FORT SILL Okla_ A few dozen Fort
Sill Marines got a first-hand account of history today: the battle for Iwo Jima, one of the biggest of World War Two's campaign
in the pacific.
Medal of Honor
recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams talked to the newly-minted Marines
about his time fighting the war and how much things have changed today.
Williams spoke
Thursday as part of the 2013 Iwo Jima Reunion Tour. He said although the
weapons and tactics have evolved over the years, the unique experience of war
remains the same.
7News Reporter Nicole Osei talked with Iwo Jima
survivors and learned about its impact on their lives. Over 6,000 Americans and
22,000 Japanese lost their lives defending what they held dear.
"It's hard
to describe really," US Marine and Iwo Jima
veteran James Krodell said. "We've seen death, you know. It's just unbearable."
These Sill Marines
sat awestruck, listening to the war stories of veterans like Krodell and Hershel
Williams. Williams came home wearing the highest honor given a service member: The
Medal of Honor. He was a Corporal back then, and he said he always thinks about
who he's wearing the medal for.
"I wear
the medal particularly in honor of two marines that day who were protecting me
so the Japanese couldn't get to me," Williams said. "Two of them gave their
lives giving that protection. So, when I wear it, I always wear it in their
honor, not mine."
Williams said
after the war, it took him a while to get the courage to talk about his
haunting memories of the battle. He said while he may not remember the names of
some of his fallen comrades, he will never forget the sacrifice they made.
"One of the
fellows that we lost on Iwo
couldn't have been closer to me than if he were a brother," Williams said, "And
either one of us would have given their life for the other. When I lost him
that day, it was more emotional to me than when I lost my brothers."
The new Marines
say the memories Williams and Krodell shared today taught them something they
could never learn in a history book.
"It's
pretty intense," Private First Class Bert Seville said. "It's just a physical
reminder that that's what Marines were called to do at that point. It may be
similar to what we're called to do in the future. Meeting someone that was
actually there is kind of a special experience."
"It's a
life experience for sure," Private First Class David Henry said. "My grandpa
was actually a Marine at Iwo Jima, so I talked
to him before. He kind of inspired me to become a Marine. It was a great
experience to be here today to see another Marine from Iwo
Jima."
Williams received his Medal of Honor in 1945 for repeatedly putting
himself in the line of fire to kill the enemy.
