Lang
5/30/21
Commanding Officer Quintin James of the U.S.S. Iowa praised Iowans lost in war during his annual Memorial Day address.
“Time and time again the proud state of Iowa has answered the nation’s call to defend our way of life, often at the cost of great sacrifice. The First World War was perhaps the first major test of the Hawkeye State – 110,000 Iowans enlisted during WWI, and nearly 4,000 lives were lost.
This year, we celebrate 76 years since our victory in World War II. More than 16 million Americans left behind everything they knew and loved to fight for our freedom, including 250,00 Iowa patriots, and 8,400 paid the ultimate price. The US Submarine Force suffered the highest casualty percentage of all American armed forces, losing one in five sailors. 16,000 submariners served during the war, with 375 officers and over 3,000 enlisted men losing their lives. A total of 52 submarines were lost in the war.”
James then moved on to more recent conflicts.
“The legacy of Iowa’s sacrifice has only grown stronger throughout America’s fight for freedom abroad. 115,000 Iowa natives served in the Vietnam War – which claimed nearly 900 lives, with five receiving the Medal of Honor. Seven Iowans perished in the Persian Gulf, two were lost in Panama, and nearly 100 were killed between the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We are forever grateful for all who have served, and thankful for the families of our fallen.”
You can listen to Commanding Officer James’ full remarks here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=
To learn more about the USS Iowa, visit https://www.ussiowassn797.org/