Remembering Iwo Jima

As a retired naval officer I found sadness, gratitude, pride and respect for our Marine Corps’ record at Iwo Jima as reported in The Times on Feb. 20. The testimony as given by various survivors was all magnificent and soul-searing.

I, too, viewed a portion of that operation against Iwo Jima--all from the sanctuary of the USS Astoria, a light cruiser. The mission of the Astoria was to provide gunnery support as needed in the operation. It had been anticipated that we would provide appropriate anti-aircraft defense in the event of attack by hostile planes--which was not required. However, to provide our troops with a little much-needed sleep, we did fire star shells through much of one night in order to illuminate enemy positions to give warning against and surprise enemy infantry attack.

My assignment in the Gunnery Department was as director officer in the forward Mark XXXVII director. I along with a crew of six controlled the three forward twin mounts of five-inch .38-caliber weapons primarily used for fire against enemy aircraft.

Early one afternoon, when my section was on watch the ship received the following message: “At 1400 ITEM (time), the United States Flag was observed flying from the summit of Mt. Suribachi.” Our battery had no serious business at the time. Accordingly I immediately made the decision to train our director on Mt. Suribachi. I realized that this was surely a momentous occasion and advised every member of our small crew that if we could find that flag every man in the director would personally see it through the optics of the 24-power range finder, and that at some time in the future he would be able to report this to his grandchildren. Fortunately for the security of the Marines and unfortunately for us, the Marines had packed up and departed.

In spite of our personal frustration, the memory of this incident will remain forever with all who were present.

HARRY J. BLEE

Palos Verdes Estates

* The commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima also marks the 50th anniversary of the death during the first hours of that 36-day conflict of Sgt. John Basilone, the only soldier in U.S. history to hold both the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, the nation’s two highest awards for bravery.

The recognition of Basilone’s heroism represents an irony not unlike that reflected by the fact that sons of Japanese internees who were members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Unit were the most highly decorated during World War II. While the patriotism of this Italian-American led him to give his life, the loyalty of California’s Italian Americans was questioned. On Feb. 1, 1942, the California State Personnel Board issued a directive barring American-born children of enemy aliens from state employment.

In 1942 in defiance of the constitutional protections for which Basilone was to give his life, L.A. Mayor Fletcher Bowron, the American Legion, the Native Sons of the Golden West and the L.A. County Democratic Party organization among others, called for the evacuation not only of all enemy aliens, but also their U.S.-born children.

The history of the internment, relocation and regulation of Italian aliens during the first months of World War II is documented in “ Una Sotria Segreta “ on exhibit at the Los Angeles Central Library through March 4.

GLORIA RICCI LOTHROP

W.P. Whitsett Chair

Department of History

Cal State Northridge