The Entire Island Is a Shrine
By Colonel John W. Ripley, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
The Navy Cross recipient climbed Mount Suribachi in November 1987, more than 15 years after his heroic destruction of the bridge at Dong Ha during the Vietnam War. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, we present this poignant letter he wrote then to his friend, Ross Mackenzie. Colonel Ripley is scheduled to revisit Iwo Jima in February 2005 and has agreed to report from the anniversary commemoration there for Naval History .
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Colonel Ripley served for 35 years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is Director, Marine Corps History and Museums.
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