Fourth Marine Division

Special Footage

Iwo Jima

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Pharmacist Mate 1st Class (PhM1c)
George Edwin Bachert
[Confirmed]

There are several indicators that the soldier in this footage, at the far left going through his waist pouch and then later in the center of the frame applying a bandage, is, in all likelihood, Pharmacist Mate 1st Class (PhM1c) George E. Bachert in Iwo Jima on February 19th, 1945 (D-Day).

UPDATE (1/5/2016): George Edwin Bachert’s daughter, Kathleen Willbanks, and son, Bruce Bachert, confirmed that this is their father. They informed me that he was not WIA, indicating that he was on Iwo Jima for the full 36 days.

1) The video title, “Aerial view of boats and ships advancing during the battle of Iwo Jima in Japan.”, description, “Aerial view of ship fleet in water during the battle of Iwo Jima in Japan.” and markers (see screenshot below) indicate that this is footage of Iwo Jima AND, according to the January 1945 Muster Roll 0916, Pharmacist Mate 1st Class (PhM1c) George E. Bachert was in Iwo Jima in 1945.

2) Although the quality of the video makes it difficult to see, the visible writing on the bag around the soldier’s waist at the far left is “BACHERT” (see screenshot below) AND, according to the January 1945 Muster Roll (Roll 0916), there was only one soldier in the 4th Marine Division on Iwo Jima with the last name “BACHERT” – George E. Bachert.

3) The soldier in the middle of the frame is wearing the waist pouch marked “BACHERT” as mentioned above, he is clearly providing medical care for the leg of the soldier on the ground AND George E. Bachert was a Pharmacist Mate 1st Class (PhM1c).

4) The Unit Numerical Identification System (UNIS) marking on the soldier’s shirt at the far left in the early part of the footage (see descriptive screenshot below) is a semi-circle. The semi-circle tactical marking was used for the 4th Marine Division AND, George E. Bachert was in the Headquarters and Services (H & S) Company, 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalion of the 4th Marine Division.

Video sources:
1) http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675034615 @ 02:24.
Note: I am not, in any way, affiliated with CriticalPast.com

2) https://youtu.be/P6e5xWqUmEs?t=26s

Research sources:
1) National Archives January 1945 Muster Roll 0916.
2) Ancestry.com

This is a screenshot from a portion of the previous footage.

Note: Click on image for larger view.

This is a screenshot from a portion of the previous footage.

It seems that the insignia on the soldier’s jacket sleeve designates him as a United States Navy (USN) Petty Officer 2nd Class. Corpsmen were members of the Navy that were “attached” to Marine divisions as medics.