Banzai Poem by Richard McClellan

On March 26,1945,
the 46th Fighter Squadron,
advanced on Iwo [Jima],
as escorts for the bomber crews,

Monday morning early,
while the squad was sacked,
everyone was greeted,
to a Japanese 'Banzai' attack,

They say around 4 AM,
began a commotion,
as shots rang out, [throughout the tents]
the men awake in disarray, a Banzai in question?

The soldiers pull together,
n' mount a valorous fight,
to match the competitors will,
killed in action was some' plight,

The colonel wounded, [in the arm n' leg]
hit by a enemies [hand] grenade,
the commander shipped out,
as the 46th bid retaliate,

The 46th survived their strike,
the colonel, captain, and you,
fought honorable with unrecognized valor;
fortunate one's, yes, but was it over for you?

No, the Banzai forever burned,
your life thereafter,
so many haven't clue,
you carried it from Iwo to the grave with you!
(Grandpa Don)