thedrifter
10-17-03, 09:13 PM
Iwo Jima veteran passes
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 20031017201139
Story by Sarah Fry
MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(October 17, 2003) -- Dr. George Gentile, founder and president of the National Iwo Jima Survivors' Association, passed away at his home in Newington, Conn., on Oct. 7. He is survived by his wife, Winifred, and daughters Bethanne, Susan and Julia.
Born in New Britain, Conn., on May 29, 1921, Gentile enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942, while in his second year of college, soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
After a troop train movement to the west coast in late 1944, he shipped out with the 30th Replacement Bn. to train with the 4th Marine Division on Maui. At Iwo Jima, Gentile spent the first few days helping transport troops and fuel to the beach. The third day, he went ashore at Blue Beach as an infantry rifleman with Charlie Co., 1st Bn., 25th Marines.
Unwounded in the weeks of heavy fighting that followed, Gentile helped to clear surviving Japanese from caves and sniper positions. When he and his fellow Marines finally made it back to the beach to await transport back out to the ships, they found a stack of New York Daily News newspapers on the beach. On the front page, they saw AP photographer Joe Rosenthal's photo of the second flag raising atop Mount Suribachi, taken on Feb. 23, 1945.
Gentile served after the war with 7th Military Police Bn. on Guam then was honorably discharged in April 1946 with the rank of corporal.
After completing his degree at Niagara University (1947) and another at Georgetown University (Doctor of Dental Surgery, 1950), he practiced dentistry in New Britain for 38 years, and was very active in his community and numerous organizations.
In 1987, Dr. Gentile formed the Iwo Jima Survivors' Association and served the rest of his life as the association's only president. On Feb. 23, 1995, the 50th anniversary of the two flag raisings on Iwo Jima, the Association unveiled and dedicated the National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument in Newington, Conn.
Dr. Gentile met Alice and Sefton ("Bee") Clark of Kamuela, Hawaii in 1996.
Gentile shared memories with the Clarks recalling the 4th Marine Division's training in Hawaii during World War II, at "Camp Maui" on the island of Maui. He asked them for their support of his group's desire to place an Iwo Jima memorial in Hawaii to be shared with the world. The Hawaii memorial would duplicate the one his national organization had put up in Connecticut. More importantly, it could be cast from the same molds.
The Clarks soon organized their second nonprofit, "The Pacific War Memorial Association," to raise funds for the replica monument and to find an appropriate location for it here on Oahu. (They also continued their work on the Big Island, to honor the Marines who had trained there, bringing the Camp Tarawa Monument into existence and seeing it dedicated in 1998.)
The end result of Gentile's dream and the Clarks' tireless efforts is the Pacific War Memorial that now stands aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. Dr. Gentile was present to witness the dedication of the memorial on March 16, 2002, along with others who helped in its creation.
The Pacific War Memorial is a tribute to all who have served and continue to serve in the United States military. It also honors residents who support the military in Hawaii and it honors Dr. George Gentile.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20031017201412/$file/GentilePasseslow.jpg
Dr. George Gentile, founder and president of the National Iwo Jima Survivors' Association, passed away at his home in Newington, Conn., on Oct. 7.
Photo by: Courtesy of the Gentile Family
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20031017201959/$file/CMCGentilelow.jpg
General James L. Jones (left), former commandant of the Marine Corps, discusses the new Pacific War Memorial aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, and the importance of it's dedication with Mrs. Alice Clark (center) and Dr. George Gentile (right) in 2002.
Photo by: Courtesy of the Pacific War Memorial Association
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20031017202223/$file/GentileCGlow.jpg
Pictured together at the Pacific War Memorial at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, after the dedication ceremony on March 16, 2002, are (left to right): SgtMaj Filipo Ilaoa, USMC; Chaplain Charles Goe; Dr. John H. Galbreath; BGen Jerry C. McAbee; LtCol Thomas Kalus, USMC (Ret.); Dr. George Gentile; and Dr. Bill Pate.
Photo by: Courtesy of the Pacific War Memorial Association
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/488CAF8C8C296B7785256DC300011142?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
May He Rest In Peace
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 20031017201139
Story by Sarah Fry
MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(October 17, 2003) -- Dr. George Gentile, founder and president of the National Iwo Jima Survivors' Association, passed away at his home in Newington, Conn., on Oct. 7. He is survived by his wife, Winifred, and daughters Bethanne, Susan and Julia.
Born in New Britain, Conn., on May 29, 1921, Gentile enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942, while in his second year of college, soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
After a troop train movement to the west coast in late 1944, he shipped out with the 30th Replacement Bn. to train with the 4th Marine Division on Maui. At Iwo Jima, Gentile spent the first few days helping transport troops and fuel to the beach. The third day, he went ashore at Blue Beach as an infantry rifleman with Charlie Co., 1st Bn., 25th Marines.
Unwounded in the weeks of heavy fighting that followed, Gentile helped to clear surviving Japanese from caves and sniper positions. When he and his fellow Marines finally made it back to the beach to await transport back out to the ships, they found a stack of New York Daily News newspapers on the beach. On the front page, they saw AP photographer Joe Rosenthal's photo of the second flag raising atop Mount Suribachi, taken on Feb. 23, 1945.
Gentile served after the war with 7th Military Police Bn. on Guam then was honorably discharged in April 1946 with the rank of corporal.
After completing his degree at Niagara University (1947) and another at Georgetown University (Doctor of Dental Surgery, 1950), he practiced dentistry in New Britain for 38 years, and was very active in his community and numerous organizations.
In 1987, Dr. Gentile formed the Iwo Jima Survivors' Association and served the rest of his life as the association's only president. On Feb. 23, 1995, the 50th anniversary of the two flag raisings on Iwo Jima, the Association unveiled and dedicated the National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument in Newington, Conn.
Dr. Gentile met Alice and Sefton ("Bee") Clark of Kamuela, Hawaii in 1996.
Gentile shared memories with the Clarks recalling the 4th Marine Division's training in Hawaii during World War II, at "Camp Maui" on the island of Maui. He asked them for their support of his group's desire to place an Iwo Jima memorial in Hawaii to be shared with the world. The Hawaii memorial would duplicate the one his national organization had put up in Connecticut. More importantly, it could be cast from the same molds.
The Clarks soon organized their second nonprofit, "The Pacific War Memorial Association," to raise funds for the replica monument and to find an appropriate location for it here on Oahu. (They also continued their work on the Big Island, to honor the Marines who had trained there, bringing the Camp Tarawa Monument into existence and seeing it dedicated in 1998.)
The end result of Gentile's dream and the Clarks' tireless efforts is the Pacific War Memorial that now stands aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. Dr. Gentile was present to witness the dedication of the memorial on March 16, 2002, along with others who helped in its creation.
The Pacific War Memorial is a tribute to all who have served and continue to serve in the United States military. It also honors residents who support the military in Hawaii and it honors Dr. George Gentile.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20031017201412/$file/GentilePasseslow.jpg
Dr. George Gentile, founder and president of the National Iwo Jima Survivors' Association, passed away at his home in Newington, Conn., on Oct. 7.
Photo by: Courtesy of the Gentile Family
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20031017201959/$file/CMCGentilelow.jpg
General James L. Jones (left), former commandant of the Marine Corps, discusses the new Pacific War Memorial aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, and the importance of it's dedication with Mrs. Alice Clark (center) and Dr. George Gentile (right) in 2002.
Photo by: Courtesy of the Pacific War Memorial Association
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20031017202223/$file/GentileCGlow.jpg
Pictured together at the Pacific War Memorial at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, after the dedication ceremony on March 16, 2002, are (left to right): SgtMaj Filipo Ilaoa, USMC; Chaplain Charles Goe; Dr. John H. Galbreath; BGen Jerry C. McAbee; LtCol Thomas Kalus, USMC (Ret.); Dr. George Gentile; and Dr. Bill Pate.
Photo by: Courtesy of the Pacific War Memorial Association
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/488CAF8C8C296B7785256DC300011142?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
May He Rest In Peace