, that little flag was 'him', waving back at me, as a sign to tell me that he was finally at peace, and with good company - Chick and the raggety ass Marines of F-2-23.

Since this piece was posted for viewing another Iwo Jima veteran, Sgt. Leon Padell HQ-2-24 and his son saw it - they were moved by it, and when the Sgt passed away his ashes were returned to Iwo on March 2008. How fitting it is that Danny, a Corpsman looked after Marines during the battle, and is still looking after them today (in a spiritual sense). If you ever get to Iwo and walk this section of Beach (Yellow Beach) please stop and take a second to remember them - you might even place a bottle/container of buttermilk for Danny and Chick as that was all they were allowed to drink back in the day - not being old enough to drink beer while on liberty with their fellow Marines (see Bradley's FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS for more on this story).

With the permission of the Padell family we included part of their father's Mount Suribachi ceremony in our Military Channel BATTLE RATS: IWO JIMA series pilot. It was decided to share this private ceremony so that others who served there and those who are not able to visit or return will know that this island is hallowed ground - that the deeds and memories of those who fought and died there will not be forgotten - and how we should then appreciate what we have today as so many like young Chick (age 15) never got to.

I appolojize for the poor camera work, I can only saw I was a bit dazed when I shot it, nevertheless I hope you can enjoy it for what it is and the next time you run into an Iwo veteran (or any WWII veteran for that matter), look 'em in the eyes, shake his hand and say thank you.

Lastly I would like to mention and thank Kearny Glenn, as without him Danny's returning Danny to the island would not have been possible.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Iwo
• Jima
• USMC
• Corpsman
• WWII
• WW2
• World
• War
• Two
• Second
• veteran
• Pacific
• Japanese
• memorial
• marine
• corps
• the
• pacific
• hbo

[tripolibaby62]

Danny was a soft spoken guy, being 19 at the time and the first combat he saw, running down the ramp of his LCVP landing craft and seeing his best friend - a 15 year old Marine nick-named "Chick" decapitated was too much for him. From that moment, and until 60 years later, Danny was tormented by the visions of the dead on Iwo. he told me of ghosts that would come and haunt him in his sleep, that he would awake in a pool of cold sweat and thought he was back THERE in Iwo...

[CarterAndKevStudios]

Im sorry to hear about that. His sacrafice is highly appreciated. Vets are my heroes.

[minnsyz]

wow! what a story! He has my sincere gratitude and admiration for his lifelong price for service to our country!

[jukie1414]

o my god, :53 is that surubstchi and you should upload some more vids if you have any the ww2 ones are great

[DeckMechRyan]

Just got done with the Iwo Jima Commemoration and have lots of pics. There is an ominous feeling about the entire island! Its almost calming though. So much History involved and an honor to be a part of the OP 2010

[HosackDan]

its good knowing such great people exist.... my grand uncle died last year.... clair chaffin... he meant alot to me... he was there on those beaches... fought harder then most i know... he was shot by two black children last year....he was a hero... saved many lives and almost lived long enough to live his.... he's my true hero

[MCPOWest]

Truly inspiring, thank you very much for sharing this with the world. You have indeed provided Doc Thomas a great service. Honorable actions without question.

I salute you and all involved with your efforts.

My Sincerest Respect & Gratitude,

Master Chief Petty Officer West

USMC & USN

Retired

[multicam2000]

Thanks for posting this and thanks to all of our ww2 vets. Semper fi.

[Eye4Lites]

Age will not weary them,

Nor the years condemn,

At the setting of the sun,

and in the morning,

We will remember.

Semper Fi

[lepordeno]

I am very sorry to hear this, gratitude all around