IWO JIMA Marine Describes HAND-TO-HAND Combat Against the Japanese | Donald Mates

Private First Class Donald Mates of the Third Marine Division saw some of the greatest action in the Pacific Theater of World War II at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

After seeing combat in Guam, Mates was sent to Iwo Jima with the Fourth Platoon, tasked with locating the dangerous Japanese spigot mortars. At age 89, Mates reflects on his experience in one of the most grueling battles of the Second World War.

Donald Mates passed away on June 1, 2023, at the age of 97.

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Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:05 - Introducing Don Mates 1
1:06 - Why the Marine Corps?
3:27 - Boot Camp In Paris Island
5:02 - Deployment Expectations
8:10 - This Isn't Like The Movies
9:28 - Action Witnessed
11:31 - What One Experiences In War
13:22 - Introducing Don Mates 2
13:50 - Marine's Bond, Specifically With Trimble
17:40 - Time Between Guam and Iwo Jima
19:22 - The Tide in the Pacific
21:25 - Introducing Don Mates 3
21:50 - The Battle
31:00 - Grenades
35:23 - After the Explosion
42:16 - Honoring Jimmy Trimble
44:17 - Conclusion