A.G. Russell Knives

February 19, 1945

I will never forget the newsreel showing the planting of the flag on Mt. Suribachi. The movie theatre audience stood up and cheered. I also remember the physical and emotional reaction to the flag passing in a parade. It was the same kind of thing, except we always stood quietly with right hands over our heart for the flag passing by. I can still feel my hair lifting as I see the flag, even though every car dealer in our area seems to use it for a sign.

The Japanese planned to make the taking of Iwo Jima, a part of Japan only 650 miles from Tokyo, so expensive to the Americans that we would not try to take the main islands. They dug 1,500 rooms into the rock of the island and connected them with 16 miles of tunnels. The plan was for each soldier and officer to kill at least 10 of the Americans before allowing themselves to be killed. The Japanese fought entirely underground and managed to inflict huge casualties on the invading Americans. The Americans lost almost 7,000 KIA and over twice that in wounded. The Japanese suffered over 25,000 killed, wounded and captured. The American flag was raised after 4 days and the fighting went on for another 32 days, killing several of those who raised that flag.

This Commemorative knife is based on the standard Ka-Bar USMC knife issued to every one of the 110,000 Marines who spent 40 days on the 880 ships from Hawaii to Iwo. (Think of their condition after 40 days in crowded troop ships.) The black blade is marked with an image of the flag raising and "1945-2005 Honoring 60 years/Iwo Jima/Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue".

Stacked leather handle with a 7" blackened blade of 1095, steel guard and butt. Leather sheath. Suggested retail $86.86.

Ka-Bar® Iwo Jima Commemorative U.S.M.C.

This Commemorative knife is based on the standard Ka-Bar USMC knife issued to every one of the 110,000 Marines who spent 40 days on the 880 ships from Hawaii to Iwo. (Think of their condition after 40 days in crowded troop ships.) The black blade is marked with an image of the flag raising and "1945-2005 Honoring 60 years/Iwo Jima/Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue".

Stacked leather handle with a 7" blackened blade of 1095, steel guard and butt. Leather sheath. Suggested retail $86.86.

Ka-Bar® Iwo Jima Commemorative - NAVY