November 9, 2024
When Marine Corporal Dr. Martin Johnson, Portland, N.D., won a discounted battlefield tour of the Pacific area World War II historical sites, little did he know he’d have an opportunity to meet a fellow-Marine who experienced the Battle of Iwo Jima first-hand in 1945. While visiting the island of Iwo Jima in 2015, Dr. Johnson met John R. (Jack) Thurman from Colorado. As they posed for a photo, Dr. Johnson learned that Thurman was among the men who was present as the U.S. flag was raised to signify the United States’ capture of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima in 1945.
Jack Thurman was eager to join the Marine Corps during World War II. He looked up to his uncle who had served as a Marine in World War I and wanted to follow in his footsteps. He even tried to join at the age of 15 or 16, but he wasn’t able to get in, so he enlisted as soon as he could, on his 18th birthday. Thurman entered the Marine Corps as a private first class and left with the rank of sergeant.
Similarly, Martin Johnson became fascinated with the Marines and their exploits at an early age. Marty says, “I really admired the Marines. They looked rugged, fit, and confident. Seeing them made me want to be a Marine - so I enlisted. This was a life-changing decision for me. The Marines taught me lessons that served me well throughout my life and career.”
Martin Johnson enlisted in the Marines in 1960 and served three years active duty and three years inactive reserve. His duty stations included California; Okinawa, Japan; and the Philippines. With tongue in cheek, the forever clever and quick-witted Johnson mentioned that his most interesting assignment was playing football for the Marines in an Interservice League. “Incidentally,” he said, “that was my only combat experience.”
Jack Thurman’s first and only conflict during his four years of active duty with the Marine Corps was the Battle of Iwo Jima.
On Feb. 19, 1945, in the throes of World War II, U.S. Marines began their assault on the small island of Iwo Jima in Japan, a stronghold of the Japanese Empire. Controlling this space would be beneficial for the Allied Forces as the island was directly under the flight path of the B-29 Superfortress bombers going to Japan and it would be strategically advantageous as the war effort continued and Japan was attacked.
Three Marine divisions (more than 80,000 men) were assigned the task of taking the eight-square-mile island of Iwo Jima, located between Saipan and Tokyo. The island was dominated by 554-foot Mount Suribachi.
Thurman and his squad landed on Iwo Jima with the first wave of Marines on Feb. 19, 1945. They disembarked a ship from offshore in amphibious tractors (Amtracs) that could float on water and drive on land. As the soldiers came toward shore, Japanese, who had a good vantage point from shore and Mount Suribachi, attacked the men with cannons and other weapons.
Thurman said, “The Amtrac to my left was hit. The Amtrack to my right was blown completely out of the water. It went down so fast it left a whirlpool in the water.”
By the time Pvt. Thurman reached shore, he realized that he too had been hit, in the hip. He thought the bullet probably went through his canteen, which slowed it down. It didn’t break the skin, but Jack had a black and blue hip for several days.
In just four days, on Feb. 23, 1945, the Marines gained control of Mount Suribachi. The raising of the American flag by several Marines serves as an iconic reminder of this significant victory. A small flag was initially raised by an assault platoon. Later in the day, a larger flag was put in place while the smaller was respectfully retired. The brisk wind that day caused the raising of the flag to take great effort.
Photos taken of this act of patriotism, including photographer Joe Rosenthal’s Pulitzer Prize-winning shot, “Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima,” have become a widely recognized reminder of American resolve. Jack Thurman was a good friend of Ira Hayes, one of the men pictured in Rosenthal’s iconic photo. The photo is also the subject of multiple statues and monuments depicting that important moment in history. One such statue is at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va.
The battle for control of Iwo Jima lasted 36 days. In that conflict nearly 6,000 Marines were killed in action, died of wounds, or were missing in action and presumed dead. Another couple hundred Navy corpsmen and surgeons assigned to the Marines also perished.
Though their military careers took place along separate paths, there is no doubt that in their chance meeting at a place in Japan with significant meaning to the United States of America, Martin Johnson and Jack Thurman felt the bond that ties all Marines together.
Latin for “Always Faithful,” Semper Fidelis is the motto of every Marine. Established in 1883, it distinguishes the bond developed and shared among Marines, and symbolizes the lifelong commitment that Marines have to the Corps, their fellow Marines, their country, and the success of their battles.
“I am most grateful to all Marines who throughout history have made the Marines - THE MARINES,” said Dr. Johnson. “I am a proud Marine, thankful to have earned the title Marine - a title which means so much to me.”
“As we pause to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good this Veterans Day,” said Beth Swenson, Mayville State University Director of Alumni Affairs, “we thank Corporal Johnson and Sergeant Thurman, as well as all veterans, for their service that has allowed all Americans to enjoy their freedoms.”
Dr. Martin Johnson is a 1966 Mayville State graduate. He was a professor and chair of the Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Mayville State University for 30 years. He also coached and served as Athletic Director, retiring in 2001 with the title of Professor Emeritus.
Johnson and fellow Marine, Lieutenant General Emil “Buck” Bedard, 1965 Mayville State graduate, head up the Military Honor Garden project on the grounds of the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center at Mayville State University. These men have worked hard to ensure that the Military Honor Garden is an extra-special and meaningful tribute to those who bravely served, and continue to serve, to uphold our country’s liberty and freedom.
To learn more about how you can honor a loved one at the Military Honor Garden, call the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4864 or go to www.mayvillestate.edu/militaryhonorgarden.
