 |
Thomas M. Black was born November 11, 1925 in Davenport, Iowa. He was the middle child of nine and the third of six boys. The family relocated to Rye in 1928. He was a communicant of the Church of the Resurrection and had graduated from Resurrection School and Rye High School class of 1943. The family lived at 369 Midland Ave. He enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. See Expanded Biography Below
Service Time: Thomas enlisted in the U. S. Marines in July, 1943. He received training with the 28th Replacement Draft which was assigned to the Third Marine Division on Guam in January, 1945. The 28th Replacement Draft, 3rd Marine Division, was formed at Camp Pendleton in Nov. 44 and sailed on the USS Rochambeau from San Diego on 11/12/44 to San Francisco to form a convoy and left on 11/16 arriving at Pearl Harbor 11/23 Thanksgiving Day. They left there on 11/26 and arrived Eniwetok Island 12/4/44. Sailed for Guam on 12/23, and arrived 12/27 and assigned to the 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. They had a tent camp near the village of Yona, and spent the next 6 1/2 weeks there training for Iwo Jima but didnt know that ..jpg)
The replacements practiced unloading landing craft, hiking, etc, and on 2/8/45, Thomas and fellow Marines hiked with full packs and rifles across Guam, about 7 miles, to Apra Harbor and boarded ship. They didnt sail until 2/17, two days before the
Battle of Iwo Jima because they were to be reserve troops only, and weren't scheduled for combat.
Thomas's ship remained about 80 miles off Iwo, but after 3 days, causalities were so severe, they were being sent ashore in groups. Unhappily most of the replacement men had only brief training in combat and many were killed or wounded. The 28th Draft men were all ashore and fighting or serving as beach unloaders by 2/28, and integrated into various units.
Iwo Jima -The Situation D+11: 2 March 1945 "Oh God, not another Ridge".
 On the right flank, the 25th Marines kept up pressure on both the Turkey Knob and Hill 382. The 1st Battalion attempted pre-dawn infiltrations but they were driven back by mortar and machine gun fire. A number of Sherman tanks and flamethrower tanks nicknamed Zippos moved up in support and pounded the blockhouse at the top of the Turkey Knob but the Japanese simply retired to the depths of their tunnels to wait out the barrage.
 The 26th Marines, after some intense fighting, managed to secure a foothold on Hill 382 2nd Battalion after a three-pronged attack following a short but sharp artillery barrage. In many instances artillery could not be used due to the closeness of the combatants and the Marines had to use small arms, explosives, grenades and flamethrowers to pry the Japanese out of their positions.
In the center, the hopes of the 3rd Marine Division of making a rapid dash to the sea were rapidly fading in the face of determined Japanese resistance. The division had still to take Hills 362B and C but pressed forward towards the unfinished Airfield No. 3 and the base of Hill 362B with the support of tanks. The open ground of the airfield gave virtually no cover from the Japanese artillery and the 9th Marines came up against the defenses of Baron Nishis command and progress remained slow.
On the left flank, the 5th Marine Division were encountering fewer and fewer man made obstacles as the ground became rougher and there were plenty of ravines, canyons, valleys and draws so that this natural defensive cover was all the Japanese needed. Nishi Ridge lay some 200 yds beyond Hill 362A and the 5th Engineers had to come forward and fill an antitank ditch in order for the attack to proceed. The 26th and 28th Marines then had the task of clearing the remainder of Hill 362A, after which they advanced to the base of Nishi Ridge.
Thomas M. Black was wounded on March 2, and died of his wounds on 3/3/1945 and was buried on the island of Iwo Jima in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery.
Pvt. Thomas Black Dies Of Wounds In Battle of Iwo
 Pvt. Thomas M. Black, 3rd Division U. S. Marine Corps, died of wounds received on Iwo Jima according to word received Wednesday night by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William T. Black, 396 Midland Avenue. In a letter received previously from the War Department, Mr. and Mrs. Black was notified that their son had been wounded on March 2. The telegram stated that he died the following day and was buried on the island of Iwo Jima in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery. Pvt. Black went overseas last November on his nineteenth birthday.
He entered the service in December 1943, after graduating from Rye High School in June of that year at the age of seventeen. He was a communicant of the Church of the Resurrection and had graduated from Resurrection School. Following early training at Parris Island, S. C, and New River, N. C, Pvt. Black went to Camp Pendleton, Calif. , leaving there to embark for overseas action. His last letter home was dated February 14, St. Valentines Day. The Blacks have lived in Rye since 1928.
 They have another son in the service, Staff Sergeant Vincent Black, an instructor in the Army Air Corps, now stationed at Las Vegas, Nev. , and previously at Pearl Harbor when the Japs attacked. There are three brothers at home. Charles, James and John, who are students in the Rye schools. Charles, who expects to graduate from Rye High School this June, took his physical examination for enlistment in the Marines on Wednesday, the same day that word of his brothers death was received. A sister Barbara, also attends school. Another sister living at home is Mrs. Marion Fredericks, whose husband, Pvt. Philip Fredericks is in the infantry was wounded in Germany on February 7 and is now hospitalized in England. Others surviving Pvt. Black are Mrs, Carol Maragano. A sister- William Black of Hartford, Conn. , a brother; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Black, also of Hartford, and Mr. and Mrs. George Zirkel of Davenport, Iowa.
RYE, NEW YORK FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1945
The Third Marine Division incurred 1,131 killed in action and 4,438 wounded during its invasion and combat on the island of Iwo Jima from February 20, 1945 to March 16, 1945.
The Battle of Iwo Jima has become etched in the historical memory of Americans largely because of the iconic photograph taken by photographer Joe Rosenthal. The photo derives power from more than its stunning visual image. It conveys the struggle and ultimate victory of U. S. Marines who played a critical role in bringing the catastrophic destruction of World War II to an end less than six months later. This battle came at an extraordinary cost to the United States; nearly seven thousand dead, almost six thousand of which were Marines. Iwo Jima remains the costliest battle in the history of the U. S. Marine Corps and represented approximately one third of the entire Marine death toll during World War II.
American Admiral Chester Nimitz reflected on the incredible sacrifice of the Marines who fought at Iwo Jima by saying,
"Uncommon valor was a common virtue".
Thomas M. Black's remains were returned to the U.S. and he was buried with full military honors in Farmingdale National Cemetery on Long Island.
Please see Biography written by sister Barbara Black McConville in Extended Info.
 Comments
Biography I wrote in December 2011 about my brother Thomas M. Black, USMC.
Review by Barbara Black McConville on May 08, 2013
Pvt. Thomas M. Black, USMC
Biography: Born November 11, 1925 in Davenport, Iowa, Tom was the middle child of nine and the third of six boys. The family relocated to Rye, NY, in 1928. Like his brothers, Tom was an altar boy and, Im told, he liked to impress casual acquaintances by interjecting a latin phrase here and there. Of course, he was reciting prayer responses. He also liked to brag about the fact that his birthday was a national holiday.
On Sundays during football season Tom and Chuck, probably fourteen and thirteen, would settle on the living room floor next to the Silver Tone radio. They each had a poster board marked with yard lines. Pencils and rulers were in place for the kickoff. As the football game progressed, they recorded the plays and referred to these charts in later discussions of the game. I think they always routed for Notre Dame.
It was rare that anyone in the household had to be reprimanded for a serious offense, but I recall that Tom found himself in hot water with Mom and Dad for pulling a stunt many young teens just cant resist. He carved his name into the garage door.
Growing up by Long Island Sound and just a bike ride from Milton Harbor, my brothers all felt a need to have some type of water craft whether it be a small sailboat, kayak or raft whether it be homemade or won in negotiations with others who were moving on to bigger and better. The boys in our family were adventurous and daring sailors, but thats another story.
Through his school years at Resurrection Parochial Tom delivered newspapers. Then as a student at Rye High, he helped at the photo concession at Rye Playland; later as a life guard/beach boy at a private beach club in Rye; even worked for a local tree service for a while.
Also like his brothers, Tom was a miler on the high school track team. And he wouldnt pass up a chance to take part in neighborhood football scrimmages and impromptu wrestling matches. His ice hockey stick was more than just a decoration in the corner of his room. At any opportunity he was tearing across the ice at Meads Pond. He loved music and spent his money on record players and LPs and trips to the Paramount Theater in NYC to see the big bands Glenn Miller, the Dorseys, Harry James, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, etc.
At age seventeen he worked part time at Als Diner which he insisted on calling Als Dinner in Rye and also at Empire Brush Works in Port Chester. At some point, he had summer employment at a fashionable hotel in Hartford, CT. He alternated bunking at Travs and Carols homes in Hartford and East Hartford. His plan was to experience his first flight but he never did amass enough savings for a plane ticket home.
As a teenager, Tom hung out with a nice bunch of guys and girls. I was lucky to often be included when they spent an afternoon at the beach. When I was nine, we moved away from Horton Street near the sound but Toms friends, Joan Harvey and Barbara Brennan, would ride their bikes a couple miles out of their way just to pick me up and give me a ride to the beach. They were good to let the little sister tag along.
On a Sunday in December, sixteen year old Tom was busy putting the finishing touches on a manger he had designed and built to display on the desk in the foyer/entry. He was applying paint when the festive mood was shattered with President Roosevelts radio announcement that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Our brother Vincent was there at the time as a member of the US Army Coast Artillery. Together in the living room, our family knelt and prayed.
I believe Tom was seventeen the Christmas he picked out and wrapped up a new winter coat for Mom. Apparently he had been saving up for some time to surprise her. Mom so enjoyed wearing that pretty coat with the black velvet turned-back cuffs.
The summer before he left home he and three friends chipped in together and bought a beat-up car. He and Mac, Psyclops, and Dim-Dim had a grand time in their new-found freedom getting around town in style.
Tom couldnt wait to join the Marines so he received his diploma mid-year and went to the enlistment office. He failed the physical because they found a heart murmur. Hearing of his disappointment, a chiropractor who had treated family members from time to time let him know that he could make that murmur disappear long enough to pass a physical. So Tom went for an adjustment a couple days prior to re-applying and passed the physical. He was sworn in at a special ceremony with one other guy whose last name was Brown. The recruiters referred to them as the colorful couple.
The last time we saw Tom was when he managed to hitch-hike home from Carolina on a 72-hour pass. The visit was brief but we got in some hugs and took some pictures. In the days after Tom had headed back to the base, an underlying tension was evident in our house. Later I learned that Dad was unhappy with a comment Mom made after we had said our good-byes at the curb. Mom walked back to the house and, crossing the threshold, uttered to no one in particular, Ill never see that boy again. Having trained at Parris Island and New River, SC, with additional training at Camp Pendleton, CA, Tom sailed from the States on his 19th birthday.
V-mails from Tom were filled with upbeat chatter. Though censors blocked out classified information, my parents correctly surmised he was on the island of Guam. He and buddies had found an old oil drum which they cut in half to make a bathtub. Mom had sent him a rosary. On two occasions he requested additional rosaries because others were asking for them. Mom sent dozens.
The last letter from Tom arrived on Valentines Day. We were unaware that his regiment, at that time, was on Iwo Jima. On March 28th our parents received a telegram informing them that Tom had been wounded in action. An extended stressful interval passed with no further word. Then came the telegram informing my parents that Tom had been wounded on March 1st and died of his wounds on March 3, 1945.
Some weeks later, Dad went back to the house on Horton Street. He walked up the driveway and directly to the garage, anxious to know if Toms handiwork was still visible. Reverently moving his hand over the weathered inscription had to be both painful and gratifying.
In the spring of 1948, Vincent was a student on the GI bill at UCLA when the Army Transport, Shwenk, arrived in port with our deceased military. Prior to his morning classes, Vince arrived at the Oakland Base very early, actually only half light. The cargo of caskets had been transferred the evening before to the twenty or so funeral coaches which were already sealed, all battle-ship gray, windows blacked over. Vince saw not a single individual while he was there, but had a quiet walk down the long line of coaches. He was remembering Toms last leave from Pendleton when they had gone sailing together.
On a beautiful sunny day in April at Farmingdale National Cemetery on Long Island we stood in respectful silence among rows of fallen heroes. The crack of rifle fire and the sound of a distant bugler added solemnity to a scene of pride and heartbreak. Like Vince said, Tom was in good company.
Two Marines who served with Tom contacted our parents and came to visit us in Rye. Morty Akron and Walt Blugerman shared anecdotes of their military experiences and spoke of their admiration for Tom. They were impressed with his never missing church and said there wasnt a guy in the outfit who didnt get along with Tom. Having been there when Tom was so seriously wounded, they spoke of his bravery and calm demeanor when he was driven away in the jeep ambulance. Toms comment to them was, Ill see you jokers later._____________________________
This narrative was written by Barbara McConville in December, 2011, with input from siblings Carol Maragnano, Jim Black, John Black and information found in a letter written by Vincent Black dated 7/31/94. Vince died in October, 2008.
Sgt. John R. Black, USMC, was a drill instructor at Parris Island from 1951 to 1953. When a Drill Instructor monument was erected on base, John arranged to have three bricks engraved and placed together at the site: one for Pvt. Thomas M. Black, one for Pfc. Charles P. Black, and one for himself. John retired from the Corp as a Major.
Tom was a happy-go-lucky guy with a generous spirit and many friends. Were so proud to call him our brother.
Pvt. Thomas Black Dies Of Wounds In Battle of Iwo
Pvt. Thomas M. Black, 3rd Division U. S. Marine Corps, died of wounds received on Iwo Jima according to word received Wednesday night by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William T. Black, 396 Midland Avenue. In a letter received previously from the War Department, Mr. and Mrs. Black was notified that their son had been wounded on March 2. The telegram stated that he died the following day and was buried on the island of Iwo Jima in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery. Pvt. Black went overseas last November on his nineteenth birthday. He entered the service in December 1943, after graduating from Rye High School in June of that year at the age of seventeen. He was a communicant of the Church of the Resurrection and had graduated from Resurrection School. Following early training at Parris Island, S. C, and New River, N. C, Pvt. Black went to Camp Pendleton, Calif. , leaving there to embark for overseas action. His last letter home was dated February 14, St. Valentines Day. The Blacks have lived in Rye since 1928. They have another son in the service, Staff Sergeant Vincent Black, an instructor in the Army Air Corps, now stationed at Las Vegas, Nev. , and previously at Pearl Harbor when the Japs attacked. There are three brothers at home. Charles, James and John, who are students in the Rye schools. Charles, who expects to graduate from Rye High School this June, took his physical examination for enlistment in the Marines on Wednesday, the same day that word of his brothers death was received. A sister Barbara, also attends school. Another sister living at home is Mrs. Marion Fredericks, whose husband, Pvt. Philip Fredericks is in the infantry was wounded in Germany on February 7 and is now hospitalized in England. Others surviving Pvt. Black are Mrs, Carol Mnraerano. A sister- William Black of Hartford, Conn. , a brother; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Black, also of Hartford, and Mr. and Mrs. George Zirkel of Davenport, Iowa.
RYE, NEW YORK FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1945
|
|
|
My brother Thomas M. Black, USMC 
