New Britain in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

National Iwo Jima Memorial

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

1. National Iwo Jima Memorial

(west side) The granite column at the left holds the Eternal Flame. The monuments to the right honor Medical Corps Personnel and Chaplains

Inscription.
(west side)
Battle for Iwo Jima World War II
Connecticut Men Killed In Action Benny R. Amarone • Robert C. Armstrong • Roger W. Arsenault • Richard Barella • Lewis G. Benko • Henry J. Blaski • Fred W. Borger • Walter E. Brandenberger • James M. Bredice • Walter J. Brzozowski • John N. Budway • William F. Caldwell • Edw. A. Carlson • Francis D. Carlson • Henry S. Chapman • Paul J. Cushman • Albert J. DelVecchio • Edward R. Dennett • James E. Dermody • Frank DeWolfe • Odell Doyon • James Duffy • Oliver B. Ellsworth Jr. • Irving W. Estabrook Jr. • Ernest D. Evleth • Edward Ezepchak • William E. Fallon • Frank T. Fisco • John S. Gardiner • Joseph L. Gearhart • Robert A. Geer • Frederick D. Gilbert • Ludwig A. Halas • William R. Stolzenberg • Edward J. DeSautels • George F. Hyland • Edward J. Johnson • Robert E. Krosky • Joseph W. Lenzi • Walter B. Liss • Lorrin F. Lane • Enrice Latorraca Jr. • Alexander Logoyke • George E. Lord • Richard P. Lynch • Thornton H. Lyttle • Donald E. Maley • William A. Malizewski • Joseph Manzone • Joseph A. Martel • Edward R. Matava • Raymond McAdoo • John R. McGrew • Henry Milkowski • Robert

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R. Moone • Don B. Moreland • John A. Muscoe • Vincenzo Murrone • Charles L. Nagle • Joseph J. Nowie • Stephen R. O'Donovan • Roger W. Olmstead • Frank W. Palumbo • Donald L. Pennington • David Phaneuf • Stewart J. Phillips • August Porco • Steve Richick • Joseph C. Riordan • Eugene E. Roberts • Armand J. Robidoux • Charles B. Rossi • George Roth Jr. • Robert A. Rotunno • Frank Senick • Victor J. Skone • Charles P. Smith • Walter Sokoli • Aldo L. Sorcinelli • Frank Souza Jr. • Ed F. Sparkowski • Walter Stankowich • Henry F. Suleski • Edw. M. Terreau • Raymond D. Thompson • Marvin D. Tinker • Henry A. Tyler Jr. • Richard H. VonEgidy • Edwin H. Voorhees Jr. • Karl N. Watcke • Wm. J. White • Herbert A. Wildman Jr. • Richard J. Wilkinson Jr. • David P. Winspur • John E. Winzler • Harold C. Wooster • John J. Yakupco • James Yncera • Thomas A. Young • John B. Zwanch
"Uncommon valor was a common virtue."
Adm. Chester Nimitz
(south side left panel)
The Assault On
Iwo Jima
February 1945

(map of the island)

"By their victory, the 3rd, 4th, & 5th Marine Divisions
and other units of the V Amph. Corps have made
an accounting to their country

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

2. National Iwo Jima Memorial

(west side)

which only
history will be able to value fully."
Adm. Chester Nimitz
(south side right panel)
Iwo Jima - - - An Inferno
Of Heartbreak And
Heroism And Mankinds
Epic Finale Of Hand
To Hand Combat.
Now It Belongs To
History."
David Douglas Duncan
The bronze flag raising sculpture above depicts the historic photograph taken by Associated Press Combat Photographer Joe Rosenthal on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima on the fifth day of the battle. His photograph of the flag raising was instrumental in recording for history the decisive and inspirational action of the battle. It has become the symbol of the patriotism, the unity of purpose, and the spirit of victory displayed by all Americans during World War II. Joseph Petrovics is the sculptor who created, from Joe Rosenthal's photo, the bronze sculpture for this National Iwo Jima Memorial. The Iwo Jima survivors and the members of the the Iwo Jima Memorial Historical Foundation, Inc. recognize and honor these two artists for recording this important event in our nation's history.
(north side left panel)
Mt. Suribachi Flag Raising
Raising Larger Flag and Simultaneously
Lowering Smaller

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

3. National Iwo Jima Memorial

(south side)

First Flag Raised
Feb 23 1945
P.F.C. Franklin R. Sousley, USMCR
Cpl. Rene A. Gagmon, USMCR
Ph. Mate 2nd Clarence. John H. Bradley, USN
Cpl. Ira H. Hayes, USMCR
Sgt. Michael Strank, USMC
Cpl. Harlon H. Block, USMC
-------------------------------------
The rocks beneath the statue at the feet
of the flag raisers are from the site of the
original flag raising on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima

Volcanic sand from Iwo Jima has been
incorporated into the concrete base
(north side right panel)
"The battle of Iwo Jima
is one of the great epics
in all military annals."
Leon Uris

"Victory was never in doubt. What
was in doubt in all our minds
was whether there would be any
of us left to dedicate our cemetery
at the end or whether the last
Marine would die knocking out the
last Japanese gun and gunner."
Maj. Gen. Graves B. Erskine
(east side left panel)
Mt. Suribachi
1st Flag Raising
Lt. Harold Schrier, USMC
Pl. Sgt. Ernest Thomas, USMC
Pl. Sgt. Henry Hansen, USMC
Corp. Charles Lindberg, USMC
P.F.C. Louis Charlo, USMC
P.F.C. James Michaels, USMC On February 23, 1945, the fifth day of the battle at 10:30 A.M., the first

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

4. National Iwo Jima Memorial

(north side)

American flag raised on Japanese soil in World War II was placed atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima by the men listed above. The battle continued for a month longer, with thousands of additional casualties. However, the capture of Mt. Suribachi, because of its key Japanese defensive position, was a turning point of the battle, leading to fina; American victory. St. Sgt. Louis R. Lowery photographed the first flag raising depicted in this etching.
(east side center panel)
WWII – Feb. 23, 1945
Iwo Jima flag raising - Mt. Suribachi
Battle for Iwo Jima – Feb. 19, 1845 – Mar. 16, 1945
6824 Americans Killed In Battle
21865 American Casualties
27 Congressional Medals of Honor
Awarded. More Than Were Awarded
To Marines and Navy In Any
Other Battle In Our Country's History
Medal of Honor Awarded To Lt. JG Rufus G. Herring
Lt. Col. Justice Marion Chambers
PFC Jacklyn Harrell Lucas
Sgt. Ross Franklin Gray
Sgt. Darrell Samuel Cole
Cpl. Tony Stein
Capt. Robert Hugo Dunlap
Capt. Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy
Pvt. Donald Jack Ruhl
PFC Douglas Thomas Jacobson
Pvt. Wilson Douglas Watson
PhM1 John Harlan Willis
Cpl. Hershel Woodrow Williams
PhM2

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

5. National Iwo Jima Memorial

(east side)

George Edward Wahlen
Gy. Sgt. William Gary Walsh
Cpl. Charles Joseph Berry
PFC William Robert Caddy
PhM3 Jack Williams
PFC James Dennis La Belle
Plt. Sgt. Joseph Rodolph Julian
Sgt. William George Harrell
2d Lt. John Harold Leims
1st Lt. Jack Lummus
Pvt. George Phillips
Pvt. Franklin Earl Sigler
PhM1 Francis Pierce Jr.
1st Lt. Harry Linn Martin
(east side right panel)
This Memorial Monument Was Erected by The
Iwo Jima Survivors Assn. of Connecticut Inc.
In Tribute To and In Memory of All Our
Comrades Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice
In the Battle Of Iwo Jima.
It Was Conceived by Dr. George Gentile,
Founder and President. His Idea Came to Fruition
Through His Leadership and the Dedicated
Support and Fund Raising Efforts of The
Members, and Through the Generosity And
Patriotism of the Thousands of Citizens Who
Made Contributions.
Dedicated February 23, 1995.
The 50th Anniversary of The Flag Raising At
Iwo Jima, and Presented For Posterity To
The Citizens of the State Of Connecticut By
The Iwo Jima Survivors Assn.

Erected 1995 by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association. of Connecticut, Inc.

Topics. This

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

6. Plaque at the Base of the East Side

Under This Plaque Is a Time Capsule Vault
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary
Of The Battle For Iwo Jima.
It Includes the Official Cemetery File of Names
Of The 6,824 Americans Killed in the Battle.
Placed By
Iwo Jima Battle Survivors,
In Perpetual Memory
Of Their Comrades
Who Made
The Supreme Sacrifice
Dedicated May 30 – Memorial Day 1995
To Be Opened May 30, 2045
Lest We Forget
Iwo Jima Survivors Assoc. of Connecticut, Inc.

memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 41° 41.894′ N, 72° 45.511′ W. Memorial is in New Britain in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Ella Grasso Boulevard and Barbour Road, on the right when traveling east on Ella Grasso Boulevard. Located in Iwo Jima Memorial Park. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: New Britain CT 06051, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Connecticut River Valley,

in Greater Hartford,

and in the Knowledge Corridor.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Captain Brian S. Letendre (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sulliman Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Brig. Gen. John Patterson House (approx. one mile away); Belvidere Area WWII Veterans

Eternal Flame Column image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

7. Eternal Flame Column

(approx. one mile away); First U.S. Girl Scout Day Camp (approx. 1.4 miles away); Newington Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); George Washington Bicentennial (approx. 1½ miles away); This Captured Gun (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Britain.

Additional commentary.
1. Sgt. Frank D. Rea, Independent Construction Engineers, Co. B,, USMC
Every Memorial Day my Dad and I would go into our woods and pick small wildflowers that were blooming at that time. We called them Tinkerbelles. I don't know their real name. But they grew very well in the acidy humus made by the fir tree needles that fell, and fertilized the soil. After we'd picked the tiny flowers we'd go to another part of the farm that was sunnier to pick the topmost six inches of bracken fern, which was over my head the first year.

We would take the flora home. I would make the arrangements, with the fern to the back and Dad would tie them together into a stable bouquet. We would place them in a box in the backseat of the car, and ride about two or three miles to the Nisqually River in McKenna, WA. We'd park off the road at the

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

8. Eternal Flame Column

This Eternal
Flame Was First
Proposed By
Dr. George
Gentile
It Was Approved
& Installation
Was Implemented
Through His
Efforts & The
Work Of
Members Of The
Iwo Jima
Survivors
Assoc. Inc.

end of the bridge...all this was done quite somberly and quietly. We'd get our box of flowers and slide down the muddy, steep slope at the bank of the river. We'd slide to the edge, or in my case past the edge and into the river a few times. We'd take out the individual bouquets and place them in the river, fern side down.

The first time we did this I had no clue why or what we were doing. I knew Dad had been a Marine in the war. I knew the tragedy of death, especially of the young. I finally asked why we were putting these in the water. He said "These are for all the people that died in the war. They'll float out the river and in to the Pacific Ocean. That's where I and my friends were. This is to honor those who died or were horribly wounded, and to those who's chest still hurts when they think about it."

Dad was 28 during Iwo Jima, 10 or 11 years older than most of the young men who died there.

As I got older I grew to know more about the war. Some was traumatic to me. But none so much as the fairly recent, "Iwo Jima, 50 Years Later." I think Dad was thankful that he was able to do what he did during the war. He had seven silver

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

9. Eternal Flame Column

Dedicated In
Tribute To And In
Memory Of All
Those Americans
Who Fought
& Died In W.W.II
In Defense Of
Freedom
Throughout
The World.
Veteran's Day
Nov. 11, 1995
50th Anniversary
Of The End W.W.II

stars, so was in a few landings, and went through what too many went through. My hand over my heart to all those men and the few women of those battles. The few living and the most at peace now, have all the honor I can give.

Sincerely,

Karen Rea Dickerson

— Submitted December 22, 2013, by Karen E. Rea of Rainier, Washington.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

10. Eternal Flame Column

Howard J. Voegelin
Michael Timura and Family
William E. Cook
Edwin P. DesRosiers
Charles W. Ebert, Jr.
Francis J. Gentile, Jr.
Peter Christman
Italian-American War Veterans
Dan and Katherine Gentile
Iwo Jima Survivors Association
Thomas Howrigan, MD
Robert A. McGee
Arthur P. O'Hara, Jr.
Arnold Bahder
Lauretti Family
In memory of John F. Lauretti, Sr.
American Legion Post 56-Clinton, CT.
Connecticut Natural Gas Corp.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

11. Eternal Flame Column

Eternal Flame Torch & Granite
Pedestal Donated
By CT. Natural
Gas Corp.

Eternal Flame Stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

12. Eternal Flame Stone

Eternal Flame Fund
Distinguished Major Donors
Howard J. Voegelin
In Memory of John E. Voegelin
Michael Timura Family
May the Eternal flame
Keep Burning Forever
In Memory of Pvt. John E. Timura
Killed In Action, WWII

Monument to Medical Corps Personnel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

13. Monument to Medical Corps Personnel

Combat medical corps personnel at Iwo Jima saved the lives of hundreds of the combat wounded. They treated and restored the bodies of the wounded and relieved the pain of the dying.

Survivors of the battle for Iwo Jima acknowledge with gratitude their courageous service to us and our comrades at Iwo Jima

738 medical corpsmen were killed or wounded

23 medical doctors were killed or wounded

4 Medals of Honor were awarded to the medical corps

The Iwo Jima Survivors Assn. acknowledges with appreciation and gratitude Paul Isacoff, Medical Corpsman, USN, WWII, and his wife Doris Isacoff who contributed the funds for this memorial in honor of the medical and chaplain corps.

Monument to Chaplains image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

14. Monument to Chaplains

Chaplains restored our spirit and faith in the darkest hours of combat and consoled and prayed with the dying as they made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Iwo Jima survivors acknowledge with gratitude the brave and courageous service by the chaplains to us, our comrades, and our country.

Of the 50 chaplains in combat units at Iwo Jima:

3 chaplains were wounded

6 were awarded Bronze Stars

Many others received letters of commendation

Acknowledgement Stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

15. Acknowledgement Stone

"We remember, we will never forget the Battle of Iwo Jima
and our fallen comrades in arms. May future generations
remember the sacrifices and price of freedom in a
democracy and when called upon protect and defend it."
Dr. George Gentile Founder and President Iwo Jima Assn. CT.
Iwo Jima Memorial Monument Fund
Major Individual Contributors Fred E. Feffer • In Memory of Eric F. Feffer • Carmine Abate • Vincent Buccini • Nicholas Cardellichio • Alfred Cialfi • In Memory of Angela J. Cialfi • Dr. & Mrs. Alfred F. Cialfi Jr. • Maurice Fabiani • Antonio Fernandes • Frank Geluso • Winifred Bolles Gentile • In Loving Memory Wm. H. Bolles • USA KIA Cherbourg Fr. W.W.II • In Memory of Anthony J. Giardino • Samuel S. Girasuolo • Barbara Wilber Holmberg • In Memory of Richard H. Holmberg USN W.W.II • Charles S. Johnson • Paul Isacoff • Edward Layman • Winspur Family • In Memory of David Winspur KIA Iwo Jima • Kathleen Muratori • Linda Pennington • In Memory of Don L. Pennington KIA Iwo Jima • Fred Pucci • George Pugile • James W. Ray • Liberato Riccio • In Memory Benny Amarone • Pamela Smith • In Memory of Capt. Robert Oswald • Martin Samowitz • Frank Zuraski • * Matava Family • In Memory of Edward R. Matava KIA Iwo Jima Mar. 1945 "He gave his life so we could live"
Members Who Provided Extraordinary
Services on the Monument Site,
& Major Fund Raisers
For The Iwo Jima Memorial Monument Carmine Abate • George Abel • Al Bender • Vincent Buccini • Nick Cardellichio • Alfred Cialfi • Albert D'Amico • Bernard Dobbbons • Fred Feffer • Dr. George Gentile • Samuel Girasuolo • Edward Layman • George Lusis • John Conant, Sr. • Bob Matava • Dino Muratori • Bob Nichols • Jerry Orfield • Fred Pucci • Anthony Tadiello • Frank Zuraski Major Contributors
Businesses & Organizations The Balf Company • BPO Elks New Britain Lodge • Borough of Naugatuck CT. • National Hdqrs. Disabled American Veterans • Edward Motor Service • J.P. Matava Professional Park • 483rd AAA Bn. W.W.II • Sherwood Industries Inc. • 4th Marine Division Assn. • Constitution State Chap. 35 • Iwo Jima Survivors Assn. Aux. • Modern Woodcrafters Inc. • Donald Ramsey • Mashantucket Pequot Tribe • Elders Business Comm. Ledyard CT. • Paul R. Corazzo • Tilcon Tomasso Inc. Major Contributors, Services & Materials Fred Brunoli & Sons • Elmo Aiudi • Brien Balavender • Central Conn. State Univ. • Ciarlo's Monumental • Phil Courchaine • Conn. Dept. of Trans. • Ron Dahls • Bernard Dobbins • Eastern Pipe Products • Kaestle Boos • Searle & Laura Lansing Jones • Owen Murphy Avon Paint Co. • New Britain Monument • J.P. Matava • Don Petersen • Bob McKinstrey • City of New Britain • Town of Newington • Nascembeni & Jahne • Walter Parylak • Tilcon Tomasso • James B. Ward • Susan Gentile Ward • Frank Zacchera • Suburban Sanitation Service • 4th Marine Division Reserve Unit C-1-25 This Stone Donated by the Matava Family
Inscriptions Donated by Ciarlo's Monumental Works

Stone in the Walkway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

16. Stone in the Walkway

Walkway of Uncommon Valor
On this walkway are inscribed
the names of the members of
the Iwo Jima Survivors Association.
It is a tribute to the members for their service
to their country and for their efforts to
perpetuate the memory of their comrades who
gave their lives at Iwo Jima

Entrance Stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2011

17. Entrance Stone

Iwo Jima
Memorial Park
Park Established, Flag Raising Monument and Eternal Flame
Erected by Members of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association Inc.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 7,709 times since then and 176 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. submitted on May 10, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.