Interview with Joe Scannell Simms, September 22nd, 1988

Partial Transcript: Hello! Good morning. Is this Joe Simms?

Synopsis: Colonel Kelly calls Joe Scannell Simms at his home. Joe Simms served with Company D, 2nd Battalion 27th Regiment 5th Marine Division at Iwo Jima.

Keywords: 27th Regiment;2nd Battalion;5th Marine Division;Browning Automatic Rifle;Company D;Iwo Jima(Japan)

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Joe, I'd like to begin as you approach Iwo Jima.

Synopsis: Joe Simms describes a practice landing in Maui and approaching Iwo Jima for the invasion.

Keywords: air landings;Invasions;Iwo Jima(Japan);Maui (Hawaii.)

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: As you were running up there, the battle noises itself, how much are you hearing here?

Synopsis: He describes combat against the Japanese after landing at Iwo Jima.

Keywords: Combat;Iwo Jima (Japan)

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: About that time we were moving on across the island.

Synopsis: He continues to talk about moving across the island of Iwo Jima and combat with the enemy. He also talks about losing a fellow soldier.

Keywords: Combat;Death;Iwo Jima(Japan);Japanese Troops

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Go head and turn north and start fighting.

Synopsis: He recalls what took place as the soldiers tried to move north of Iwo Jima, losing a fellow soldier and developing mental toughness during wartime.

Keywords: Death;Iwo Jima(Japan);mental stability

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: I want to kind of pursue this thing just a little bit.

Synopsis: He talks about guarding the line in complete darkness and trying to avoid being seen by the Japanese.

Keywords: Iwo Jima (Japan);Japanese Troops

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Let's kind of get to leading up to that injury.

Synopsis: He recalls the events leading up to his injury. At that time they were trying to take over the Japanese airports and destroy their radar stations.

Keywords: D-Day;Iwo Jima (Japan);Japanese Airports;War Injuries

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: We were talking about your wound.

Synopsis: He talks about the wound he received during combat and its being treated.

Keywords: Aid Stations;Iwo Jima (Japan);Medications;War Injuries

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Some place along the line they put us in a truck.

Synopsis: He recalls being hospitalized after being wounded and being evacuated from the island.

Keywords: Hospitals;Iwo Jima (Japan);Medications;war injuries

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Tell me about the instance when you got hit in your helmet there.

Synopsis: He talks about a soldier, Michael Strank, who died after several days of raising the flag, and about combat.

Keywords: Combat;Iwo Jima (Japan);Michael Strank;Mt. Suribachi;Shootings

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Now, you were going to tell me about the most frightening experience. Tell me about that.

Synopsis: Simms recalls his most frightening experience while fighting in Iwo Jima, and some of the horrific ways fellow soldiers died.

Keywords: Iwo Jima (Japan);Shootings

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Give me your names of your parents.

Synopsis: He gives his family history and educational background. They also discuss veteran's benefits and another soldier named Chuck Bryan. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Children;Education;Family Members--Parents;Government Services;Higher Education;Louisville(Ky.);Siblings;University of Kentucky;Veteran pensions

Subjects: