“Give Me Fifty Marines Not Afraid to Die” by (the late) John Keith Wells
Show Notes with Links:
My first interview of 2025 is with Wes Wells, son of (the late) author John Keith Wells, US Marine Corps. Wes shares his father’s life and stunning story.
I read from the Prologue to give readers a sense for what is to come in this first-person account of the atmosphere just before battle:
“Dim outlines began taking shape near the base of Mount Suribachi. I threw the white wool Japanese Navy blanket off my shoulders and laid my Tommy gun on top of it. The captured warm blanket that our platoon runner had literally risked his life for would be of no use in today’s battle; it would be left behind. Nothing, I mean absolutely nothing, had a meaning. Not home, not mother, not wife, not children, not girlfriend, not hometown, not cold, hot, or hungry-nothing mattered except today’s forthcoming battle, and it would commence very soon.”
- His description of basic training and getting gear thrown at him…he uses figurative language his English teacher would have rewarded!
- Why did he write this stunning history? Wes discusses his father’s goal for the book.
- I mention the “Short arm” inspection, which my dad told me about years ago! The author doesn’t hold back any details.
- Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles in WW2 Marine Corps history, and Wells has graphic depictions of battle. He was 23 years old.
- I ask about his father’s embedded shrapnel and other wounds, and if they influenced him in any way.
- Wes talks about the iconic “Flag raising” photo and surrounding controversy.
- Wes describes his father as having tremendous confidence and an honorable bearing that drew people to him. His was a great storyteller. I ask if he was “squeaky clean,” and Wes reads a humorous passage about an incident at a USO show!
Description by Wes Wells of photo above: “Me and Jimmy Chappell… Interesting story. He served in the Marines and became a school art teacher. Many years ago dad would go to Midland, Tx to do business and mom would go to craft shows. She ran across an artist that had that pic he drew of the flag raising. Did you notice it only had 48 stars????? Jimmy told me this story after dad died. Mom made the comment that her husband commanded that platoon. She did not buy the pic, but he always remembered her. When dad passed he contacted me and told me this story. He came out to dads funeral where the ex-commandant of the Marine Corp and Governor Perry performed the service. Dad got a a Marine Corp Fly-over and a 21 gun salute. His motorcade was over a mile and surrounded by the Patriot Guard Motorcycle group. In the picture frame, there is a picture of the funeral and 14 shell casings. Jimmy went after everyone left with a metal detector and found all the 14 casings. The other 7 are with the flag. He gave that picture to me and the family to have… Great guy, Great Patriot.”
- The book includes historic photos, one with Pvt Robeson, who is shirtless, with Charles Lindberg . . . identical photos taken 32 years apart.
- John Keith Wells died days short of his 94th bday. We talk about people from “The Greatest Generation” and why we think they lived such long lives.
- I ask Wes what he will remember most about his father.
- To learn more about John Keith Wells and the battle of Iwo Jima, buy his book HERE and consider purchasing the audio book when it comes out soon.
- I thank Wes for sharing his father’s life and story.
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Laurel Stuff:
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