Fourth Marine Division

Special Footage

Iwo Jima

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Platoon Sergeant (PL SGT) Roger Carl Palm
[Confirmed]

Footage of Platoon Sergeant Roger C. Palm, on Yellow 1 Beach in Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945 (D-Day) at ~10:35AM.

UPDATE (11/24/2015): Soldier’s identity confirmed as Roger Carl Palm by his son, Dr. Roger Carl Palm, Jr.

There are several indicators that the soldier in this video is, indeed, Roger C. Palm.

1) The video description, title, “U.S. 4th Marine Division engaged in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II”, and markers in the video indicate that this is footage of the 4th Marine Division AND, according to the January 1945 Muster Roll (Roll 0916), Roger C. Palm was in the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines (Regiment) of the 4th Marine Division.

2) Although the quality of the video makes it difficult to see, the writing on the soldier’s helmet is “R. C. Palm” as seen in the next, higher resolution screenshot.

3) Although the quality of the video makes it difficult to see, the Unit Numerical Identification System (UNIS) marking on the soldier’s helmet is a semi-circle with 311. The 300 series UNIS markings were used for the 23rd Infantry Regiment. The semi-circle tactical marking was used for the 4th Marine Division. 311 was for the 1st Battalion, Headquarters Company AND Roger C. Palm was in the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines (Regiment) of the 4th Marine Division. See the higher resolution screenshot below.

4) Although the quality of the video makes it difficult to see, the Unit Numerical Identification System (UNIS) marking on the soldier’s helmet just above the semi-circle is a “3” which was used to designate the ranking of a Sergeant AND Roger C. Palm was a Platoon Sergeant. See the higher resolution screenshot below.

5) According to the January 1945 Muster Roll (Roll 0916), there was only one soldier with the last name of Palm in the 4th Marine Division – Roger C. Palm.

Video sources:
1) http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675063861 @ 01:15
Note: I am not, in any way, affiliated with CriticalPast.com

Research sources:
1) National Archives January 1945 Muster Roll – Roll 0916.
2) FindAGrave Memorial 111732851
3) Ancestry.com

This is a screenshot from a portion of the previous footage