In 1943 at the age of 17, Charles H Cram eagerly enlisted into the US Navy as a Corpsman. On February 19, 1945, Charles made the landing on Iwo Jima and went ashore with his Company of 250 Marines. As a Corpsman, his job was to render lifesaving medical aid to wounded marines. He did so hopping from one to another up and down the front lines. Charles remembers witnessing the rise of the US Flag over Mount Suribachi and hearing the wild cheers of his fellow Marines. He thought it signaled the war was over, but he was asked to go back to the front lines the next day where many of his comrades would die. On day seven, despite being wounded himself, he refused to leave and continued aiding other wounded marines until forced to evacuate. Of the 250 marines in his Company who went ashore, only 25 walked off of Iwo Jima. For his service, Charles was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. Charles returned home after the war to marry his teenage sweetheart, Joan. They were married for 67 years until she passed away. Charles has a son and daughter, 5 Grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Last Saturday, Charles turned 99 years old.