Feb. 23, 20121Page

The Bremerton Police Department is searching for an assailant who may have been responsible for three knife attacks, resulting in two deaths, within a mile of Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton.

According to the Bremerton Police Department, the assailant is described as male with a dark complexion, and may be a light skinned African-American or of mixed race. He may be in his late teens or early twenties standing around six feet tall with a slender build. This person has a

Behind the iconic image

Training sharpens Sailors' response

Page

9

Page

10

February 23, 2012 Vol. 37, No. 06

All Hands

Career Day

Police seek murder suspect near base

Sailors tighten Zebra skills

See "Suspect" page 8

Story by MCSN Alexander Ventura IINPC visit Puget Sound Naval

Shipyard(BLDG 502, Old

Gym)TODAY

-All Hands Brief0900

-Leadership Brief1100

*Highly recommended for ERB Sailors*

1-on-1 visit with member from Challenger, Gray &

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**Highly recommended for ERB Sailors**

February 24, 20129a.m. - 4p.m.

Free for Military Job-Seekers (Members of the Military Family, military veterans, military transitioners, National Guard and Reserve forces, care-givers, military spouses, Gold Star & Blue Star family members)

Location:CenturyLink Field's West Club

Lounge800 Occidental Ave S.

Seattle, Washington 98134

Phone: 206-381-7655

www.regonline.com/hahcareerday2012

Yeoman Seaman Januarie Taylor and Yeoman Seaman Jacob Whitis set material condition Yoke after General Quarters, Feb. 21. Nimitz is wrapping up its year-long Docking Planned Incremental Availability period. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Glenn Slaughter/Released.)

SEE RELATED STORY PAGE 6

Feb. 23, 2012 2Page

Chaplain's Corner:Mr. Know-it-All

LCDR Richard Townes, USN

If you are at least

45 years old (or a real vintage

cartoon fan) you may remember a character on the

old Rocky and Bullwinkle Show named Mr. Peabody. He was a bespectacled and genius dog who knew every minute and obscure detail of historical events and told the story in a very entertaining manner. He and his pet boy, Sherman, would travel back in time (via the time machine Mr. P. invented) in order to correct mistakes made in history. Mr. Peabody truly was a know-it-all.

If you remember Mr. Peabody, then you also, no doubt, remember Bullwinkle’s character of Mr. Know-It-All. Mr. Know-It-All was the exact opposite of Mr. Peabody. He would try to teach lessons on how to train a dog or tame a lion and invariably they would end in utter disaster. Mr. Know-It-All knew nothing at all.

Chances are, as you journey through this vast expanse known as the US Navy, you’ve run into many people who think that they’re Mr. Peabodys and are really more like Bullwinkle’s Mr. Know-It-All. Such people don’t have a clue and really drive you crazy as they prattle on and on about things of which they know nothing. They can recite long lists of irrelevant and mindless trivia (Did

you know, by the way, that Mr. Peabody’s first name was Hector?) and know exactly what’s wrong with your life, marriage and car. They’re financial experts and doctors so they know how to get you healthy and rich. They’ve been astronauts, brain surgeons, and Navy S.E.A.L.S. (or at least that’s what they’d like you to think). The problem is that all of us can fall into this same trap of thinking we know it all and don’t.

As I get older I constantly discover that I really don’t know very much. The more education and degrees I’ve received, the more I realize what I don’t know. Especially when it comes to God and the things he does. I can’t explain how many events happen or why. I can’t explain why little children get sick with cancer or why the Handler died. I can’t explain why some husbands cheat on wives and some wives show precious little affection to their husbands. I can’t explain exactly how God put the universe in order or why the sky is up and the ground is down. I just don’t know.

Speaking only for myself, I also can’t explain why, because Jesus died on the cross, my sins are removed, but they are. This one fact alone comforts me when I suffer from all the questions in my life and that’s why St. Paul’s words are music to my ears when he writes, “I decided to know nothing …except Christ and him crucified (2 Cor. 2:2).”

Hey, maybe I really do know something after all!

Public Affairs OfficerLCDR Karin BurzynskiMedia Division OfficerLTJG Jason ScarboroughMedia LCPOMCCM Jon McMillanMedia Production ChiefMCC Mike JonesEditorMC3 Jacob Milner Lead DesignerMC3 Nichelle Whitfield

Media DeptMC2 Michael ColeMC2 James MitchellMC2 Vladimir PotapenkoMC2 Mark SashegyiMC2 Adam Wolfe MC3 Ashley Berumen MC3 Jacquelyn ChildsMC3 Ian CotterMC3 Andrew JandikMC3 Shayne JohnsonMC3 Jacob MilnerMC3 Glenn SlaughterMC3 Thomas SiniffMC3 Nichelle WhitfieldMC3 Devin WrayMCSN Christopher BartlettMCSN Renee CandelarioMCSN Alexander Ventura IIMCSA Vanessa DavidMCSA Ryan Mayes

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions must be in by Friday, COB. Submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

Commanding OfficerCAPT Paul MongerExecutive OfficerCAPT Buzz DonnellyCommand Master ChiefCMDCM William Lloyd-Owen

BCA 1st Week of April

PFA1st & 2nd Week of April

Feb. 23, 20123Page

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Feb. 15 the next five Navy ships; three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS John Finn, USS Ralph Johnson, and USS Rafael Peralta, and two littoral combat ships (LCS), USS Sioux City and USS Omaha.

Mabus named the three destroyers after Navy and Marine Corps heroes whose actions occurred during different conflicts which spanned several decades, but were united in their uncommon valor. The littoral combat ships were named after two American communities.

John Finn, who retired as a lieutenant, received the Medal of Honor from Adm. Chester Nimitz for displaying "magnificent courage in the face of almost certain death" during the Japanese attack on military installations in Hawaii during Pearl Harbor. Marine Corps Pfc. Ralph Henry Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for shouting a warning to his fellow Marines and hurling himself on an explosive device, saving the life of one Marine and preventing the enemy from penetrating his sector of the patrol's perimeter during the Vietnam War. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Rafael Peralta was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for selflessly covering a grenade with his body to save his fellow Marines from the blast during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Finn, Johnson and Peralta have all been recognized with some of our nation's highest awards," said Mabus. "I want to ensure their service and sacrifice will be known by today's sailors and Marines and honored for several decades to come by a new generation of Americans and people from around the world who will come in contact with these ships."

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. All three ships will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare in keeping with the Navy's ability to execute the Department of Defense' defense strategy.

"The littoral combat ship is a major part of the future of our Navy," Mabus said, pointing out LCS is fast, agile, and operates with a smaller crew and can perform operations in both shallow and deep waters.

"I chose the name for our two new littoral combat ships after Midwestern cities from America's heartland, to honor the patriotic, hard-working citizens of Sioux City, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska, for their support of and contributions to the military."

Sioux City and Omaha will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly as combat needs demand. These mission packages are supported by special detachments that will deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine, undersea and surface warfare missions.

Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wis., will build the Freedom variant, USS Sioux City, which will be 378 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 57 feet, displace approximately 3,000 tons, and make speed in excess of 40 knots. Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., will build the Independence variant, USS Omaha, which will be 419 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 103 feet, displace approximately 3,000 tons, and make speed in excess of 40 knots.

For more news, visit www.navy.mil.

Navy names 5 new shipsTransition Benefits: Outplacement Firm ready to help Sailors Launch new careers

2012 military saves week campaign

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Navy's contract for job search and assistance to help Sailors separating by the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) is well underway, an official said Feb. 17.

"Navy has contracted Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc. (CGC), an outplacement service company, to personally coach and assist ERB separating Sailor's transition to the civilian workforce," said Capt. Kate Janac, Transition Assistance Program Manager. "The Sept. 1 separation date is approaching and ERB Sailors should immediately contact CGC via a toll-free number or email to begin their job placement process."

An employment outplacement service assists clients in making the transition to reemployment. Founded in the early 1960s, CGC has more than four decades of experience in the career transition industry.

The CGC team provides Sailors with individualized career assessment and professional resume writing, job search and preparation for interviews. The company assigns each Sailor a civilian coach who proactively works their case through each step of the process and also a prior military advisor to help in the transition.

"Our goal is to connect every ERB separating Sailor to this service. Command leadership needs to encourage and provide Sailors opportunity to enroll and move forward," said Janac. Those stationed overseas or deployed should also initiate contact and will receive support tailored to their unique situations.

"What really stands out is the high level of individual and professional service our Sailors will receive," said Janac. Sailors can engage with their coach to learn the skills needed to develop a personal marketing plan customized to their expertise and specific goals.

CGC began contacting ERB Sailors via email in December. CGC representatives have joined Navy Personnel Command's Fleet Engagement Team during its briefs in fleet concentration areas to facilitate enrollment.

ERB separating Sailors should contact CGC at their toll free number 1-800-971-4288 or email CGCUSNavy@challengergray.com. Sailors can then work with their coach to establish an account on the CGC website, found at https://www.icareermanager.com/login/challengerTops/login.aspx.

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) on military installations worldwide will be participating in the 2012 Military Saves Week Campaign, Feb. 19-26.

The campaign's purpose is to develop a military command climate that supports sensible financial behavior by focusing on financial literacy education, by supporting available savings products, and by encouraging servicemembers and their families to take action.

"We employ a variety of resources, as well as partnerships throughout military installations, to conduct monetary affairs including classes and individual counseling to make individuals aware of their financial situation," said Fred Davis, Personal Financial Management Program Analyst, Commander Naval Installation Command (CNIC). "We are exceptionally proud in last year's achievements, and we hope to repeat, and possibly do better,

during the 2012 campaign." Military Saves financial

fairs reached more than 60,000 individuals across all the military services during 2011. Seminars and classes reached nearly 40,000 people.

"One of the best things that Sailors can do to make sure they are financially successful is to take the classes that are offered during the week and throughout the year to learn how to go through their credit reports, how to invest in stocks and bonds, and how to determine their overall status," said Davis. "Also, financial counselors are always available to help guide those who may feel like they want a one-on-one experience. Our counselors are trained professionals, so I want Sailors to know that everything disclosed to one of them will remain completely confidential.

This year's goals for servicemembers and their families include increased household savings for short and long-term needs, and decreased

consumer debt. "With the current

downsizing of the military, we want to make sure all Sailors understand the importance of always being prepared and always having a backup plan; the financial component of that plan is very important," said Davis. "Ultimately, everybody has the opportunity to better their financial situation. Having been a counselor for many years and prior military, I've heard many stories. And we are here to support the needs of the servicemembers and their families."

"We want the best possible outcome to happen to each individual that comes into our offices," he continued. "All of our services are no-cost and we just want everyone to move forward in a positive fashion to secure their financial future."

For event information visit http://www.militarysaves.org., FFCSs local installation offices and www.navy.mil.

Feb. 23, 2012 4Page

Leading up to the kick off of the Navy Wide Advancement Exam, it’s important for Sailors to be able to know how the advancement system in the Navy works. One way to find out what was tested on and how this reflects on the Navy’s decision on whether or not to advance individual is to look at your profile sheet.

Found on www.navy.mil, this document lists everything the Navy looks at when advancing Sailors, from evaluation scores to award points.

“The E-4 and E-5 advancement is based on a 214 point system,” said Lt. j.g. Beau Blanchard USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) educational services officer. “Your Performance Evaluation counts as 42 percent of your final score, the exam counts as 37 percent, time in rate or Service In Paygrade counts for 7 percent, Pass Not Advance points count for 7 percent, Awards are 5 percent and college degrees count for 2 percent.”

NAVADMIN 301/07 explains the equations used to determine a Sailor’s final multiple score. The performance mark average, for instance, is computed by multiplying the Early Promote/Must Promote/Promotable with 80 then subtracting 230, with a maximum of 90 possible points.

“People tend to confuse their trait average from their eval with what’s calculated for their final multiple,” said Blanchard. “EP/MP/P are what gives you the 4, 3.8 and 3.6 respectfully. Everything else on the eval is for personal knowledge.”

According to Blanchard, Sailors need to know that in order to get advanced they need to be well rounded, but if they are week in some areas they can compensate by doing well in others.

“The eval has the strongest affect on your final multiple,” said Blanchard. “If your eval is poor though, and you know it counts for 42 percent, you can excel on your exam and have a lot of time in rate, which combined equate to 44 percent of your final multiple score. That should help get you closer to advancing.”

Ways to help boost your final multiple include having a lot of time in pay grade, earning Flag

Letters of Commendation or any awards Navy Achievement medal and above, or

earning a college degree. Blanchard emphasized that studying

the breakdown of how an individual performed on the test should not

define what they study leading up to the exam.

“The breakdown you see at the bottom of

your profile sheet is an explanation of how you

did on that test in those categories,” said Blanchard.

“That doesn’t necessarily tell you which questions or categories or going to

be on the next test. Instead you should read that as, I need to study everything in my bibliographies and

emphasize in the areas I struggled in.”For more information on how to read your profile sheet,

bibliographies or for any information on the NWAE process contact Blanchard at ESO@cvn68.navy.mil or in the ESO classroom.

Understanding profile sheets before examsStory by MC3 (SW) Robert Winn

Feb. 23, 20125Page

BREMERTON, Wash. (Feb. 16, 2012) – Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Kristen Bishop serves a plate to Sailors aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with February birthdays. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Winn/Released)

BREMERTON, Wash. (Feb. 16, 2012) – Food Service Attendants serve plates of food to Sailors aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with February birthdays. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Winn/Released)

Servingup

Birthday Dishes

Feb. 23, 2012 6Page

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is pushing the importance of correctly setting material condition Zebra. Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier are sharpening their skills in this damage control area as the ship prepares to return to sea.

“Quickly, safely and -- most importantly – properly, setting material condition Zebra is crucial to all aspects of effective damage control,” said Nimitz’ Executive officer Capt. Michael Donnelly. “Doing this right will not only save our ship – it will save lives.”

Zebra includes closing all water-tight doors, hatches and fixtures and is only set around a causality to compartmentalize it, said Chief Warrant Officer Mark Donaldson, Nimitz’ fire marshal.

“Zebra is the maximum protection for the ship against casualties and damage,” he said. “If we see an incoming threat, we’ll set Zebra to minimize potential damage.”

Donaldson explains that the only time all hands should be involved in setting Zebra is when the ship is at General Quarters Zebra.

“Typically, material condition Yoke is set throughout the ship,” he said. “Which means all material condition X-Ray and Yoke fittings are secured and dogged down, so setting Zebra should, ideally, be a quick process. Efficiency in setting Zebra is important because a threat could be coming in quickly and we want the ship to be ready as fast as possible.”

Leading up to Nimitz’ first post-Docked Planned Incremental Availability underway, modified Zebra has been set throughout the ship and the ship is holding Zebra-setting General Quarters drills. These are done to train Sailors on conditions they may encounter while deployed and to locate any deficiencies on fittings.

“We set MOD Zebra underway any time the ship is at an increased risk for damage or casualties,” said Donaldson. “We’ll set it for transiting straits or sea & anchor details. Modified Zebra is when we only set it on the second decks and below, the part of the ship that’s most vulnerable.”

“Part of setting MOD Zebra now is for the setters to locate and report any discrepancies to Damage Control Central so that the Damage Control Petty Officers and Damage Control Chief Petty Officers can fix them,” he said. “We’ve been relying heavily on our DCPOs to keep us safe by maintaining all of these fittings.”

Sailors should immediately notify their chain of command if they are unable to set Zebra fittings.

Setting Zebra: protecting ship, Sailors from casualites

Story by MC3 (SW) Robert Winn

Feb. 23, 20127Page

Former Marine Corps Lt. Col. Ray Swalley speaks during officers training aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Feb. 16. Swalley served in World War II as a fighter pilot where he shot down three enemy pilots and assisted shooting down two more. He also took part of fire fighting efforts aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) after it was hit by a 550-pound bomb by a Japanese Kamikaze. U.S. Navy Photo by MCSN Alexander Ventura II.

Sharing history

Feb. 23, 2012 8Page

blemish that could be a mole, sore, cut, wart, birthmark or acne near his nose or lip. He was last seen wearing a black or navy blue watch cap with hair sticking out around the bottom of the cap in the 1300 block of High Avenue in Bremerton, Wash., Feb. 3, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Based on initial reports, all three victims were alone walking on the sidewalk in areas with high or relatively high vehicular and foot traffic. The attacks seem to have been unprovoked and it appeared the victims were followed prior to the attack. It also appears the victims were attacked from behind.

On May 3, 2011, at approximately 9:30 p.m., an unknown assailant murdered Sara Burke on the 800 block of Warren Avenue here.

On June 20, 2011, at approximately 3:07 p.m., an unknown assailant attacked a male subject on Burwell Street in the area of High Avenue here.

On February 3, 2012, between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., an unknown assailant murdered Melody Brannon in the 1300 block of High Avenue here.

The locations of the attacks are areas often frequented by Sailors – all within walking distance of the base. Because of this proximity, Special Agent Joshua Jefferson, assigned to Naval Criminal Investigative Service at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton,

advises all Sailors to be extra vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity they see.

“I suggest everyone to travel in pairs when they are out in town,” said Jefferson. “We need to make sure we are taking care of each other. Most of all, make sure you are aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas.”

Jefferson added, if the assailant is spotted, avoid a physical altercation.

“You should always protect yourself, but you shouldn’t go out and try to apprehend the suspect yourself,” said Jefferson. “You should never go out there and try to play hero. If you see the individual, try your best to notify officials as discretely as possible and get the best description you can of him for officials. Take note of how tall he is, what he’s wearing, what he‘s doing and what direction he’s going. If he is getting into a car make sure you get the license plate number and the make and model of the vehicle.”

Chief Craig Rogers, of the Bremerton Police Department, said while out in town to travel light and avoid wearing anything that can obstruct your hearing.

“When walking, you should appear confident and alert,” said Rogers. “You should keep your hands free and not overload yourself with packages and other items. People should also avoid wearing headphones while walking, as they can be

distracting and lessen your ability to notice suspicious behavior or potential threats.”

Bremerton Police Department is currently working with the FBI, FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, the Kitsap County Sherriff’s Office and the Port Orchard Police Department to apprehend the assailant.

For any information regarding the three cases or the assailant contact Bremerton Police Department’s tip line at (360) 473-5481.

(Information from a Bremerton Police Department press release was used in this article.)

Contiuned from page 1

Suspect: Police, FBI search for suspect tied to local stabbings

A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the murders of

Sara Burke or Melody Brannon.

The Bremerton police tip line is 360-473-5481.

Also, a bank account has been established to help the family of

Melody Brannon cover the cost of her affairs. The account is at Navy

Federal Credit Union under the name "Melody Brannon Memorial Fund."

Reward

Everett to Bremerton*RX Only* Friday, 24 Februry @ 7p.m.

Saturday, 25 February @ 12p.m. & 7p.m.Sunday, 26 February @12p.m. & 7p.m

Bus TransporTaTion plan

Each department needs to provide a list of names to CMC. If your name isn't on the list, you don't ride the bus!

*Dates and times subject to change.

Everett

Bremerton

Feb. 23, 20129Page

Mass casualty drill tests Sailors' response knowledge

(Above) – Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) prepare to lift a casualty during a mass casualty drill. Nimitz is wrapping up its year-long Docking Planned Incremental Availability period. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Ventura II.

(Left) -- Sailors participate in a medical mass casualty drill on the mess decks of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Feb. 22. Nimitz is wrapping up its year-long docked planned incremental availability period. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Ryan Mayes.

Feb. 23, 2012 10Page

An ImAge

for the Ages

The flag was up. Old Glory, small as she seemed, was flapping proudly in the Pacific

breeze atop Mt. Suribachi, the ancient volcano on the tiny island of Iwo Jima, claimed after four days of bloody fighting in February 1945.

“The flag’s already up,” growled Leatherneck Magazine Photographer Sgt. Lou Lowery as he staggered down the rugged slope past Associated Press Photographer Joe Rosenthal and Marine Photographers Pfc. Bob Campbell and Staff Sgt. Bill Genaust.

At approximately 10:30 a.m.,

Feb. 23, Marines from Easy Co., 2/28 raised the American flag over Mt. Suribachi, signaling the capture of the strategic position.

“The view’s nice up there,” Lowery added. “You should go check it out.”

Shrugging off the missed photo-op, Rosenthal continued the climb with Genaust and Campbell – the view might be worth it.

It was then that Rosenthal noticed a slight-built New Hampshire Marine named Rene Gagnon scurrying up the cliffs with a large flag tucked under his arm. He had been dispatched to the summit with fresh batteries for the radioman, and to help replace the first flag with a much larger one – one that could be seen across the entire island.

Although he missed the first flag-raising, Rosenthal instinctively prepared his cumbersome Speed Graphic camera in the off-chance he might get the second. “I saw a small group of Marines assembling a pole on the ground,” Rosenthal remembered in a recent documentary. “I said, ‘What are you doing, fellas,’ and one of them responded, ‘We’re getting ready to put up this larger flag. The Colonel down below wants it up. He also wants to make damn sure he gets that first flag back.’”

Barely standing over five feet tall, Rosenthal built a small pile of rocks capped with a sandbag to give him a better view. Passing in front, Genaust asked, “Am I in your way, Joe?” “Nah,” Rosenthal replied, making final adjustments with the Speed Graphic’s

viewfinder. “Wait! There it goes!”Swinging the camera to his face, Rosenthal clicked the shutter.

He wasn’t sure what he got, if anything at all.With the larger flag planted firmly in place, Rosenthal gathered

the jubilant Marines for a group photo. He hurried back to his command ship and dutifully wrote out the captions for the images he shot that day.

What he captured in 1/400th of a second proved an enormous sensation to the public back home, and made instant celebrities out of Sgt. Mike Strank, Cpl. Harlon Block, Cpl. Rene Gagnon, Cpl. Ira Hayes, Pfc. Franklin Sousley and Navy Pharmacist’s Mate John Bradley.

Of the six flag-raisers, only Bradley, Hayes and Gagnon would return home alive.

Sensing the photo’s mass appeal, President Franklin Roosevelt immediately printed millions of posters and plastered cities across the country with the image, kicking off the Seventh War Bond Tour. Led by reluctant celebrities Bradley, Hayes and Gagnon, the drive generated approximately $24 billion – more than any other.

A mere 72 hours after seeing the Rosenthal photo for the first time, an ambitious sculptor named Felix DeWeldon completed a clay replica of the flag raising.

Congress was besieged with letters from an adoring public calling for a national monument of the photo they loved. The

Editor’s note: 67 years ago today Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the most famous image of World War II, and arguably, military history. It was four days into what would prove to be one of the costliest and bloodiest campaigns of Chester Nimitz’ retaking of the Pacific: the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Feb. 23, 201211Page

200 Years Ago

Learn moreby visitinghttp://ourflagwasstillthere.org

"The War of 1812 really signified our rebirth as a Navy and as a nation. A lot of what we do, a lot of what

we're about really started from the War of 1812 - a lot of our traditions, and our heritage.“

– Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert

Beginning in April 2012 and continuing through 2015, the U.S. Navy, MarineCorps, Coast Guard and partners will commemorate the Bicentennial of theWar of 1812 and The Star Spangled Banner. Since winning our independencein 1776, the United States has been a maritime nation, relying onunobstructed access and free use of the world’s oceans which are essentialto our national security and prosperity. It is those reasons – access and freeuse – the United States went to war in 1812 to defend, and that is what theU.S. Navy has been protecting ever since.

sheer size of the sculpture reflected the scope of the project itself: it would be the largest bronze statue of any kind - the largest in the world, standing 78 feet tall.

Survivors John Bradley, Rene Gagnon and Ira Hayes modeled for DeWeldon as he created each 32-foot tall figure. Once cast in bronze, each section was shipped to Washington, D.C. where workers reassembled the massive sculpture atop a large granite base at Arlington, Va.

Inscribed on the base were the locations of major U.S. Marine Corps battles since the Revolutionary War and Adm. Chester W. Nimitz’s summary of the Battle of Iwo Jima: “Uncommon Valor Was a Common Virtue.”

President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially dedicated the United States Marine Corps Memorial Nov. 10, 1954 with Bradley, Gagnon, and Hayes in attendance. It would be the last time the three survivors would be photographed together.

Of all the flag-raisers, only Bradley lived to old age. Hayes, battling severe depression and alcoholism, would die from exposure

almost 10 years to the day after he helped raise the flag. Gagnon, struggling hard to capitalize on his celebrity, died of a heart attack in 1979 at the age of 54. Bradley, who spoke only once of the event, died at the age of 70 on Jan. 11, 1994.

The photo, reproduced millions of times since it first appeared, garnered Rosenthal the Pulitzer Prize.

Skepticism over the picture’s authenticity gnawed at him over the years, as Rosenthal told and retold the story of the second flag-raising. Genaust’s motion picture footage of the event confirms Rosenthal’s account.

“I feel a gratification that the use of the picture, in general, has been very good,” he explained. “It happened to be me. It might have been any photographer, or perhaps it might never have been taken at all. But it was me, and I stand for any photographer who would have been in a position to get such a photo.”

Rosenthal died at the age of 94 on Aug. 20, 2006.

Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal on Iwo Jima Feb. 1945.

Feb. 23, 2012 12Page

"Tell Nimitz to get the hell to Pearl and stay there until the war is won." -President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Editor’s Note: The following is the second of a two-part series about the life of Fleet Adm. Ches-ter Nimitz

As the Japanese juggernault raged across the Pacific, Nimitz assessed what remained of his nearly-

destroyed Pacific Fleet. The battleships, many of which absorbed the blow delivered at Pearl Harbor, would not be the primary means by which the U.S. would reclaim the territories Japan was conquering, now at an alarming rate.

In a move historians would later note as one of the many aspects of his leadership genius, Nimitz did not replace the Fleet’s current staff – notably the Intelligence officers. The key to deciphering the Japanese battle plan, they discovered, lay in the hours of intercepted code they were receiving. In a bold move that countered advice he was receiving from Washington, Nimitz trusted his codebreakers and set the stage for the greatest military reconquest in history.

With the engagement of the Japanese at Coral Sea in May 1942, and the crippling defeat of the empire’s naval forces one month later at Midway, Nimitz had proven that the aircraft carriers, not the battleships, would continue the successful offensive across the Pacific.

Commanding HumilityIf ever there was an opposite to the spotlight-

shunning way in which Nimitz commanded action, Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur was it. Driven out of the Philippines at the outset of the war, MacArthur took great care to ensure the cameras were rolling when he triumphantly returned in late 1944. Nimitz, on the other hand, quietly deferred any media attention.

President Roosevelt appointed Nimitz to

the rank of Fleet Admiral Dec. 15, 1944 – one day after Congress approved the creation of the five-star rank.

By year’s end, plans were underway to bring the fight to mainland Japan. A key launch point in the form of two and a half runways on an eight-square mile island south of Tokyo would have to be taken for success to be assured. The costs would be heavy. On February 19, 1945 following three days of heavy bombardment from the largest armada assembled, U.S. Marines from the 3rd, 4th and 5th Divisions stormed ashore. Thirty-six days later, the island was declared secured. One of the hardest aspects of leadership, Nimitz would say, was to have to knowingly send men to their deaths. Nearly 7,000 American and 20,000 Japanese lives were lost. The campaign would go down as one of the bloodiest in Marine Corps history. Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded prompting Nimitz to declare, “Among those who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

Long range bombing runs over mainland Japan began to dismantle the empire’s war effort. The atomic deliveries from the island of Tinian in August 1945 brought the war to an end. It was Nimitz, not MacArthur, who formally accepted the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri (BB 63) in Tokyo Bay September 2, 1945.

October 5, 1945 was declared “Nimitz Day” in Washington, D.C. where thousands turned out to give him a hero’s welcome.

In December 1945 Nimitz became Chief of Naval Operations and served until December 1947. From 1949 to 1952 he served at the United Nations before retiring to the San Francisco area. Nimitz died at his home on Yerba Buena Island, California, on 20 February 1966.