As we celebrate 242 years, we wanted to highlight Sgt.Maj. Mike "Iron" Mervosh, a career Marine who served for 35 years in our beloved Corps.
He enlisted in the Marines after Pearl Harbor, serving with the 4th Marine Div, surviving the landings in Roi-Namur,
Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima. On Iwo Jima, he fought for 36 days straight, wounded 3 separate times, each time refusing evacuation because he wanted
to be with his men. His response when he was asked about whether or not he saw the famous flag-raising on Iwo was typical Mike. “No,” he said. “I was too busy killing and fighting the enemy, and saving my rear end, up in the northern part of the island.”
By the end of the battle for Iwo, Mike’s company had been whittled from 331 men down to only 31 who were able to walk off the island, with then-Sergeant Mervosh acting as company commander.
He then fought the communists in Korea, and again while he did 2 tours in Vietnam. His final assignment was that of Fleet Marine Force Pacific Sergeant Major, the largest field command in the Marines. When he retired in 1977, he was the most senior enlisted man in the US armed forces. Mike was decorated for valor in combat 11 times and earned 13 battle stars in three wars.
When asked about all the fighting he was a part of in three wars, Mike always said that Iwo was the worst of them all by far.
Sgt.Maj Mike Mervosh passed away at the age of 94 on last week (Nov 3rd). Rest easy Devil, and Semper Fi. #stayzero #hero #marines #oldbreed