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| Walking Through Fire An Iwo Jima Survivor's Remembrance Arvy Albin Geurin, As Told to Gale Geurin |
19 February, 1945. Fighters were strafing the dark island, relentlessly bombing the
highest point, Mt. Suribachi. From the amtrack landing craft, I could see much of the
bombing and shelling on the island, and I could hear the horrifying sound of guns;
from the 16-inch down to the five-inch guns. The burst of the 40-mm artillery
thundered – BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! A demonic rhythm filled my ears. The ships
behind me fired overhead, exploding shells on the island. Firing mortars split the
air above me.
Waves crashed into the craft, hitting us in the face as we stared ahead at the dark
island. Dense black flack scarred the sky. The island had been bombed for six
months before the invasio, and shelled ceaselessly by the ships’ big guns. We were
expecting a speedy mop-up. Our Lieutenant bragged how this would be a quick,
souvenir-gathering operation and then off to Guam. There could not be any
resistance left.
Now, in the LST (landing ship, tank) with more bombs zeroing in on Iwo Jima and
the ships’ shells pounding the beach, I wasn’t thinking of a mop-up operation. I was
eager to get on that island. Anxious to be a part of this war. This . . . this is why I
joined! The thought that I could be killed on that hunk of volcanic rock in the Pacific
never before dawned on me. At nineteen, even in the midst of war, I was invincible.
As the amtrack floundered on the choppy sea, the big guns boomed overhead, I
wasn’t thinking of the battle ahead, but how in two short years, life had changed
from planning a summer of fun after high school graduation to being here,
splattered by bullet-whipped waves, heading toward that small, seemingly
insignificant island in the Pacific.
The amtrack rose on the incoming waves and crashed hard upon the sea as each
wave rolled passed. We were packed in tighter than sardines in a can. The
whiplash of the rolling ocean barely moved us. It was impossible to think about
anything but the shells whizzing overhead or what waited on the shore. The closer
we got to the island, the more the reality of the war closed in on me. I looked
around me. We all were ordinary young men . . . not so far removed from being just
teenage boys. We weren’t action heroes or extraordinary men. We were farm boys
and city jocks; scholars and drop-outs; rich and poor; we were just young boys
brought together by a common goal. Just a year ago, how could any of us have
imagined going off to war like this? Yet, here we were altogether in an amtrack
moving toward the hungry jaws of war-, to what would become the bloodiest battle
of the Pacific.
highest point, Mt. Suribachi. From the amtrack landing craft, I could see much of the
bombing and shelling on the island, and I could hear the horrifying sound of guns;
from the 16-inch down to the five-inch guns. The burst of the 40-mm artillery
thundered – BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! A demonic rhythm filled my ears. The ships
behind me fired overhead, exploding shells on the island. Firing mortars split the
air above me.
Waves crashed into the craft, hitting us in the face as we stared ahead at the dark
island. Dense black flack scarred the sky. The island had been bombed for six
months before the invasio, and shelled ceaselessly by the ships’ big guns. We were
expecting a speedy mop-up. Our Lieutenant bragged how this would be a quick,
souvenir-gathering operation and then off to Guam. There could not be any
resistance left.
Now, in the LST (landing ship, tank) with more bombs zeroing in on Iwo Jima and
the ships’ shells pounding the beach, I wasn’t thinking of a mop-up operation. I was
eager to get on that island. Anxious to be a part of this war. This . . . this is why I
joined! The thought that I could be killed on that hunk of volcanic rock in the Pacific
never before dawned on me. At nineteen, even in the midst of war, I was invincible.
As the amtrack floundered on the choppy sea, the big guns boomed overhead, I
wasn’t thinking of the battle ahead, but how in two short years, life had changed
from planning a summer of fun after high school graduation to being here,
splattered by bullet-whipped waves, heading toward that small, seemingly
insignificant island in the Pacific.
The amtrack rose on the incoming waves and crashed hard upon the sea as each
wave rolled passed. We were packed in tighter than sardines in a can. The
whiplash of the rolling ocean barely moved us. It was impossible to think about
anything but the shells whizzing overhead or what waited on the shore. The closer
we got to the island, the more the reality of the war closed in on me. I looked
around me. We all were ordinary young men . . . not so far removed from being just
teenage boys. We weren’t action heroes or extraordinary men. We were farm boys
and city jocks; scholars and drop-outs; rich and poor; we were just young boys
brought together by a common goal. Just a year ago, how could any of us have
imagined going off to war like this? Yet, here we were altogether in an amtrack
moving toward the hungry jaws of war-, to what would become the bloodiest battle
of the Pacific.
| Prologue |
|
Lt. (jg) Donald Ernest Ritche, USNR, Boat Group Officer, USS NAPA
19 February 1945 – Killed in action during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was in
command of, and led, the eighth wave to a successful landing on Blue Beach when
hit by a burst of machine gun fire inflicting wounds which later caused his death. He
was buried at sea on 21 February with full military honors from the USS Newberry.
Seaman 2nd Class Harold Warren Hornick, USNR, USS NAPA
19 February 1945 – A member of the USS NAPA Beach Party, he was killed in
action on the beach at Iwo Jima. He was hit by enemy gun fire while carrying out his
orders. He is buried on the small island that cost so much in human life.
Fireman 1st Class Anthony Alfonso Morrone, USNR, USS NAPA
20 February 1945 – An engineer member of boat crew LCM26, he was killed in
action during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He died of wounds received from machine
gun fire while his boat was landing on the beach. He was buried at sea with full
military honors.
Seaman 1st Class James Carlton Owens, USNR, USS NAPA
19 February 1945 – Member of boat crew LCM26, killed in action during the
invasion of Iwo Jima. He was reported missing in action after being wounded by
machine gun fire. His death was later verified by the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
Seaman 1st Class John Max Reed, USNR, USS NAPA
19 February 1945 – A member of the USS NAPA Beach Party, he was killed in
action on the beach at Iwo Jima. He was hit by mortar fire on the second terrace of
the beach while acting as a stretcher bearer. He is buried on Iwo Jima.
Seaman 1st Class Benjamin Charlie Schlabach, USNR, USS NAPA
7 August 1945 – He was killed while manning his battle station during an enemy air
raid at Okinawa. A military funeral was held on board the USS NAPA by the ship’s
Chaplain. He was buried in Okinawa.
Lt (jg) Ford Eshleman, MC, USNR, USS NAPA
Missing in Action. He served on the USS NAPA from November 1944 through the Iwo
Jima engagement. He was later transferred to destroyer duty and was serving on
board the destroyer USS BRAINE when she was severely damaged by three
kamikaze planes.
19 February 1945 – Killed in action during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was in
command of, and led, the eighth wave to a successful landing on Blue Beach when
hit by a burst of machine gun fire inflicting wounds which later caused his death. He
was buried at sea on 21 February with full military honors from the USS Newberry.
Seaman 2nd Class Harold Warren Hornick, USNR, USS NAPA
19 February 1945 – A member of the USS NAPA Beach Party, he was killed in
action on the beach at Iwo Jima. He was hit by enemy gun fire while carrying out his
orders. He is buried on the small island that cost so much in human life.
Fireman 1st Class Anthony Alfonso Morrone, USNR, USS NAPA
20 February 1945 – An engineer member of boat crew LCM26, he was killed in
action during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He died of wounds received from machine
gun fire while his boat was landing on the beach. He was buried at sea with full
military honors.
Seaman 1st Class James Carlton Owens, USNR, USS NAPA
19 February 1945 – Member of boat crew LCM26, killed in action during the
invasion of Iwo Jima. He was reported missing in action after being wounded by
machine gun fire. His death was later verified by the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
Seaman 1st Class John Max Reed, USNR, USS NAPA
19 February 1945 – A member of the USS NAPA Beach Party, he was killed in
action on the beach at Iwo Jima. He was hit by mortar fire on the second terrace of
the beach while acting as a stretcher bearer. He is buried on Iwo Jima.
Seaman 1st Class Benjamin Charlie Schlabach, USNR, USS NAPA
7 August 1945 – He was killed while manning his battle station during an enemy air
raid at Okinawa. A military funeral was held on board the USS NAPA by the ship’s
Chaplain. He was buried in Okinawa.
Lt (jg) Ford Eshleman, MC, USNR, USS NAPA
Missing in Action. He served on the USS NAPA from November 1944 through the Iwo
Jima engagement. He was later transferred to destroyer duty and was serving on
board the destroyer USS BRAINE when she was severely damaged by three
kamikaze planes.
| In Memory of..... |
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| U.S.S. Napa, APA 157, Arvy Geurin's WWII Home |
| Click to Enlarge: Arvy Albin Geurin, 1943 Boot Camp Graduation San Diego Naval Training Station |
| Click to Enlarge: On board U.S.S. Napa, APA 157 Radio Room 1945 Standing – Gregory C. Kiewetz RM3C Seated: Samuel R. McMahan, RM3C Thomas Fitzgerald, CBM Standing at back: Arvy A. Geurin, RM3C |
Click to Enlarge: From commissioning in Portland Oregon on 1 October 1944, the troop ship
saw action throughout the Pacific during World War II, including Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945.
Walking Through Fire: An Iwo Jim Survivor’s Remembrance details the U.S.S. NAPA’s
wartime travels from Oregon to Pearl Harbor and onward to Japanese territories of Eniwetok
Atoll, Saipan, Iwo Jim, Guam, Ulithi, Zohnoiiyoru Bank and Okinawa. The U.S.S. Napa went on
from there into the Philippines, on to Japan carrying part of the occupying forces, and to China
to rescue and transport Nationalist Chinese and to French-Indo China (now Vietnam) to rescue
and transport Nationalist Chinese to Formosa (now Taiwan)."
saw action throughout the Pacific during World War II, including Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945.
Walking Through Fire: An Iwo Jim Survivor’s Remembrance details the U.S.S. NAPA’s
wartime travels from Oregon to Pearl Harbor and onward to Japanese territories of Eniwetok
Atoll, Saipan, Iwo Jim, Guam, Ulithi, Zohnoiiyoru Bank and Okinawa. The U.S.S. Napa went on
from there into the Philippines, on to Japan carrying part of the occupying forces, and to China
to rescue and transport Nationalist Chinese and to French-Indo China (now Vietnam) to rescue
and transport Nationalist Chinese to Formosa (now Taiwan)."
| A Heartfelt Dedication to Worthy Men |
|
| A Photo for the Ages, Iwo Jima--1945 Iconic photo of raising of the flag on Iwo Jima Joe Rosenthal won a Pulitzer Prize for the photo |
| Click to Enlarge: D-Day 19 February 1945, Assault on the volcanic shores of Iwo Jima Mt Suribachi can be seen in the background as waves of Marines hit the beach delivered by the U.S. Navy in landing craft |
|
Click to Enlarge: Arvy Geurin in a fox hole on one of the most dangerous
beaches in the history of warfare. The volcanic sands of Iwo Jima provided
a killing ground for the well entrenched and fight to the death Japanese
soldiers. Radioman Arvy Albin Geurin can be seen in the circle with Seaman
First Class Don Wood and Signalman Second Class Jack Kapp. Jack was
Arvy's best friend throughout the war. Notice how everyone in this picture
is taking cover.
beaches in the history of warfare. The volcanic sands of Iwo Jima provided
a killing ground for the well entrenched and fight to the death Japanese
soldiers. Radioman Arvy Albin Geurin can be seen in the circle with Seaman
First Class Don Wood and Signalman Second Class Jack Kapp. Jack was
Arvy's best friend throughout the war. Notice how everyone in this picture
is taking cover.
| Arvy Geurin on the Bloody Beaches of Iwo Jima |
"After I read this book, I realized how much history
I had absorbed and how the author took me right
there with him so I could 'see' history unfold. This
is more than about Iwo Jima. I am a school counselor.
This is the type of book that could, and should, be
used in teaching history of this era because its an
easy read that makes history alive, instead of dry
numbers and statistics " Beth O.
I had absorbed and how the author took me right
there with him so I could 'see' history unfold. This
is more than about Iwo Jima. I am a school counselor.
This is the type of book that could, and should, be
used in teaching history of this era because its an
easy read that makes history alive, instead of dry
numbers and statistics " Beth O.
|
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| Two Flags on Mt. Suribachi |
Click to Enlarge: This rare photograph shows the
flags being changed before Joe Rosenthal gets
the real picture that won him a Pulitzer Prize and
became one of the most recognizable pictures of
all time. Rosenthal passed away at age 94 in 2006.
flags being changed before Joe Rosenthal gets
the real picture that won him a Pulitzer Prize and
became one of the most recognizable pictures of
all time. Rosenthal passed away at age 94 in 2006.
| D-Day on Iwo Jima |
| Burial at Sea |
| Captain F. Kent Loomis |
| For Media Interviews with Arvy Albin Geurin Contact Promotion in Motion 323-461-3921 brad@promotioninmotion.net www.promotioninmotion.net |
Click to Enlarge: A burial at sea off the U.S.S.
Napa, APA 157 as Fireman First Class Anthony
Morrone. He died of machine gun wounds
received during the landings on Iwo Jima.
Napa, APA 157 as Fireman First Class Anthony
Morrone. He died of machine gun wounds
received during the landings on Iwo Jima.
| Dedicated to the Brave Men of the U.S.S. Napa and the Fourth Marines Who Fought and Died on Iwo Jima |
| “They went down to the sea, brave men, all, to the black sands, and cluttered beaches, to slippery terraces, and rabbit warrens, to reach the mountain, to raise the flag, to freedom, brave men, all.” |
| Click to Enlarge: Captain F. Kent Loomis of the U.S.S. Napa, APA 157. Note the pipe in his hand as he looks wistfully out to sea. |
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"This in-person, tell-it-from-there book follows a
young sailor throughout the Pacific, especially at
Iwo Jima, the bloodiest battle of the Pacific, in a
truly unique way. It is historically correct and very
interesting, moving the reader from a bakery to
the jaws of war." James M.A. Kalin
young sailor throughout the Pacific, especially at
Iwo Jima, the bloodiest battle of the Pacific, in a
truly unique way. It is historically correct and very
interesting, moving the reader from a bakery to
the jaws of war." James M.A. Kalin
What was it like to walk through a hailstorm of deadly
enemy fire in the bloodiest battle of World War II? On
19 February 1945, Arvy Geurin, RM/3C, US Navy, was
about to find out.
“We weren’t action heroes or extraordinary men.
We were farm boys and city jocks; scholars and
drop-outs; rich and poor; we were just young men
brought together by a common goal, moving
toward the hungry jaws of war.”
enemy fire in the bloodiest battle of World War II? On
19 February 1945, Arvy Geurin, RM/3C, US Navy, was
about to find out.
“We weren’t action heroes or extraordinary men.
We were farm boys and city jocks; scholars and
drop-outs; rich and poor; we were just young men
brought together by a common goal, moving
toward the hungry jaws of war.”
Listen to Arvy Albin Geurin
Interviewed by Michael Ray
Dresser, USA Radio Network
Interviewed by Michael Ray
Dresser, USA Radio Network