Marty Galvin WWII Mount Surabachi Story

THE AMERICA'S PRIDE RING IS
IN HONOR OF
THOSE THAT LOST THEIR LIVES
THOSE THAT GAVE THEIR LIVES
THOSE THAT REMAIN
AFTER 9-11-01

The United States had bombed the island for 72 days. The ocean was rough when Marty’s ship arrived February 19, 1945. At first they didn’t know where they were going, but when they arrived they were told they were a reserve division behind the 4th and 5th Divisions who were going to attack first. They had already figured that they would win because the Marines had not yet lost a battle. Marty explained that the Marines were different from any other soldier by the fact that Marines rely on everyone, not just themselves; it was a group effort. Survival was always primary.

Before arriving on the island, they could see the flag had been raised on Mount Suribachi. This was supposed to signify that Mount Surabachi had been taken and that everything’s under control, but it was really just the beginning. The beaches were difficult to walk on and even more impossible for machinery to move on because of the lava like wet sand. The soldiers had to make sure the sand did not get in their weapons for it would quickly clog them.

Marty wasn’t the stereotypical movie star soldier running in to save the day. He quietly wanted to serve his country and go home alive and unharmed. Soon after setting foot upon Iwo Jima, his group was being shot at by the Japanese. Going for cover, Marty allowed another soldier to jump into a foxhole close to him while he got into rut made by a tank. A sniper’s bullet killed the other marine.

The war had been going on for a few years and he was afraid it would be over before he got there. But, Robert Martin Galvin (a.k.a. Marty), not quite 18 years old, enlisted in the Marines one month before finishing high school in 1944. Marty‘s brothers were all in the war as were most of his friends, now he would be too.

World War II became a reality for Marty while sitting in a movie theater when a newscast came on the screen about the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor. Many people did not know where Pearl Harbor was located but soon learned. Rationing had become a way of life and solders’ families proudly displayed stars in their windows to show everyone that they had a son in the armed services.

Marty has an absolutely vivid recall from the time he first entered the Marines in 1944 through his service in the Army in the Korean War. His Marine training began at Parris Island, South Carolina. It was very intense. His drill sergeant would taunt them by saying “if any of you think you can beat me, come on up here." Marty comically said that he had two prayers he would say each night; one was to live through the training and the other was hoping he didn’t.

After boot camp, Marty traveled by train to California. He recalled how he and a buddy waited until all the other marines got on the train and filled up all the onboard bunks. When there was no room left, Marty and his buddy got upgraded to officers’ quarters. This patience served him well throughout his war experience.

On November 11, 1944, Marty boarded a boat bound for Hawaii. From Hawaii he was sent to Guam which is part of the Mariana Islands. 60 more days of training were given before the 3rd Marines Division was sent 1200 miles away to Iwo Jima. This was an island occupied by the Japanese Iwo Jima is Japanese for Sulfur Island because of the large amounts of sulfur that made up this small island.

Robert Martin Galvin’s Military Days
by Erin Velt

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Robert Martin Galvin's Story
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The following essay was written by Erin Velt. Erin interviewed my father for a school project. She learned more about my dad in her short interview than I have learned in 20+ years.

Her essay is a very personal history lesson for me. I have always respected my father as a dad, husband, friend and mentor. I now have renewed respect for him as a Veteran.

Flag being raised on Mount Suribachi
Picture by Joe Rosenthal

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