WORLD WAR II GYRENE PHOTO ALBUM

page 23

Co H 3/26 (part 2)

As part of the 5th Marine Division, Company H participated in a single campaign in World War II— the assault on Iwo Jima in February–March 1945. As with every rifle company that fought in on Iwo, Company H absorbed a terrible casualty rate.

(above) Marines of 1st Plt, H 3/26 in the field sometime in 1944. Kneeling L–R Pfc Regan Simmons (KIA), Pfc Walter James (WIA), Pvt Raymond Carcano, Pfc Benedict Bellefeuille (WIA), Pfc Walter Gralewski (WIA) Standing L–R Sgt Carl LaPone, Cpl Billie Shuel (WIA), Cpl Richard Wagner (WIA), Sgt William Hatfield (WIA), Pfc Thomas Williams (WIA), Pfc William Lafferty (WIA)

(above) Two of Company H's dead from Iwo Jima. (Left) 1stLt Angelo "Charlie" Cona, of Brooklyn, NY. (Right) Cpl Nicolas "Nic" Hernandez, of Los Angeles. Both were former Paramarines and served together in 1st Platoon. Each received a posthumous Navy Cross.

(above) Paramarines on liberty in San Diego–1943. L–R Johnnie Erotas, Joe Pagac, Ernie Barzyecki, Pete Piechorowski and Harlon Block. After the 1st Parachute Regiment was deactivated in 1944, most of these Marines were assigned to the 5th MarDiv at Camp Pendleton. Joe, Ernie and Pete went to the 26th Marines, and Harlon to the 28th. Joe and Ernie were wounded in action on Iwo. Pete and Harlon were killed there. As one of the Iwo Jima flag raisers, Harlon was immortalized in the Marine Corps War Memorial. courtesy Joe Pagac

Joe Pagac made his first parachute jump on 17 May 1943 in Platoon 64 at the Parachute Training School, Camp Gillespie. Among his fellow jumpers were all the Marines in the above photo. Joe saved his copy of the jump list, which is available HERE for viewing.

THE 26TH MARINES ON IWO JIMA

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