The Iwo Trio

On the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM, three of Alachua County residents meet for lunch at Napolatano's to discuss the things they have in common. The three World War II veterans, who call themselves the "IWO TRIO," represent each of the three US Marine Corps Divisions that landed on Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945.

Clif Cormier of the 3rd Marine Division, Clair Chaffin of the 4th Marine Division, and Bob Gasche of the 5th Marine Division fought in the bloodest battle in US Marine Corps history. Iwo Jima was the only battle in the South Pacific where the American casualties exceeded that of Japanese. Total casualties suffered by the Americans exceeded 26,000, with the Marines suffering over 23,000.

Iwo Jima means "sulfur Island" in Japanese. This battle was the first American amphibious assault on the Japanese territory. Of the 22,000 Japanese who defended the Island only 212 were taken prisoner. What this battle did was show how far the Japanese would defend their country- a decision that was to influence the use of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

To learn more about THE IWO TRIO and the battle for Iwo Jima, click on a name and links below.