Three Long Island veterans remembered their epic fight for Iwo Jima 62 years ago Monday.
A vicious 36-day battle, Iwo Jima yielded an American victory and one of the 20th century's most famous patriotic images. Angelo Ciotta, Lawrence Pinto and Walt Oelerich, all Marines, are three of about 30 living World War II veterans on Long Island who fought the Japanese at Iwo Jima. They were honored at the American Air Power Museum at Republic Airport.
The veterans, now all in their 80s, tell a story of hardship and fear, wrapped around the overwhelming spirit and goal of bringing home a victory. Approximately 7,000 Americans and 21,000 Japanese died in battle for Iwo Jima.
To view interviews with the Long Island Iwo Jima veterans, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.