The Marine who led the charge to place the first American flag above Iwo Jima died this month in Colorado.
First Lt. John Wells was 94 when he passed away at the Arvada Care Rehabilitation Center in Arvada, Colorado.
Wells received the Navy Cross, Bronze Star and Purple Heart after leading his Marines in a frontal assault up the slopes of Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
He didn’t make it to the top after taking multiple enemy rounds, but continued to command, leading his men to victory. His platoon raised the first flag atop the mountain, hours before the iconic photo of the second flag raising was captured.
Connie Schultz, Well’s daughter, told ABC affiliate Denver 7 “He was a very warm, sensitive, spiritual man, all the way to age 94,” “He honored and loved the Marine Corps with all his heart and soul. He loved his family, and his last words were, ‘My family.’ ”
Wells, as leader of the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, successfully conducted the Feb. 21, 1945, assault over open terrain against a well-entrenched and stalwart defender.
Wells led demolition teams from one enemy bunker to the other, knocking out at least 25 emplacements in the process.
The engagement gained his platoon the distinction as the most decorated platoon to fight in a single engagement in the history of the Marine Corps.