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Sheet metal workers on Iwo Jima examining a wing of a P-51 Mustang damaged by mortar shell from a Jap position there, The workers are, left to right: Sgt. William Perry, S/Sgt. Lon Carson, Cpl Frank W. Radigan, and Sgt. Manny Wolfe
One of the first planes to arrive at Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands - North American P-51 "Mustang" - comes in for a landing on the airstrip. 6 March 1945
When the planes first approach the airstrip on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands, they are still flying in formations. The "pitch out" one by one as they fly a hundred feet or so from the ground and then, individually, they do an almost vertical twist into the sky. You can see the first plane of this formation "pitching out" in this photograph. The "pitch out" gives each plane a lot of distance from its neighbor. Then they circle around and come in to land one by one. This is a vital safety measure to prevent jamming on the strip.
In the early morning hours of 26 March 1945 the 21st Fighter Group area was hit by a Japanese "Banzai" attack on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. It is estimated that approximately 300 Japanese, the remnant of 3 units, participated in this charge. This is a general view of the 21st Fighter Group Officers' tent area showing Japanese and American dead lying where they fell. After the battle 150 Japanese dead were found in the 21st Group Area.
Services for men killed during a Banzai attack on 21st Fighter Group, VII Fighter Command, are held in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery, Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. 1 April 1945.
Jim Beckwith in "Squirt" of the 47th FS, 15th FG leads a group of P-51's from the 45th FS, 15th FG over Iwo Jima March 7, 1945
CRIPPLED B-29 CRASHES ON IWO JIMA - Returning from a strike over Tokyo, this B-29 of the 21st Bomber Command came into Iwo Jima for an emergency landing. Brakes on the Superfort locked and the huge plane careened into the flight line, plowed through four Mustang fighters, and burst into flames. Two members of the crew were hospitalized for burns, two others suffered minor burns end the remainder escaped unhurt. Men in the foreground crouch behind a jeep to avoid exploding ammunition.
45th FS - Lt. Ceil Dennis, atop Mount Suribachi on a July evening in 1945, looks out over the 21st Bomber Command installations and the ships anchored near the shore of Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands.
Same scene almost 65 years later
1st visible plane is San Antonio Rose; pilot Beaver Kinsel (later KIA). 2nd plane is Skeeter; pilot Joe D. Walker (kia July 20, 1945) This is the day the 45th landed on Iwo. The smoke is from a 78th FS plane that crashed on landing and hit two 45th FS P-51's
When a North American P-51 of the 78th FS, 15th Fighter Group came in for a landing at its base on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands, it slid into the 45th FS P-51 "Foxy" (left) setting it on fire, then nosed over and fell on the wing of another plane (background). Both planes are beyond repair and probably the third one because of the damaged wing. 10 March 1945.
A 46th Fighter Squadron P-51 landing on Iwo Jima after a mission. Notice in the sky are two more P-51's in the circuit as well as a circling B-29
T/Sgt. Garlan Vaught, 928 Allens Lane, Evansville, Indiana, a tired crew chief on Iwo Jima, takes a nap after finishing work on his Mustang for the next fighter strike against Japan.
Jerry Yellin in fornt of his P-51 Mustang "Dorrie R"
The new Premier of Japan was ushered in with a bang on 7 April 1945, when for the first time in World War II land based fighters escorted Boeing B-29's over Tokyo. Two hundred B-29's based in the Marianas, and a hundred North American P-51's pulled a one two over industrial Tokyo that brought twenty-one Jap planes tumbling down. Here, the sleek Mustangs have returned from their mission and a crowd gathers to get first-hand information from the pilots. This raid was the climax for which the Marines paid so dearly on Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands where these fighters are based. James VandeHey’s 78th Fighter Squadron P-51 #100, Jeanne VIII, which was named after his wife.
The new Premier of Japan was ushered in with a bang on 7 April 1945, when for the first time in World War II land based fighters escorted Boeing B-29's over Tokyo. Two hundred B-29's based in the Marianas, and a hundred North American P-51's pulled a one two over industrial Tokyo that brought twenty-one Jap planes tumbling down. Here, on 8 April 1945, the day after the raid, Boeing B-29's, North American P-51's and Northrop P-6l's are parked along Number #1 strip on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. Mt. Suribachi may be seen in the background. 78th Fighter Squadron
Wreckage of Lt. Dahlquist's North American P-51 "Miss Jo III" of the 78th FS, 15th Fighter Group, which cracked-up" at the 7th Air Force base on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands on 10 March 1945.
5th Marine Cemetery - Photo credit - Jerry Schoenbert
Not the parking area at an aircraft factory, but the flight line at Iwo Jima where 7th Fighter Command North American P-51's capable of escorting the Superforts on their attacks over the Japanese homeland, line the runway as far as the eye can see. 78th Fighter Squadron - airfield #1
78th FS Motor Pool (gone by 11/12/45) on Iwo Jima 1st Row Montanti, Scalfani, Leuesque, Vespo, Newman, Bessette 2nd Row Richardson, Gooley, Chohinard, Maines, Cermelli, Springstroh, Hartlieb, Schinebke
313th Bomb Wing B-29 escorting unidentified 7th Fighter Command P-51 mustangs from Iwo Jima to Japan
Guns and unexploded ammunition are salvaged from this North American P-51 which crashed and burned during take-off from Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. 15 April 1945. 21st Fighter Group P-51
Iwo Jima - After the Battle - Junk yard of crashed P-51's which are being salvaged by crews of the 363rd Service Group. 21st Fighter Group P-51’s
Men of the 386th Air Service Group go over the side of a transport ship into a landing craft which will take them ashore at Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands, 6 March 1945
Returning frcm a Tokyo raid, this Boeing B-29 Superfortress crashed on night landing at Iwo Jima. Before coming to rest on the embankment, plane ran into a truck, killed a Seabee, and injured two men sleeping in a tent.
A Northrop P-61 Black Widow on Iwo Jima, attempted a blind landing in a fog aided by AN/MPN-1 Unit. Wind carried the plane off line and it landed on top of another Northrop P-61 seen in distance, finally coming to a stop as shown.
414th Fighter Group Republic P-47N's began operations from Iwo Jima in July 1945. While on a shake-down mission, this one spun into a hill and killed the pilot.
A Boeing B-29 Superfortress and North American P-51 "Mustangs" burn furiously on a runway at Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. The B-29, which was returning from a bombing mission on 24. April 1945, developed engine trouble over the island, and, while attempting to make an emergency landing, crashed into nine P-51s parked on the runway. Four of the Mustangs were destroyed and five were damaged. The bomber was from the 39th Bomb Squadron, 504th Bomb Group, 313th Bomb Wing, based on Tinian, Marianas Islands.
46th Fighter Squadron North American P-51 Mustang "Drip & Dick" being moved away from a burning Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" which crash landed on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands.
Wreckage of a North American P-51 which crashed while landing on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands, after returning from a raid over Chichi Jima. The pilot, evidently, lost control of the wheels and the plane ploughed into tents, knocking a truck over and then burst into flames. The pilot died the next day and another person was killed when the truck overturned on him. 7 April 1945.
Wreckage of Lt. Dalquist's North American P-51 "Miss Jo III" of the 78th FS, 15th Fighter Group, which cracked-up" at the 7th Air Force base on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands on 10 March 1945.
45th Fighter Squadron P-51 Mustangs fighters off of Iwo Jima being escorted by a B-29 Superfortress from the 498th Bomb Group T Square 5
FIGHTER CHIEF PLANS PACIFIC STRIKE — At a 7th Fighter Command Base on Iwo Jima, Brig. Gen. Ernest M. "Mickey" Moore, right, chief of the 7th Fighter Command in the Pacific, briefs Group Commander Col James O. Beckwith, Jr., 48 Grove Street, Burlington, Vt., on plans for a new fighter attack in the Japan theatre. General Moore's wife and daughter live at 2115 T. Street, Washington, D.C.
Brig. General Ernest Moore and staff officers of the 7th Fighter Command. Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. 9 March 1945
Shortly after their arrival on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands, on an inspection tour, Lt. General Barney M. Giles (center) and Lt. General James Doolittle talk with personnel of the VII Fighter Command. 21 May 1945.
Out of the gaping mouths of Coast Guard and Navy Landing Craft, rose the great flow of invasion supplies to the blackened sands of Iwo Jima, a few hours after the Marines had wrested their foothold on the vital island. 1945. PhoM2c. Paul Queenan. (Coast Guard) Exact Date Shot Unknown NARA FILE #: 026-G-4098
Photo of 78th Fighter Squadron pilots who participated in the April 7, 1945 Very Long Range (VLR) Escort Mission. This was the first time AAF fighters flew over Japan.
After a hot shower at "Ye Olde Iwo Jima Spa", pilots soak for ten minutes in improvised galvanized tubs filled with natural salt and sulfur water from a well on Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands. Brief Magazine
Morning sick call in a 7th Fighter Command ambulance an Iwo Jima. The Medic is Cpl. Reaford B Williams, W/O Herman J. Diesel is the man being treated. In left background is Cpl Willard S Bennett, At extreme right (wearing glasses) is Cpl. Nolan Patterson
Old Glory flying over Mt. Suribachi after the battle for Iwo Jima
Invasion Beaches 3/3/2010
Joe Rosenthal's famous photo
Jerry Yellin, P-51 78th Fighter Squadron Pilot in the saddle again
Photo Jerry Yellin took of the previous P-51's cockpit
A Marine "Oly" (L-5) coming in for a landing on Motoyama #1 on Iwo Jima, Bonin islands. The plane is used for artillery spotting. March 1945.
