Bradley Heavy

Recently, I read a book I really enjoyed it. It is especially interesting to me by the fact that my father, Norman Sprague, had been at Iwo Jima when he began battle. He had also fought in Bougainville and Solomon Islands as a Marine during the conflict in the Second World War in the Pacific theater. The novel you back in time and decompresses the episodes of this conflict the past in a vivid manner. For me it was one of the books hard to put down.

My dad was not one of the flag raisers, but he was there watching from a nearby field and his position as member of the 3rd Marine Division, that day. You will recall that James Bradley's father was John Bradley, who was a soldier in the Navy with the Marine Division 5, which was also at Iwo Jima. Another division Marines also was there that day. It was 4 Marine Division.

In all, 7,000 U.S. Marines landed on Iwo Jima that day. They left the ground without realizing that 22,000 Japanese soldiers awaited them. The soldiers were defending the fortified island and were almost invisible tunnels, because it was constructed underground bunkers and protection. The Marines are very vulnerable on that beach landing on the island. The Marines were taking chances almost impossible that day. If they had known the preparation of the Japanese, who may have been less likely to rush to launch boats.

There were many casualties the first day. The Marines were allowed to disembark on the beach before he shot himself in order to cause the most damage to their opponents. He had been an ambush in many ways, but the Marines knew there was at least some defenses there. When fighting began, the Marines were like sitting ducks. Bullets and mortars were turned in different hiding places around the island and the mountain in front of them. Many died and did not have much chance to defend themselves.

Heroes must have been made that day as Marines, against all odds, broke into a mountain in front of them. After more than a month of intense fighting, seized the island of Iwo Jima. My dad was a lucky guy to go home from there and so was John Bradley. Dad was more of a hero that I had realize their growth. He seemed to push him out of his memory for most of his life. It had been a nightmare of unimaginable horror and he did not want to remember.

As you can see, I felt a great personal affection and sense of reflection in reading this novel, but I'm sure he would enjoy the historical aspect of it and how was told that this fine author. Since then I read his novel "Flyboys," which is also very well written.