[COLOR="#B22222"][/COLOR]It is my privilege to personally know Clyde Jackson. Clyde lives in the Dallas area, and I am in College Station, Texas. We met at the church we both attended for many years in Houston, Texas, when that city was our home. We have been seeing each other each year at a Sunday School retreat in the Texas Hill Country near Leakey (pronounced “lakey”) Texas. If you would like to contact Clyde, I have his email address if you would like it. My “civilian” email is texag57@gmail.com.
My father was the exec of the 386 Air Service Group. As the battle was expected to be short, they were sent in on D+5, if I recall. A small advance group was sent in first, my dad among them. This group was on the beach in the middle of the first days fighting on the beach. They were followed a day or two later by the rest of the 386th. They were there to service the P51s and B29s that were expected to be using the airfields there. Needless to say, they were on Iwo for almost all of the fighting.
He told me that the fighting continued on for some time after the island was declared secure. He also told me that his life was saved by marines on two different occasions. In each case, a Japanese soldier had him in his sights at a few feet and the marine involved, in each case, ‘put a bullet through the Jap’s head.’ One of those times, he was carrying a wounded marine and had no ability to defend himself and the other the Japanese fellow got the drop on him, behind American lines, as he was checking on his men after dark. Needless to say, he is very grateful for the marines.
Since this is my first post, I can’t post the link, but you can search 386thasg
Thanks for the info, rfeuillejr, I knew I had seen somewhere that there were a few Army guys there early on.
He’s still alive (92) but his memory is fading. I will be seeing him in 2 weeks if you have any other questions.
God Bless him for his service to the United States.
I’ll pass that along.
By the way, a few years ago, a Marine colonel that had made his acquaintance, found out the Dad had refused a medal awarded him on Iwo. This colonel harassed Dad into accepting it. Dad felt he hadn’t been killed and so, didn’t deserve a medal. When a Marine interceded, Dad finally accepted it. I have no idea what it was. I guess I should find out.