| dc.description | On reverse: "FILE NUMBER: 702042 RELEASED: 2 March 1946 TEXAS SOCIETY PRESENTS IWO JIMA STATUE MODEL TO FLEET ADMIRAL NIMITZ: The original model of the Iwo Jima statue that stands in front of the Navy Building, on Constitution Avenue, in Washington, by Feliz de Welden, Washington sculptor, was presented by the Texas State Society of Washington to Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, of Fredericksburg, Texas, at a ceremony at the Navy Department March 2. Presentation was made by Ralph Pittman, Society President, formerly of DeLeon, Texas, following a talk by Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, Bonham, Texas. In acceptance, Adm. Nimitz asked his fellow Texans, and 'the rest of the country to realize the importance of remaining strong on the sea.' On the one hundred tenth anniversary of Texas independence, Adm. Nimitz reminded that 'the too little known facts are that the strength of the Texas Navy in the Gulf, forced General Santa Ana to march overland, exhausting his supplies and resources, and making his army much easier prey for the armies of General Sam Houston.' Sculptor de Weldon, former Navy Specialist (Painter, Second Class), began his sketches for the Iwo Jima statue within 24 hours after the island was secure. Left to right, Fleet Adm. Nimitz, President Pittman of the Texas Society: Speaker Rayburn and deWeldon." | |
