Cpl. Clarence Ray Hipp: b 24 Feb 1919 Coleman Co. Tx. son of George Alvin & Bessie Watson Hipp of Santa Anna, Tx. Siblings in 1930 census, Brown Co., Tx, Ruby R., Bonnie M. & James C Hipp of Brown Co., Tx.
Clarence joined the US Marine Corps on 20 Dec 1943 and was with the 28th Marines Co. E., 3rd Platoon, 5^th Div. during the battle of Iwo Jima. After Boot Camp & combat training (demolition specialist) he was put on aboard the USS Missoula, arrived at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands and sailed there and disembarked at Saipan, Marianas Islands, embarked aboard LST-481 at Saipan, Marianas Islands, and disembarked at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. All this took about 19 day. As the battle wore on and some point near the end, it was decided to place the US Flag on top of the Mt. Suribachi, so all, on the Island, could see it. As Recorded in the Marine roster, he was listed in the Assault Squad with nine others. The First Flag went up at 10:20 that morning and a call for the larger second flag, was found and sent to the top, with those Marines we are all familiar with, and place about 4 hours later. In a newspaper article wrote 5 yrs after the flag raising. Quote, “Clarence R. Hipp now a tool dresser, one of the 13 volunteers stood at ready with M-1 rifle, while five of his buddies raised the flag.”

As this First Flag went up, an rousing cheer could be heard from the Marines below. A Marine witnessing this flag going up, said his buddy stood up to cheer thinking the battle was over but he soon fell back with a Japanese bullet in his forehead. Never, before had a foreign flag been raised over Japanese territory. It would not be the last.

All of these Marines are identified in various photos taken by Sgt Louis Lowery of Leatherneck Magazine. Undoubtedly, they all had a prominent role in this flag raising. Lowery’s photos would be held back from publication until Sept 1947 because of the Joseph Rosenthal photo of the Second raising of the larger flag. These men were put on duty to raise the sell of WAR BONDS.

At first it was unclear what role Clarence Hipp played in this raising of the flag. It is stated by a fellow friend that he was manning a machinegun guarding the perimeter, when the flag went up, but now we know he was on watch with M-1 in the picture. Ever one couldn’t be part of, the actual raising and some didn’t want to be photographed but it took all of them to complete the job. Because of all the hype of the Second flag raising these men never received the recognition they deserved. This type of behavior still goes on in other places, even in Santa Anna. The Squad leader Cpl Charles W. Lindberg, died recently, fought to have recognition for their actions, to no avail. A lot of books have been written on this subject.

Talking with his daughter Betty Sue Cupps about her dad, she said he never would talk about the war. Sometime when trying to talk some, the emotions still ran deep and his wife would have him stop. On holidays the use of firecrackers were not used around the house. He was also wounded (2 days later) after the Flag raising and received the Purple Heart. All of these Marines are identified in various photos taken by Sgt Louis Lowery of Leatherneck Magazine. Undoubtedly, they all had a prominent role in this flag placement. As, to the ordeal of being wounded in the hip and trapped in a fox hole with another Marine for 13 hours before help came. The other Marine attemped to craw out and was hit in the neck and bled out, with Clarence watching and could do nothing to save him. It took 9 months for him to recover from the wound to the hip.

A Veteran marker was order not to long after his death, but it never came through. Now, a cousin in the family is pushing to get one by Memorial Day. The way they operate that may not happen, also thinking of maybe getting a plaque describing this event.

Obit COLEMAN – Clarence Ray Hipp, 78, of Santa Anna died Friday, 28 March 1997, at his residence. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Monday in Coleman County and was a lifetime residence of Santa Anna. A Marine veteran of WW II, he worked in road construction until retiring in 1976. He was a member of the Lake Brownwood Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and was a Methodist.

Survivors: include three daughters, Sandy Haynes of Uvalde, Betty Sue Cupps and Billie Rae Diaz, both of Santa Anna, a son Bobby Joe Hipp of Arizona, three sisters, Doris Lee Rushin of Hobbs, NM, Bonnie Daniels and Bobby Nell Carroll, both of Abilene and three grandsons.

Betty Sue and I had another long visit going over all the old news paper reports, marine pictures and stories of her Dad, a book on the history of the 28 Marines, 5^th Div. She describe the meeting was just like her Dad was there with us, even though he never talk about his role in the Marines. “ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE”