Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing John L. Cockburn Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: 13th Marines, 5th Marine Division, USS Maryland
- Location of Service: Kansas City, Missouri; San Diego, California; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands); Iwo Jima; Japan
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/11339
John Cockburn had been a Marine for nearly eight months on December 7, 1941, when he was stationed on the USS Maryland in Pearl Harbor. His most memorable experience in the war came as part of an artillery company that landed on Iwo Jima on its D-Day, February 19, 1945, when the Marines suffered over 6,000 casualties. Cockburn took some shrapnel in his arm but only missed a few days of action; he saw the raising of the flag on Mt. Surabachi from the deck of a ship while recuperating.
Interview / Recording
Share
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PlayGoing in on the first day of the invasion at Iwo Jima; landing on the wrong beach; supporting the 28th Marines, who were trying to take Mount Surabachi; wounded and missing the raising of the flag. 00:31:10.0 - 00:38:52.8
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PlayThe awful conditions on Iwo Jima; his worst night on the island; at a cemetery trying to identify bodies; no regrets about being in the battle 00:42:22.2 - 00:45:40.4
About this Item
Title
- John L. Cockburn Collection
Names
- Babcock, Robert O.
- Swanson, Gary W.
- Cockburn, John L.
- Americans Remembered, Inc.
Home State
- Kansas
Headings
- - Cockburn, John L.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Form
- DVD
Extent
- 1 item
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: 13th Marines, 5th Marine Division, USS Maryland
- Location of Service: Kansas City, Missouri; San Diego, California; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands); Iwo Jima; Japan
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1944-1947
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-12-03; 1999-12-31)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/11339
Cite as
- John L. Cockburn Collection (AFC/2001/001/11339), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Iwo Jima
- Japan
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- San Diego, California
- Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands)