Retraction

Regarding command changes on Iwo Jima:

From the 1/24 AAR for Iwo Jima, 26 Feb. 1944

Major STEWART, commanding officer, A Company, was hit by-an enemy rifle bullet, and died shortly thereafter, First Lieutenant Roy I. Wood took command of A Company.

(William K. Stewart, Florence, South Carolina, Bronze Star & Purple Heart)

It is also noted on the same date that Fred Stott, by now a Captain, was shifted to command of C/1/24; their commander Major Esterline was transferred to 3/24.


1 March 1944

Before noon the company commander, Captain STOTT, was wounded and evacuated. At this time it was necessary to use smoke fired by artillery to evacuate wounded from the front lines. Captain SWOYER took command of C Company, reorganized, and an attack was coordinated for 1300....

At 1302, Captain SWOYER was hit by an enemy rifle bullet, and was evacuated.


Major Schechter regained command of the consolidated A Company on March 9, after it combined with the decimated C Company.


Lt. Roy Wood was back in command March 18, 1945, as Major Schechter reverted to Battalion staff; the battalion was reorganized back into a three company unit. This was the final day of their involvement on Iwo Jima.


So Captain Hillebrand was a mistake... but we did find Captain Swoyer.

Can't wait for the Red Book scans.