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History in the making: “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band visits Japan for first time - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Sara Sheffield, left, a mezzo soprano vocalist, and Col. Jason Fettig, the 28th Director, both with "The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, perform at the Yamaguchi Prefectural Culture Hall Sinfonia Iwakuni in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 19, 2019. Nearly 1,200 Japanese locals and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents attended the concert. The centuries-old musical group rarely travels outside of the United States and has never before visited Japan. The last time the band performed internationally was 2001 in Switzerland, making this trip truly historic and unique. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew Jones)

Multiple squadrons participated in the professional military education on the island to gain information on its historical significance and foster esprit de corps. - U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, collect sand at Iwo To (Iwo Jima), Japan, Nov. 7, 2017. Multiple squadrons participated in the professional military education on the island to gain information on its historical significance and foster esprit de corps.

Robert “Bob” Klingman flew his F4U Corsair with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 in support of the Battle of Okinawa near the close of World War II. During operations he flew into Marine Corps history when he used his propellor to chop off the tail of Japanese aircraft. - Robert “Bob” Klingman flew his F4U Corsair with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 in support of the Battle of Okinawa near the close of World War II. During operations he flew into Marine Corps history when he used his propellor to chop off the tail of Japanese aircraft.

Greeley Wells Jr., Barbara Kenney and Elizabeth Wells display letters and challenge coins they received from Maj. Sung Kim, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Seattle, on behalf of 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos following a memorial service for their father, 1st Lt. George Greeley Wells, in Bellevue, Washington, Oct. 25, 2014. Greeley served as the adjutant of 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, during World War II’s famed Battle of Iwo Jima. He carried the first flag that was raised on Mt. Suribachi, a moment later captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal in the war’s most famous photo. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he was featured in James Bradley’s best-selling book “Flags of Our Fathers” and “War Stories with Oliver North,” produced by the retired Marine and Fox News correspondent. Greeley, a native of Lake Forest, Illinois, moved with his family from Harding Township, New Jersey, to Bellevue in the early 2000s. At 94, he passed away in his sleep here Sept. 22, 2014. - Greeley Wells Jr., Barbara Kenney and Elizabeth Wells display letters and challenge coins they received from Maj. Sung Kim, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Seattle, on behalf of 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos following a memorial service for their father, 1st Lt. George Greeley Wells, in Bellevue, Washington, Oct. 25, 2014. Greeley served as the adjutant of 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, during World War II’s famed Battle of Iwo Jima. He carried the first flag that was raised on Mt. Suribachi, a moment later captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal in the war’s most famous photo. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he was featured in James Bradley’s best-selling book “Flags of Our Fathers” and “War Stories with Oliver North,” produced by the retired Marine and Fox News correspondent. Greeley, a native of Lake Forest, Illinois, moved with his family from Harding Township, New Jersey, to Bellevue in the early 2000s. At 94, he passed away in his sleep here Sept. 22, 2014.