Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 212 text:

HongKong Clockwise from upper left: Ruins of Catholic Churcti on Macao. A famous Hong Kong double-decl(er bus! The beautiful Hong Kong skyline lights up the night Some of Essex ' Chief Petty Officers taking advantage of the great shopping. The Essex ' OS gang taking m the sights of Wanchai. The famous Hong Kong ' Shishi Dog. ' The lights of the old Phil- ippine Consulate attract a crowd on a warm summer evening in Victoria. mM. r •• ' -

Page 211 text:

steaming in hallowed wa- ters... At left, ESSEX sails past Iwo Jima. Clearly seen on the southern end of this World War II battle ground is Mt. Surabachi, where the famous scene of the American flag being raised by U.S. Marines took place. Although the ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group did not make a stop here, this image will be long remembered by each Sailor and Marine that went topside and viewed this historic Pacific island. Above, A03 Fortier kneels at the Iwo Jima memorial atop Mt. Surabachi. Fortier was one of a few Sailors and Marines that had the opportunity to go ashore. Commodore Larry Nelms and Colonel Richard Zilmereach took time to recognize the Marines that paid the ultimate sacrifice during this short visit. ' Shore. On February 19, 1945 , the Marines began ianding 68,000 troops on Iwo ima. Taking 2,420 casualties the first day, the Marines cut the island in half. On the ifth day, the Marines sent a patrol to the top of Mt. Suribachi , the peak dominating he island, where six Marines raised a U.S. flag. It took several weeks to secure the stand , at a cost of 21,000 enemy killed, and only 212 captured. 18,070 Marines were ounded, and 6,891 Marines paid the ultimate sacrifice to God, their country and he U.S. Marine Corps.

Page 213 text:

■i- j s vigiimami - -:TM -n ' » ifiS«rJ? -- fc