DUMFRIES, Va. — A 100 year-old World War II USMC veteran (tank driver) reunited with the tank that carried him through the Battle of Iwo Jima, rekindling his memory of one of the fiercest fights in Marine Corps history.
Corporal Leighton Willhite, a Montezuma, Ind native was awarded a Bronze Star for valor during the battle; he and his CO held off a Japanese counter attack on a fellow tank, the LT had a Thompson submachine gun, Willhite was only armed with a Colt 1911 handgun.
Willhite would later study at then Indiana State Teachers College; today, he resides at the Indiana Veterans Home.
https://www.stripes.com/history/2025-08-17/iwo-jima-marine-reunites-tank-18773093.html
https://www.marines.mil/News/News-D...ne-reunites-with-sherman-tank-after-80-years/
https://www.marforpac.marines.mil/Photos/igphoto/2003791882/
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/washi...eran-reunited-with-tank-he-drove-in-iwo-jima/
His wedding announcement
Corporal Leighton Willhite, a Montezuma, Ind native was awarded a Bronze Star for valor during the battle; he and his CO held off a Japanese counter attack on a fellow tank, the LT had a Thompson submachine gun, Willhite was only armed with a Colt 1911 handgun.
Willhite would later study at then Indiana State Teachers College; today, he resides at the Indiana Veterans Home.
https://www.stripes.com/history/2025-08-17/iwo-jima-marine-reunites-tank-18773093.html
https://www.marines.mil/News/News-D...ne-reunites-with-sherman-tank-after-80-years/
https://www.marforpac.marines.mil/Photos/igphoto/2003791882/
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/washi...eran-reunited-with-tank-he-drove-in-iwo-jima/
His wedding announcement
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