MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Reigns of heavy fire belted the coastline as the amphibious warriors attacked the beach where the enemy fighters had strategically positioned themselves.
After hundreds of the brave warriors had given their lives in the brutal battle, a few remaining marched to the highest point of the enemy territory and planted our cherished stars and stripes in the war-torn soil.
This is the battle of Iwo Jima. It will be forever etched in the pages of history as one of the most furious battles the Marine Corps has successfully fought.
Warriors from Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 301 celebrated the 58th anniversary of the attack on Iwo Jima with a 12K hump across MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Feb. 21.
The hump began at the Marine Aircraft Group 24 armory near the flightline and went up to the Range Training Facility. Right before reaching the gates of the range, Capt. Justin Stodghill, assistant maintenance officer for HMT-301, began playing the spine-tingling tunes of the "Marines Hymn."
At the range, the Marines from received a block of instruction about the attacks of Wake Island and Iwo Jima.
They learned how the battles unfolded into the pages of history and were allowed to ask questions on the details of the attacks as well as the importance of the battles in World War II.
"I believe in the total Marine concept, said Lt. Col. Mark D. Franklin, commanding officer of HMT-301. "We aren't just wrench turners on the helicopters. We all wear the eagle, globe and anchor and are issued battle gear and should train with it."
Although the hump was in memory of the battle of Iwo Jima, this was also a chance for HMT-301 to practice small-unit leadership, as well as inspecting and taking care of Marines in a field environment.
"We are the number-one squadron in MAG-24," said Franklin. "We can out-fly and out-fight anyone, anywhere."