Return To Iwo Jima + 50

About the Book

A personal account and recollection of when I became a Marine and the experiences that were to follow; starting with Boot Camp in 1943, followed by parachute training school, formation of the Fifth Marine Division in January 1945 at Camp Pendleton, and our first and last operation at Iwo Jima.  Prompted by my visit to Iwo Jima in 1995, 50 years after the battle that I can recall today, as though it occurred last week.

The fact that there were only 24 original members of a company of 224 that walked off that island 34 days later; though it was originally planned as a 72 hour operation.

The trip back to Hawaii after Iwo Jima, the dropping of two atomic bombs that saved countless lives when Japan surrendered.  The occupation of Japan, a brief stop at Peleliu before I returned to the States and life as a civilian once again.  Which turned out to be shorter than I ever imagined after my graduation from college in 1949.  My return to the Corps in 1949 and graduation from Basic School followed shortly by our call to go to Korea.  Followed by my recovery from wounds and return to active duty.   Followed by a variety of duty stations that I was pleased with along the way; with some of the people who I met along the way.  Finally, my final tour in combat in a country so far away, called Vietnam, and some of the interesting incidents that occurred while I was there.  In spite of orders to Quantico, I opted to retire in 1966 from what I call my beloved Corps!   Life has been good and if I were to live it over, there would be few changes that I would make.  I place my trust and faith in the future of the Marine Corps around the world to do what is right for America, and never forget the translation of Semper Fidelis is Always Faithful!

God Bless America;

About the Author

The experiences of a retired Marine Corps Major, who after a fifty year gap was re-energized by his return to Iwo Jima where he participated in this historical campaign, and watched as his unit was slowly cut down by enemy fire. Upon his return to the Corps in 1949, this time as a 2dLt. and shortly after graduation found his unit landing at Inchon to face the North Korean enemy. After being wounded and later returned to duty, you will follow his career and duty stations and the people he met along the way. Finally, in 1965, we find the Marine Corps along with the author is again involved in combat in Southeast Asia in a land known as Vietnam, as a member of the First Marine Division. In conclusion, Major Maiden, decides to retire from the Corps and continue his life outside the Marine Corps He dedicates his book to those he had known and served with and who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the Corps.