World War II Iwo Jima Survivor Joe Caminiti’s 100th Birthday celebration
October 12, 2024 1 pm to 3 pm
Help celebrate World War II Iwo Jima Survivors who will shortly turn 100. He is one of two known Survivors in Ct.
Joe was on Iwo Jima when the American Flag was raised. He witnessed it from the airfield.
October 12, 2024, the New Britain Marine Corp League will honor Joe Caminiti at the American Legion, Post 2 on Hooker Court, Bristol, Ct. The event will be held from 1 pm till 3 pm in the picnic area. If bad weather, it will be moved inside.
Hosted by: Marine Corps League Hardware City Detachment #781
Location: American Legion, Post 2, 22 Hooker Ct, Bristol, CT 06010
A message from Neil Supranovich;
Come on down to the American Legion, Post 2 and meet living History. Meet Joe Caminiti, a local boy, World War II Veteran, Iwo Jima Survivor. Joe is one of two known Iwo Jima Survivors still alive in Ct. Joe is one of 200 known living Iwo Jima Survivors worldwide.
Come on down and learn what he has done over the years.
If you ask him, he will tell you he is no hero. He just did what he was told. Those who did not come home from the War are the true heroes.
Joe at 17 dropped out of school, his last year to enlist in the Marines. After returning from the War, Joe went back and graduated from high school.
If you ask Joe, he will tell you how he stood on the Airfield on Iwo Jima. He turned toward the MT. and witnessed the iconic American Flag rising over the top. In 2020 Joe met the son of the Marine that carried that exact Flag he witnessed, up the Mt. The exact flag Joe witnessed during the Battle for Iwo Jima.
Joe saved a number of lives throughout the Battle. He and his Trac retrieved the wounded. The wounded were brought back to the aid stations on the beach. If the wounded were severely wounded, he just took them directly to the Hospital Ships.
In 2006 Joe was presented a flag that flew over Iwo Jima, aboard the USS Iwo Jima by the Commander of the USS Iwo Jima. Today that flag is part of the Bristol Memorial Military Museum.
The New Britain Marine Corp League plans to honor Joe Caminiti with the help of American Legion, Post2. The event will happen between 1pm Saturday till 3. A few awards will be presented to Joe along with a cake. A slide show of events Joe has taken part with to honor Veterans will be shown. A chance will be given to allow anyone to say something about Joe.
Out of many honors received by Joe, here a a few;
Celebrating 100 Years: The Remarkable Journey of Joe Caminiti, Iwo Jima Survivor
Joe Caminiti’s incredible journey began in World War II when he served as a Marine from 1942 to 1945, witnessing history firsthand during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was a gunner on an amphibious landing vehicle, helping troops land on several islands in the Pacific under heavy fire. On Iwo Jima, Joe was stationed at the airstrip when the iconic American flag was raised on Mount Suribachi.
Years later, on November 11, 2010, Joe shared his Iwo Jima experience, giving a rare and personal account of the intense battle and the significance of the flag-raising he witnessed.
In February 2021, the American Legion Post 2 in Bristol honored him as a hometown hero. Joe, then 96, raised a flag flown on Iwo Jima in a special ceremony planned by emcee Neal Supranovich, a tribute to Joe’s service and the legacy of the Marines who fought there.
In May 2022, Joe, now 97, was presented with a Woody Williams Medal of Honor Coin for his service. Joe recalled his time on Iwo Jima, where he witnessed the battle and met with the grandson of Woody Williams, the last living WWII veteran to receive the Medal of Honor. That same year, he attended the unveiling of the Connecticut Gold Star Family Memorial Monument, sitting in the VIP section as a special guest and receiving further recognition for his service.
By November 11, 2022, at 98 years old, Joe was still front and center in honoring fellow veterans. He rang the USS Kidd Ship Bell at the American Legion Post 2’s Veterans Day ceremony, paying tribute to veterans of the past, present, and future.
On February 21, 2023, Joe was celebrated on the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. A special event at the Bristol Public Library honored Joe alongside five other WWII veterans, all aged between 98 and 103. During the event, Joe’s portrait, painted by Air Force veteran Don Scott, was unveiled to the crowd. The painting immortalized Joe’s legacy, and a limited-edition print was set to be given to him, while the original would hang in Washington D.C.
In March 2024, the Marine Corps League presented Joe with a United States Marine Red Satin Jacket as a symbol of honor for his service at Iwo Jima, followed by a military toast. The celebrations of Joe’s service continued as he was re-quilted during a Flag Day ceremony on June 12, 2024, by the Bristol Elks Lodge, recognizing his WWII efforts and lifelong dedication to honoring veterans.
As Joe approaches his 100th birthday in October 2024, his story remains an inspiration. From fighting in one of the most iconic battles in history to being honored in his community for decades, Joe Caminiti’s life reflects resilience, service, and a deep connection to fellow veterans. His legacy will continue to be celebrated as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE! 🎉🎂
Joe was recognized at the October 8th City Council meeting and given a key to the City.
Joe is the only known CT Iwo Jima Survivor. It is estimated that there are less than 200 left from the approximately 20,000 that survived the battle.
BristolCT #bristolallheart
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