12.01.07
MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALL, 232 YEARS, AND UNCLE AL…
By: 2Lt Barnes,USMC
I walked into the house where the ball was being held and I immediately saw
an old Marine in his Dress Blues bearing the rank of a Private First Class.
I waited until the herd around him cleared and I approached him to find out
his story. He was wearing a Purple Heart on his chest and I proceeded to ask
him where he was awarded this medal.
He told me that he was shot on the Island of Iwo Jima during WWII in 1945. I
asked him to elaborate and he looked around and pointed at the chair behind
him and said, "Have a seat young man." We sat down and he fumbled around for
the words to express what happened that day in February 1945 and he got
choked up and said that he cannot tell me much of what happened even though
he thinks about it everyday. He revealed very little information and then
humbly pointed to his son and told me that if I wanted to know what really
happened I should to ask him. So I did...
This is the story of PFC "Uncle Al" United States Marine...
He enlisted at 17 with the required signature of his parents. Because of
his athletic ability and his speed they made him a runner for the Company
Commander. These were the days when the runner actually had to run. His boat
landed on the beach of Iwo Jima, opposite the side of the famous Mount
Suribachi. The Company Commander ran up the shore and over the hill to
survey. The Captain deemed the shore all clear and turned to call for his
runner, PFC Uncle Al, following orders like a good Marine, came blitzing up
the shore to take his position next to the Captain. As he was running, a
Japanese sniper shot him with a bullet that went through his right eye and
exited through his left jaw. During this bloody battle, only the Marines who
the corpsman thought were going to! live were evacuated. So Uncle Al, having
received a bullet wound to the head was passed over for evacuation. He hung
on for two days until they realized that he was still very much alive and
could survive. They took him to the hospital and they repaired his face and
sent him home.
Uncle Al stood before the guests of the ball as the oldest Marine present
and gave a speech. This 78 year-old former PFC emotionally confessed that
the Dress Blue uniform that he was wearing tonight was the first time he had
ever put on that distinguished uniform. His family had heard that he was
invited to this ball and had the uniform made so he could appear in it
before us. As he gave his brief speech he claimed that he would re-enlist
all over again if he had the chance.
As a proud Second Lieutenant, wearing his Dress Blues with a bold strut and
a confidence that could be seen by a blind man, I just stood there, humbled
and crushed, feeling unworthy to wear the same uniform as this former
Private First Class. I failed to remember that the only reason this uniform
that I was wearing is distinguished is because of men like PFC Uncle Al. I
just casually put it on and thought to myself, "Wow, this is the best
looking uniform in the world!" I was definitely proud to put it on, yet I
neglected to acknowledge its blood-stained legacy. I got a glimpse that
night of what it really means to bear the title of a United States Marine.
Here before me was a man who had every right to boast yet he didn't even
want to talk about himself rather he wanted me, as a young Marine, to never
forget those Marines who fought on every Island in the Pacific and! who
never had the chance to put on that proud uniform.
This is the legacy of our nation's Marine Corps and a reminder of the
valiant Marines who have secured and continue to secure that legacy.
