CO - Major John Antonelli

CO - Major John Antonelli. XO/CO - Major Gerald Russell. On February 19, 1945, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines joined the first wave of Marines to land at Iwo Jima. Many, including PFC John "Hoopy" Fulton, never made it beyond the beach that first day. The enemy zealously defended against the first landing on actual Japanese soil. Marines endured brutal terrain, stockpiled arsenals and Japanese soldiers in underground shelters. Over the course of the 35 day battle, Marines often came under fire 24 hours a day. Some days no advance was made, while on other days they would gain as much as 300 yards. On March 9, 1945 the battalion Executive Officer, Major Gerald F. Russell, took command of the battalion when Major John W. Antonelli was wounded. Major Russell himself had been wounded just days earlier but refused evacuation. In the end, the Japanese could not withstand the fury of the attack of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines. It was the courage and tenacity of the individual Marines who raised the American Flag on Mt. Suribachi and defeated the Japanese. Of the 943 members of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines who landed on the island, only 594 left the island with their unit. 316 Purple Hears were awarded to those wounded or killed in action. More than 23,000 Marines and Sailors were casualties at the end of the battle.