After a near lifetime of “trying to forget,” 98-year-old WWII Marine Corps veteran John Robinson agreed to share with SPI his personal remembrances of the Battle of Iwo Jima and his presence in Japan during the US post-war occupation.
Mr. Robinson relates: Initially, Iwo Jima had been bombed and strafed and burned for a month ahead of the invasion. It was assumed there was no enemy remaining there. What the US didn’t take into account was that on a volcanic island there are underground “tunnels.” In the case of Iwo Jima, these tunnels housed somewhere in upwards of 20,000 Japanese troops. When US troops landed, the 20,000 came out and attacked.
What was supposed to be a simple operation turned out to be a more than month-long “catastrophe” for the US before successfully taking the island. “Every time I took a breath, someone was killed.”
During his time of military service Mr. Robinson headed a Sound Ranging group that worked to identify the location of hidden enemy artillery. He was 20 years old at the time.
When talking about his experience in post-war Japan, he relates a remarkable story about a young Japanese man that he met, Hiashi Wasaki (sp). Hiashi spoke English and was eager to learn about America. These two men, who weeks before were mortal enemies, struck up a friendship. As John prepared to return to the States, Hiashi shared with him his wish to visit America. The two never saw each other again. Their relationship gives one pause.
