So as some of you know, Dr. Gregory Urwin was one of our historians on The Battle of Bunker Hill DVD. He is currently a Professor of History at Temple University in Philadelphia. In the planning and researching for his new book "Victory in Defeat", Dr. Urwin traveled to Japan and Wake Island. He was warmly welcomed and was able to use the amazing experience for his book, which will tell the incredible story of the defenders of Wake Island after they surrendered to the Japanese on December 23, 1941. Recently, I received pictures from his trip, which I would like to share with you on this Memorial Day:
"I received royal treatment from my host, Lieutenant Colonel Vance “Jethro” Cryer, the C.O. of Marine Attack Squadron 211 and my host. This photo was taken on VMA-211’s flight line on Friday, August 21. "
"On Saturday, August 22, Colonel Cryer took me to visit Hiroshima . This is ground-zero, August 6, 1945, the famed “Atomic Bomb Dome” at the entrance to the Hiroshima Memorial Park Area. The museum there presents a moving and surprisingly balanced assessment of the use of the first atomic bomb in warfare. This is a must-see attraction for any WWII historian."
"We finally got to Wake Island and I did my stuff on August 26, splitting the Marines into two groups for the two. Here I am with the squadron pilots and the “trail” in front of Wake’s Marine Corps Monument."
"For the flight from Iwakuni to Wake, I flew in a C-130. Leaving Wake, however, I rode in an Air Force KC-10 Extender (flying tanker) and got to sit beside the refueling console at the rear of the aircraft during two refuelings for the four Harriers flying with us. I got some spectacular photos from this seat!"
"Like this one. You have not lived until you’ve seen the business end of a Harrier come within 50 feet of where you are sitting!"
No comments:
Post a Comment