It’s difficult to identify the Marines one sees in pictures. This is particularly true when the photo is taken by someone from outside the unit. Only occasionally did a press photographer manage to record the names of the Marines whose faces he captured under fire; even more rare was the Marine who survived to recognize his photo in the years to come.
Less common still was the Marine whose photograph became famous. LIFE Magazine photographer W. Eugene Smith snapped this series of PFC Thomas E. Underwood, a Baker Company Marine from St. Petersburg, Florida, towards the end of the Saipan campaign. Recently (and, in my estimation, incorrectly) these photographs have been (mis)identified as an Army sergeant named Angelo Klonis.
However, despite how camera-shy First Battalion seems to have been, there are photographs of them in the field. There may certainly be many more, perhaps some that are well known, or perhaps photos that only live on a photographer’s proof sheet. The following pictures are of 1/24 Marines under fire and in action; unstaged and candid. The names of the men in the photographs aren’t yet known. All of the following are official USMC photographs; most can be found in the collected works of historian Eric Hammel.
Dog Company on Namur
This is a squad from Company D, First Battalion, 24th Marines in the first and only battle in which they were deployed. As the battalion’s heavy weapons outfit, Dog Company’s four platoons were split between the rifle companies (one MG platoon each) and battalion headquarters (the 81mm mortar platoon). They can be identified by the “Unit Numerical Identification System” (UNIS) marking on the backs of their dungarees. The semi-circle represented the Fourth Marine Division; the number 415 indicates a member of the 24th Regiment, 1st Battalion, 5th Company. It isn’t known which platoon these Marines belonged to, but the speed with which they’ve dropped their heavy combat packs indicates they’re quickly learning about life on the front line; other 1/24 veterans have stated that only rear-echelon troops appear in pictures wearing their packs. Whomever they are, these Marines are quite happy to wait in the shelter of the sea wall, and even more happy that the Japanese heavy MG above them has been knocked out. The Marine at center has a small number inked above his UNIS marking; it will indicate his rank. It appears to be a 2 or a 3, indicating either a corporal or a sergeant.
Able Company on Tinian
Again, this group can be identified by the UNIS code – in this case, the large “412” painted on the radio handset of the communications man at front. UNIS markings were used not only to identify Marines, but their equipment as well; it is not uncommon to find them painted on boxes of ammunition, pieces of 782 gear, or on crew-serviced weapons. In this case, the paint job seems to indicate that this was a hurriedly marked walkie-talkie instead of one done by regulations. The presence of the radioman suggests that an officer might be nearby; the Marine in the middle distance whose head pokes up above the others bears some resemblance to 1st Lt. Roy I. Wood of the Third Platoon, though this can’t be definitively determined. Despite their heavy armament, these Marines have managed to spot something humorous up ahead, as evidenced by the grins on the radioman and the BAR gunner.
Mortars on Iwo Jima
This enterprising 60mm mortar team has taken over a Japanese emplacement on Iwo Jima. It’s a perfect setup for a mortar – well built, well protected, with a clear overhead, and plenty of space to store the ammunition to the rear. Doubtless, these men regretted leaving it behind when the call came to advance. These Marines are believed to be members of Company B; once again, the UNIS markings point them out. The helmet of the Marine in the foreground – the assistant gunner – bears a stenciled “413,” while the man next to him sports three separate stencils of the same number. He’s wearing an unusual article of clothing – it almost appears to be a light sweatshirt – and regrettably the photograph can’t zoom in to reveal what he’s written on his neckline, which could very well be his name. For some reason – and this is pure conjecture on the author’s part – I’ve thought this Marine could be Corporal Harmon Chichester, a veteran Baker Company mortarman, but again, that is just speculation.
Harmon Chichester in 1943, and (possibly) in 1945. Chichester was listed as “wounded, not evacuated” on February 20, 1945; the Marine on right has what appears to be a bandage on his left hand.
Mortars, (possibly) B Company, At Japanese Emplacement
This mortar team is taking a well-deserved break at a demolished Japanese gun emplacement. They’ve shucked off their gear and most have put down their weapons (though they aren’t far away) and are taking a breather while the smoking lamp is still lit. It’s interesting to note the difference in body language in this photo – the four Marines sitting close together are much more relaxed, smiling and joking, while the five on the outskirts seem much more withdrawn – particularly the three on the right, one of whom does not want to put down his carbine. And with good reason. Empty ammo boxes and spent machine gun rounds at the very upper left suggest that not long ago this ground was being fought over; an American machine gun has been here, engaged, and presumably advanced.
In another view, evidently taken a short time later, we can see that this will probably be their home for the night – at lower left, supplies of extra mortar ammunition (in the cylinders) and machine-gun rounds have been brought up; the carbine-holding Marine has taken off his helmet, and a rifle squad is taking five at right. The Marine standing in the middle is probably a squad or platoon leader checking in about a defensive setup. In all, it’s a great study of Marines in the field.
How to identify this as First Battalion? Historian Eric Hammel notes that this picture was taken atop a cliff “overlooking the small boat basin north of The Quarry.” This was within the 24th Marines’ zone of operations in the first week of the battle for Iwo Jima. And while the faces of the Marines tell a story of hard fighting, their equipment is positioned in such a way that finding identifying markings is not easy; some are also wearing jackets over their dungarees – it got surprisingly cold on Iwo Jima, and any Marine that could find extra clothing generally put it on, obscuring the UNIS marks on his issued dungarees. Only the Marine glaring at the cameraman has a UNIS mark visible, and it’s difficult to make out the numbers. To me, it appears to be a “413” for Baker Company; however this identity could be mistaken. 
Communications
These telephone men on Iwo have established a communications relay station and are likely checking in with Battalion HQ. The Marine at the rear has UNIS number “411” for Headquarters, First Battalion, 24th Marines.
The Wounded
There are two “413” markings in this photograph, meaning at least two of these Marines are from Company B – the man facing away from the camera in full gear (on his shovel) and the man with the black undershirt and rosary (on his helmet.) Presumably, the wounded man and his other helper are from Baker Company as well; the helping man on the right appears to have his name stenciled on his helmet, but the photo doesn’t quite pick it out. They are also presumably moving back through the command post of either Company B or the First Battalion itself on their way to the aid station – note the officer on the telephone at center, and the rebar and concrete of a wrecked Japanese emplacement providing cover – but without the full caption it’s hard to say for sure. As Iwo Jima ground on and more and more replacements came to the front line, UNIS markings became more scarce – the original Marines who’d inked them onto their gear just weren’t around anymore. The wounded man has the look of a replacement with his carefully bloused trousers, smooth face, and general cleanliness. Again, though, without a photographer’s caption that recorded the unit, date, and location, any attempts at identification will be best-guess at their most optimistic.