Historic 2011 interview conducted on Iwo Jima of a Company Commander of that epic battle, overlaid with official USMC Iwo Jima combat footage. Captain (later Lieutenant General) F. Lawrence Snowden, USMC (ret) General Snowden was interviewed and reflected on the battle, heroism and sacrifice, and gives his perspective and analysis dedication of our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the morale of our troops. Here is his bio: Lieutenant General Lawrence F. Snowden retired from the Marine Corps after more than 37 years of service, the last years of which he served as Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps. General Snowden was born April 14, 1921, in Charlottesville, Va., graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS degree in Commerce in 1942 and holds a masters degree in Personnel Administration from Northwestern University (1950). Enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve in February 1942, he was called to active duty in May 1942. Upon completion of the Officer Candidate Course Marine Corps School Quantico, Virginia, he was commissioned a Marine Second Lieutenant on July 18, 1942. Assigned to Camp Lejeune, NC, he served initially with the 23d Marines, 3d Marine Division. This regiment later became the nucleus of the 4th Division. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in March 1943 and Captain in October 1944. From February 1944 until March 1945 he saw combat as a Company Commander with the 23d Marines, in the capture of Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands, the capture of Saipan, Tinian and the assault on Iwo Jima. In May 1945 he joined the 3d Marine Division on Guam serving with the 3d Marines and 9th Marines respectively until December 1945. From August 1950 to March 1953 he served as a member of the Testing and Evaluation Unit at Quantico. Later he was Secretary for the Tactics and Techniques Board and Joint Landing Force Board, Landing Force Development Center. He was promoted to major in January 1951. Ordered to Korea in April 1953, he was assigned to the 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division as Regimental S4, and alter as Executive Officer, 1st Battalion. In January 1954 he became Assistant G-4 of the Division, serving in this capacity until April 1954. For his service in Korea he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V". He joined the 1st Marine Division as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines in August 1962 and later commanded Battalion Landing Team 3/1 aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) for deployment to the Caribbean during the Cuban crisis in Oct. 1962. Ordered to Vietnam in August 1966 he saw duty as a Commanding Officer, 7th Marines and as Operations Officer, III Marine Amphibious Force. He was awarded Gold Stars in lieu of a second and third Legion of Merit for his service in Vietnam. In June 1972 he was ordered to Tokyo where he served for three years as Chief of Staff, U.S. Forces, Japan. For his contributions to Japan's security interests, he was awarded the Second Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan. General Snowden assumed the assignment of Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps on May 21, 1977 and served in that capacity until his retirement on May 31, 1979. For his service at HQMC he was awarded a second Distinguished Service Medal. His decorations and medals include: the Distinguished Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and four Gold Stars in lieu of second through fifth awards; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Purple Heart with one Gold Star in lieu of a second award; Combat Action Ribbon; three Vietnamese decorations; one Japanese decoration; three unit awards plus eleven campaign and service medals. Footage Courtesy: DVIDS U.S. Department of Defense File #: DOD_100772696 Link to Video: http://www.dvidshub.net/video/285204/marines-assault-iwo-jima#.UqecKJ0o7IU (Please note public domain logo bottom of page) Privacy and Copyright: http://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright#.UqebcJ0o7IU (Please note: media on the site is produced by U.S. DoD or Federal Agency and is in the public domain unless otherwise indicated Public Domain Interview Courtesy: DVIDS U.S. Department of Defense File #: DOD_100000136 Link to interview: http://www.dvidshub.net/video/22040/lt-gen-larry-snowden#.UqebLp0o7IU (Please note public domain logo bottom of page) Privacy and Copyright: http://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright#.UqebcJ0o7IU (Please note: media on the site is produced by U.S. DoD or Federal Agency and is in the public domain unless otherwise indicated Public Domain Musical Score: U.S. Marine Band Washington, D.C. Link to U.S. Marine Band: http://www.marineband.marines.mil/ Song: Apotheosis, U.S. Marine Corps Hymn Link to musical score http://www.marineband.marines.mil/AudioResources/CeremonialMusic.aspx Public Domain