Marine recalls battle of Iwo Jima

By Matthew Bernat
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE – Iwo Jima: No other Pacific island saw more combat in World War II. No other island was as heavily bombarded. The Marines who fought there turned the tide of war for the U.S.
But victory came at a price as 6,812 American soldiers lost their lives there.
Offering a first hand account of the battle was a local Marine veteran who fought there. In honor of Memorial Day he was invited to speak at last week’s Sturbridge Historical Society meeting.
“Joe was there. Joe has a story to tell,” said society President Robert Briere as he introduced Joseph Murray, of Brookfield.
“Little did I realize when I was on Iwo I would be here 65 years hence, talking to all of you,” Murray said.
Murray was 18 years old when he spent 36 days on that island in the late winter of 1945. Prompted by audience member questions, he shared his memories of his time there.
At first, the 83-year-old Murray was soft spoken, but his voice grew strong as he began to recall the battle and his role there.

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