Veteran’s Day

Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11th, is the day we honor American veterans of all wars. World War II required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in our nation’s history. One of the war’s most significant battles took place in the Pacific on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.

The Battle of Iwo Jima

The Battle lasted from February 19, 1945 to March 26, 1945 and was the first attack on Japan’s home islands. 21,000 Japanese soldiers were defending the well fortified island that had well over 11 miles of tunnels; 20,000 of them would die in the battle. The U.S. invasion was called “Operation Detachment.” The mission was to capture the island and its two airfields from which the U.S. Army Air Corps could launch attacks directly on Japan. 6,800 Marines and Corpsmen died and 19,000 were wounded on Iwo Jima.

The 4th and 5th Marine Division would land on the southeastern beach and concentrate on securing Mt. Suribachi and the airfields to the south and the west coast. Once in control they would be reinforced by the 3rd Marine Division. Serving with the 4th Marine Division was the son of Irish immigrants, John J. Kenny and Margaret Harrity from Killasser, Co. Mayo—1st Lt. John E. Kenny, who wrote this letter to his mother in Chicago:

Central Pacific,
30 March, 1945

Dear Mom,

Haven’t had anything to write about or the urge to do so, so have neglected writing. Received a letter from Margie sent from St. Louis, also one from you, one from Pop, one from Viv, one from Clara, and an Easter Card from Viv. Thanks to all of you. The mail has been arriving in inverse order. I received mail of March 5, 6, 7 the other day, while those of March 12-13, arrived over a week ago. It was good of Joe and Dick to visit all of you and I appreciate the Masses. Got to Mass and Communion yesterday—also got to Mass last Sunday evening.

Margie stated that I hadn’t given much information on my activities here or since the battle began. Will attempt a resume now. We have an uneventful crossing, with a few stops and plenty of miscellaneous duties. The food was excellent aboard ship and I got to Mass very often.

D Day came and we thought our unit would not be called in. We watched the first few hours of battle from the bridge of our ship and it was like a large entertainment. When we received the call—I had charge of one landing unit—and in we went, laden with machine guns and explosives besides our personal gear. We were loaded own. About three hundred yards from shore we received machine gun fire and one mortar shell. They were misses, but only by a few feet. Some of the machine gun bullets were but inches off the target. When we hit the beach, the ramp went down and getting out I fell on my face when the boat lurched. A shell burst just then and I guess I was fortunate being in the prone position.

We got up the first terrace of the beach and that was our bivouac area. I had to get to the tractors and get them to help bring stalled vehicles up the terraces and get ammunition to the infantry. Bob Williams and I were foxhole mates the first two nights. We didn’t get settled until about nine the first night—then mortar fire and machine gun fire from Mt. Suribachi dropped all around us and caved in our foxhole on my side—burying me. I was never so frightened. The barrage continued at intervals throughout the night and we got very little rest. At daybreak I had to go on a reconnaissance patrol to pick out routes for roadways. The Colonel led the way. Got back about eleven in the morning, after spending two hours in foxholes during mortar barrages by the Japs. We had some snipers fire at us, but they were minor distractions. The next evening we went through another mortar barrage and I was saying my prayers as fast as I could. I thought that the next shell would be the one to get me. Went on another patrol the next morning toward Mt. Suribachi. Nothing except sniper fire interrupted us but caused no trouble.

The first few days I ate a few chocolate bars and that was all I could eat. I opened my can of turkey and had to give it away. The third day we moved to a new area just below the first airfield. That night there was some shelling and persistent sniper fire, so that when we jumped from our holes, we had to move fast. The Japs would always cut loose with a few shots and you could see the dirt fly at the point you had just left. We stayed in that area two nights, then moved to the other side of the island and the main group never departed from there. It was at this place that I was chosen to be in charge of one defense sector and had to move again. The men and machine guns of my section were my responsibility. There was much action for a few nights, about ten Japs being killed trying to come through our lines. After that I stayed about a week longer in that area.

With about twenty men I was moved to an area below the second airport and brought the equipment forward. This was my bailiwick for about two weeks. In all the time we were there, only a few shells fell in our area. However, the other night—or morning—Monday at five—a terrific amount of firing began. Some colored troops going for ammunition told us that about two hundred Japs were attacking just over the ridge forward of our position. I gave the order to stay in foxholes and get firing positions. The battle lasted for three hours and not one Jap got closer than 50-75 yards. Approximately 200 were killed by the unit in front os us—the Pioneers. I didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation until it became light and I could see and hear what was going on, The Lord was with us, as not one of my men was hurt. Every time I put my head up out of my hole, bullets were whizzing by, so I stayed low throughout the major part of the engagement, I had a rifle and an automatic pistol and ammunition in every pocket, plus a dozen hand grenades at my feet, so was well equipped for the assault. I am very happy they were all killed before getting to us. That was the last organized resistance by the Japs. There were news reports on the incident.

Can’t realize that Easter is but two days away. Hope to get to Stations today and Mass Sunday. Read that the stock market cracked. Did you sell my stocks? Probably you have the deal on our old house closed and the money in hand. Hope the War in Europe ends soon. From the press reports we get, it looks very good for the Allies at present.

Haven’t heard from or written to REB, so presume that she thought my last letter a good farewell. After the last five weeks of agony, I know I have more important things to do in life than waste my time.

Think I have written enough, so will rest for a few days.

Love to all,

John
1st Lt. USMCR

Less than five months after the battle of Iwo Jima, we entered the Atomic Age. On August 6, 1945, we dropped the “A” bomb, nicknamed “Little Boy,” on Nagasaki. On August 8, 1945, another bomb nicknamed “Fat Man” fell on Hiroshima. Japan surrendered on August 15th, 1945. It was Tuesday, Aug. 14th, in the States and VJ-Day (Victory in Japan) was written into the history books. The formal surrender came on September 2, 1945, on the deck of the USS Missouri.

Not quite seven years old, I remember VJ-Day well. Jim Mulroy’s father was the janitor at St. Mary’s school in Des Plaines, IL, and he unlocked the school so we could get the American flag from the stage and the bass drum. We marched all through town and people joined in along the way. We marched up Center St., east on Elinwood St., over the railroad tracks at Pearson St., and onto Miner St. It seemed as though half the town was out in front of the Sugar Bowl restaurant and the Zephyr Cafe. Excitement rippled through the town and people were buying candy for kids, hugging and kissing each other. Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines would be coming home.

When Lt. John E. Kenny came home, he was wearing a bronze star and a purple heart on his chest. He eventually married Rosalie Casey and joined the family business, Kenny Construction Company. One of his sons, James C. Kenny, went on to become the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation

On Tuesday, Sept, 16th, I attended the U.S. Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. This organization provides any child of any Marine, Navy SEAL, or Navy Corpsman, as well as federal law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty, with $30,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds for their college tuition. I was guest of Capt. James Sloan, USMC, who served three tours of duty in Iraq along with his parents, Jima and Rose Sloan. Also at the table was Terry McCarthy, the Federal Defender of Northern Illinois, who also served in the USMC.

The honoree was General James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the second highest ranking military officer in our country, who is originally from Rockford, Illinois.

His opening remark was “We are at war.” He went on to say something even more profound when referring to the events of 9/11, he said, “They would have killed three million of us if they knew how.” That hit home with me because I, like most people, never thought of it in those terms. It was an extraordinary evening and the espirit de corps was palpable in the room. Each guest was presented with a hardcover copy of the book, The Strongest Tribe by Bing West.