Monday, Feb. 19 (D Day)

Arrived off Iwo Jima around 0615. The battleships and cruisers were throwing shells into the island, up within a mile of it. The island has a very large volcano at the southern end, the rest of it is low, with a plateau in the center. We put off our troops and they went ashore, we moved into within about a mile of the beach. No enemy planes over, but lots of gun fire on the beach. The first waves got on the beach, but with heavy casualties. The beach is very soft and practically next to impossible to land tanks and gear. Something they didn't plan on. Weather is fine, sunny and the water calm. Around 2:00 P.M. they started to bring back casualties. They were shot up pretty bad. One fellow died after getting back on the ship and was buried at sea. The troops ashore are moving very slowly, the Japs seem to be able to put their motor fire very accurately. They can't seem to get near the volcano, too many up in the rocks. We cruised at sea all night returning in the morning. Had a flash red, but no planes.

Tuesday, Feb. 20 (D+1)

Arrived back in the transport area again around 0600, dropped our boats and waited. They fired a couple of shots from the beach at the transports, so we moved further back. Yesterday two shots landed right off our bow. The planes are continually hitting the island, all carrier based, firing rockets. The Japs are putting up a big show, we have lost a great deal more men than expected. Still unable to land cargo on our beach, Green 1, the motor and snipers are too numerous. It is rather rainy today, but not too bad a sea. We received lots more casualties aboard. The U.S.S. Smaritan, hospital ship arrived today and the worst cases will be transferred to her. Got another air raid scare around 4:00 P.M., but nothing turned up. Left the area around 5:00 and proceeded to sea for the night. Will return again in the morning for the day.