Original Item: One-Of-A-Kind. Now this was an incredible discovery! Finding genuine USMC signed captured flags in itself is incredible, but the stories that unfold from the names written uncovers untold stories of valor and unwavering dedication to your fellow Marines.

The flag is worn, tattered and stained but the decoration of the names of these brave heroes of Iwo Jima rekindle the beauty of the item. There are dozens of names written on the flag with their hometowns written beneath. We searched a few of the names and they were seen as serving with the 5th Marine Division during the same time as the legendary battle for Iwo Jima.

One of the names written in the top left corner is Al, J. O’Banion / Main St / Baton Rouge, La. Alfred J. O’Banion enlisted in the Marine Corps on October 27, 1943 and is seen having trained as a Marine Raider with the Second Raider Company of the Raider Battalion. He served in the Pacific with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, Fifth Marine Division. This was the unit where he would earn himself a Purple Heart and a Silver Star while fighting on Iwo Jima, alongside his Lieutenant, who would later be awarded the Medal of Honor Posthumously.

Silver Star Citation

“The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Alfred J. O'Banion (MCSN: 907482), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. When the advance of his platoon was halted by heavily fortified enemy positions, Private First Class O'Banion led tanks into the lines and, directing their fire by hand and arm signals, assisted directly in knocking out two enemy pillboxes, thereby allowing his platoon to advance. Although wounded by hostile mortar fire during the action, he refused evacuation until he had aided in removing another wounded man to safety. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class O'Banion and the United States Naval Service.”

On the very same day as his actions that earned him the Silver Star, his Lieutenant, 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, was fighting right beside him, but went above and beyond the call of duty to destroy the enemy, actions that would later on immortalize him as a Medal of Honor recipient.

Included with this legendary flag is a 6th Marines signed “Geisha” banner from the occupation of Japan. The banner measures 30”L x 12”W.

This is truly a wonderful piece of history! Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Jack Lummus
On December 7, 1941, the Giants were playing their archrival the Brooklyn Dodgers. Around half-time, the Associated Press ticker in the press box gave out a message saying, "Airplanes identified as Japanese have attacked the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor." The players continued the game, knowing nothing of the attack. The Giants lost but went on to play the Chicago Bears in the NFL championship game.

On October 11, 2015, the Giants honored Lummus by inducting him into the New York Giants Ring of Honor.

At the time of his death Jack Lummus was generally known in Texas and areas in the southwest as an outstanding football and baseball player for Baylor University, and as a freshman end for the 1941, Eastern Division Champion, New York Football Giants.

Jack gave up his professional sports career to join the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a private in Dallas, Texas on January 30, 1942 for the duration of the national emergency. On March 11, 1943 he completed twenty rigorous weeks at Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, Virginia to be an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Jack joined Marine Raiders on June 25, 1943, but the Raiders were dissolved near the end of that year, and Jack was assigned to the newly created 5th Marine Division at Camp Joseph H. Pendleton at Oceanside, California, on January 19, 1944. In February he met Ethlyn "Skipper" Bookwalter on a blind date, while on liberty in Los Angeles. It was a perfect match, and the beginning of a love affair that would have led to marriage had Jack survived combat and war. He had asked his good friend Tony Antonelli to be his best man.

On February 19, 1945 Jack landed on Iwo Jima at 9:01 a.m. in the first wave of assault troops. On March 8 Jack was mortally wounded, and died from his wounds on an operating table in 5th Marine Division Field Hospital near east beach on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands in the Nanpo Shoto.

Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith, the top ranking Marine at Iwo Jima, said, "Iwo Jima was the most savage and the most costly battle in the history of the Marine Corps."

Iwo Jima
Lummus was in the first wave of troops to land at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He landed at 9 a.m. on the beach known as Red One. He and his platoon spent the next two weeks incessantly fighting the dug-in Japanese.

His initial duty was a liaison officer for the Second Battalion, spotting targets on the slopes of Mount Suribachi for artillery and air strikes. On March 6, he was given command of Company E's third rifle platoon. On March 8, his platoon was spearheading a final assault on an objective east of Kitano Point, near the northern edge of the island. Despite minor wounds received from grenade fragmentation, Lummus knocked out three enemy strongholds, well-fortified positions arranged to defend each other, which were preventing his platoon from reaching its objective. Following this action, he stepped on a land mine and was mortally wounded, losing his legs. While lying on the ground, he urged his platoon on, until he was carried off to an aid station.

At the aid station, he famously told the doctor, Thomas M. Brown, "Well, doc, the New York Giants lost a mighty good end today." He was transferred to the field hospital, where he underwent surgery and a transfusion of 18 pints of blood, but died of internal wounds on the operating table. He was buried in plot five, row 13, grave 1,244 in the Fifth Division Cemetery. His body was later moved to Ennis, Texas.

In a letter to his mother, Lummus' commanding officer wrote:

Jack suffered very little for he didn't live long. I saw Jack soon after he was hit. With calmness, serenity and complacency, Jack said, 'The New York Giants lost a good man.' We all lost a good man.

Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for 2 days and nights, 1st Lt. Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked, and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic 1-man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Lummus had inspired his stouthearted marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his regimental mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.