Film from my dad's ship--the USS Starr (AKA-67)--during WWII. It took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa (and was hit by a Japanese suicide boat at Okinawa several days after the invasion began, in April 1945). Some of the video is of the invasion of Iwo Jima. The film came from Fred Kranz, who was of the Marine guard on the ship.

Aircraft and helicopters of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261. Slideshow. 120130-N-OR551-061 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 30, 2012) Cpl. Shaun Deibert, from of Hays, Kan., assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 cleans the cabin of an AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group is participating in Bold Alligator 2012 and final certification exercises in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Morgan E. Dial/Released) 120130-N-OR551-008 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 30, 2012) An MV-22 Osprey helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group is participating in Bold Alligator 2012 and final certification exercises in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Morgan E. Dial/Released) 120130-N-OR551-061 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 30, 2012) Cpl. Shaun Deibert, from of Hays, Kan., assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 cleans the cabin of an AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group is participating in Bold Alligator 2012 and final certification exercises in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (US Navy photo <b>...</b>

Clarence Tibado is one of the few that survived aboard the USS Pensacola when it was shelled in Iwo Jima during World War 2. Clarence talks about the day a shell came into the chamber where he was. He talks about the USS Pensacola and the friends he lost. This video was made many years ago, but still today Clarence is alive and well.. But this is one day even he will NEVER forget..

1980 "Stalag 17" Sketch with William Holden, Anita Ekberg William Holden, Robert Strauss, Peter Leeds and Anita Ekberg entertain the troops in the South Pacific with this parody of Holden's Academy Award-winning "Stalag 17." Broadcast in February 1980, this sketch is part of aa three-hour retrospective look back at Bob Hope's war record -- from March Field in California in 1941 to the deck of the USS Iwo Jima in 1979... the early radio shows that were aired to our Armed Forces Overseas, "Command Performance"... guests like Judy Garland and Frances Langford. This is how it was right down to Bing and Bob singing "Mares Eat Oats" in the South Pacific (and Bing sans his toupee yet.)You can read all about what happened behind-the-scenes of these classic Bob Hope video clips by reading Bob Mills' book "THE LAUGH MAKERS: A Behind-the-Scenes Tribute to Bob Hope's Incredible Gag Writers." Says "laugh-In's" Gary Owens: "The Laugh Makers is the book we've all been waiting for. It's jam-packed with stories, anecdotes and un-retouched photos from a fondly remembered past, recalling often hilarious, sometimes heartwarming, and always touching tales of legendary stars, near-legendary stars and one or two complete failures — which happens in show business. You can look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls." To get your copy, just click on this Amazon link: www.amazon.com Or this Barnes & Noble link: search.barnesandnoble.com Or, if you'd prefer the KINDLE e-version for $2.99, click here: www.amazon.com

When he was only 16, "Mannie" Witt convinced his parents to let him enlist in the Navy. He was assigned as a signalman to the USS Arkansas which, as part of a convoy of ships, participated in the Normandy Invasion at Omaha Beach and saw action at Iwo Jima, the ship's target being Mt. Suribachi. Mannie witnessed from the mast the battles, the Kamikaze pilots and all the close calls. After the war, he was assigned to the USS Tennessee under Vice Admiral Jesse Oldendorf, who was in charge of the occupation of Southern Japan. He witnessed the devastation of Hiroshima and finished his tour of duty on the USS Appalachian, where he was discharged as a Signalman First Class.