Those Young and Brave Marines

Airdale, Dooney, Joe, and Jack grew up in Ennis in northeast Texas. They died in the Battle for Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest of World War II lasting 36 Days and 35 Nights.

AIRDALE GOODWIN	DOONEY PIERCE

Died of Wound	Killed In Action
March 9, 1945	March 13, 1945

THOSE YOUNG

AND

BRAVE MARINES

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On Iwo's bare and ashen waste,

They bravely went ashore

With courage too, the danger faced

The heat of battle bore.

Yes, every one, a worthy man;

A stout and fine young man;

They showed the world just what they had,

In combat with Japan.

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The years, for some, were but a few.

Mere boys they seemed to be.

'Twas yesterday they'd fashioned, too,

That world they hoped to see.

But now, in somber strain, one pens

"They've fallen in the strife."

'Tis thus, a war abruptly ends

The plans they had for life.

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Too much for them cannot be said;

They did the job assigned.

'Twas though but with a fearless tread,

They left all ease behind.

Each one with sense of honor clad,

A child of peaceful scenes.

They gave the nation what they had--

Those young and brave marines.

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"Singing in the Shadows," By Jerry Lee Oliver

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The poem "Those Young and Brave Marines" was taken from the book of poems "Singing in the Shadows," by Jerry Lee Oliver, compiled by Jerry Lee Oliver Jr., and edited by Sharon Oliver Coffin.

JOE CROW	JACK LUMMUS

Killed In Action	Died of Wounds
February 20, 1945	March 8, 1945