WHEREAS, unfailing patriotism, courage under fire, and unstinting heroism are cornerstones of the founding of our Country; and

WHEREAS, American servicemen and women have fought bravely to secure and protect our democratic way of life and preserve our honored freedoms since the birth of our great Nation; and

WHEREAS, the brave men and women served in WWII to protect the world from those who by their actions destroyed and threatened the lives and freedom of others; and

WHEREAS, the full weight of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' combat power was brought to bear on Iwo Jima, and that no other Pacific battlefield exerted such loss to the United States Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS, the exemplary character of the United States Marines and Sailors never shined so brightly, compelling Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, to say, "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue," and through extreme sacrifice and extraordinary courage, 22 Marines and 5 Sailors were awarded Medals of Honor; and

WHEREAS, the THIRD MARINE DIVISION, under the command of Major General Graves B. Erskine, USMC landed on Iwo Jima and secured the central sector of the island, and despite facing a well-organized and determined enemy resistance, was able to effectively cut the enemy defenses in two; and

WHEREAS, after training on Maui, the FOURTH MARINE DIVISION, under the command of Major General Clifton B. Cates, USMC engaged the Japanese defenders on Iwo Jima and successfully captured the airfields; and

WHEREAS, the Marines and Sailors of the FIFTH MARINE DIVISION trained at Parker Ranch on the Island of Hawai`i, in preparation for the February 19, 1945 assault on the island of Iwo Jima and who under the command of Major General Keller E. Rockey, USMC seized Mount Suribachi and continued their fight to the final pocket of resistance at Bloody Gorge; and

WHEREAS, the FIFTH AMPHIBIOUS CORPS was organized in California and Hawai`i for joint Army, Navy and Marine Corps amphibious campaigns in the Pacific under the command of Major General Harry Schmidt, USMC and its joint action and sacrifice at Iwo Jima greatly contributed to the overall success of the campaign; and

WHEREAS, the NAVAL FORCES' FIFTH FLEET, under the command of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, transported and provided the necessary fleet support for the Marines to capture the island of Iwo Jima; and

WHEREAS, the victory at Iwo Jima became the catalyst for change in the Pacific, redefining long-term political and military alliances, and providing for eventual economic growth and the peaceful integration of the peoples of the region; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawai`i, Regular Session of 2005, that this body hereby honors, recognizes and extends its deepest gratitude to the leaders and members of the THIRD MARINE DIVISION, FOURTH MARINE DIVISION, FIFTH MARINE DIVISION, FIFTH AMPHIBIOUS CORPS and the supporting NAVAL FORCES' FIFTH FLEET – many of whom trained in the Hawaiian islands and forged life-long friendships here, becoming part of our `Ohana – who fought courageously at the battle for Iwo Jima and, in so many cases, paid the ultimate price for our freedom; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Brigadier General George J. Trautman, III, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Hawai`i, to be placed at Marine Corps Base Hawai`i.

Report Title:

Honoring the 60^th Anniversary of the Battle for Iwo Jima