Colorado Marine veteran who battled on Iwo Jima celebrates 99th birthday

LOVELAND, Colo. (KDVR) — Ask Jack Thurman how old he is, he won’t shy away from the answer.

“Ninety-nine. That’s getting up there, isn’t it? That’s really something,” Thurman joked.

If you do the math, that means he was just a teenager when he witnessed — and took part in — a truly historic moment nearly 80 years ago on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima during World War II. He was there when the famous flag was raised atop Mt. Suribachi. He was part of the so-called “Gung Ho Gang,” one of 17 men photographed by Associated Press photographer Joseph Rosenthal on Feb. 23, 1945, the same day and time the most iconic photo of the war was taken.

“That battle was unbelievable,” Thurman said.

It was the end of February 1945. The Marines were fighting their bloodiest battle ever on the tiny Pacific island. A group of them made it to the top of Mount Suribachi to hoist that flag. They did it a couple of times that day with different flags, but he was right there when the most iconic image in Marine Corps history. It won a Pulitzer Prize, and Thurman saw it all.

“It’s just a big thrill,” he told FOX31.

In the famed “Gung Ho Gang” photo, he’s pictured standing directly behind Ira Hayes, one of the six men immortalized in the famous Associated Press photo. It’s one of the more positive memories of a 36-day battle that had him stepping over the bodies of dead Japanese soldiers on the beach and left him wounded.

“You know, because I got hit right here,” Thurman said, pointing to his left cheek.

He still thinks about the hell on earth he experienced in World War II, and got to experience the island again a few years ago on a program with a Denver-based charity called The Greatest Generations Foundation. They returned him and other World War II veterans to those Pacific islands where they fought.

After the war, he became an architect, moved to Boulder and raised a family, a family that honored him late last month on his 99th birthday. Friends, family, dignitaries, Loveland Police officers and Larimer County sheriff’s deputies showed up at his home to celebrate the occasion.

We’re honoring Thurman by naming him our FOX31 Serving Those Who Serve Hero of the Month for October 2024, for his service in World War II. Along with a plaque, he gets a $500 Visa gift card from our Serving Those Who Serve sponsored at Ford and the Leo Hill Charitable Trust.

To nominate a veteran or active duty service member for our Hero of the Month honors, visit the nomination page.

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