Third Marine Division

Special Footage

Iwo Jima

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Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt)
Edward Joseph Subel
[Confirmed]

Note: right click video and select Loop to repeat.

There are several indicators that the soldier in this video is, in all likelihood, Gunnery Sergeant Edward J Subel test firing weapons on March 7, 1945 (D+16) in Iwo Jima.

UPDATE (5/5/2016): Edward’s wife, Beverly, confirmed that this is her husband.

1) The video title, “U.S. Marine Corps of 3rd Infantry Division Marines repair rifles at Ordnance small arms repair set up in Iwo Jima, Japan”, description, “United States Marine Corps of 3rd Infantry Division in Iwo Jima, Japan during World War II” and markers (see screenshots below) indicate that this is footage of the 3rd Marine Division in Iwo Jima AND, according to the January 1945 Muster Roll 0916, Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Edward J Subel was in the Ordnance Company, 3rd Service Battalion, Service Troops of the 3rd Marine Division.

2) The soldier in the video is part of an ordnance crew AND, according to the January 1945 Muster Roll 0916, Gunnery Sergeant Edward J Subel’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was 511 which was designated as SMALL ARMS MECHANIC {Ordnance}.

3) Although the quality of the video makes it difficult to see, the visible writing on the back of the soldier’s shirt is “E.J.” followed by a short last name starting with “SU” (see screenshot below) AND, according to the January 1945 Muster Roll 0916, there were only three soldiers in the entire 3rd Marine Division on Iwo Jima with a first name starting with “E”, a middle name starting with “J” and a last name starting with “SU” – Edward J Sullivan (Truck Driver, Light or Chauffeur), Edward J Subel (Small Arms Mechanic) and Eugene J Sulski (Machine Gun Crewman). Of these three soldiers only two have a last name fitting the visible, short criteria and only one was involved with ordnance repair – Edward J Subel.

Video sources:
1) http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675064085
Note: I am not, in any way, affiliated with CriticalPast.com.

Research sources:
1) FindAGrave Memorial 49911580
2) National Archives January 1945 Muster Roll 0916.
3) Ancestry.com

Still1 - Marker 1 Note indication of the 3rd Marine Division “3 MD” and March 7, 1945 “D+16”.