wahlen

This powerful story documents the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of extraordinary navy corpsman George Wahlen. After decades of silence, this survivor of one of World War II’s most horrific battles divulges the gritty details of his incredible experiences. Upon landing with a company of 250 marines, Wahlen fought alongside them. Under repeated grenade and mortar fire himself, Wahlen refused evacuation, choosing instead to aid those he perceived to be in greater danger. Witnesses of his heroics remain dumbfounded he survived, and while his incredible feats of bravery saved countless marines, the intensity of the battle left few men of the company unscathed-they suffered the highest killed-in-action ratio of any marine company during a single battle in U.S. history. The significance of his story lies in the historic context of the battle for Iwo Jima; while many remember the iconic flag-raising photograph captured during this conflict, few realize the battle was the most costly of World War II for America. After receiving a Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman in 1945, Wahlen has been the quintessential quiet hero, refusing the adulation usually bestowed on nationally recognized veterans.

Gary W. Toyn is a former producer of video documentaries. He traveled worldwide for the U.S. Department of Defense and is a former reporter for UPI and ABC Radio News. He currently teaches broadcasting at Weber State University. He lives in Ogden, Utah. Bob Dole is a WWII veteran who received two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained in a battle against the Nazis in Italy and a Bronze Star for his attempt to assist a downed radio operator. He has served as both the Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader in the U.S. Senate. He lives in Russell, Kansas. Orrin Hatch has been a U.S. Senator since 1977 and is the senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.