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December 19, 2018Nov. 11 is Veterans Day
Veterans Day honors the sacrifice and service of men like Ray Lueb of Edmond, who in 1945 witnessed history first-hand on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.
He was part of the second wave of American Marine troops who captured the island after five weeks of fierce fighting.
Lueb, 95, experienced his only combat of the war, but it was quite a test as the private stayed on the island for 32 days, and escaped the battle unharmed.
"I was a fast fox hole digger," Lueb said.
He also credits God for his safety.
"I guess He had other plans for me," he added.
Even as a young Marine, his Catholic faith was always a big part of his life.
"Mom and dad were both strong Catholics," he said.
Some 73 years later, his Catholicism remains important. He attends Mass regularly and participates in a weekly TimeOut activity at his parish, Saint John in Edmond. That program involves other independent seniors who get together weekly for fellowship and fun. The Iwo Jima veteran also is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Before his military service he had only been to Oklahoma and Texas.
He has two clear memories of his time in Iwo Jima. One was the raising of the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi, on Feb. 23, 1945, that quickly became an iconic image from the war.
"None of us had any idea that photo would become so famous," he said.
Ray Lueb's proudest moment during duty was on March 10, 1945, when he helped to save the lives of at least 100 Marines. He was assigned mortar duty. Alarmingly, a fire broke out in his pit. While others ran, Lueb knew he had to try to put out the fire or it would ignite stored ammunition. Two other men, seeing what he was doing, came back to help him extinguish the blaze.
For that effort he received a commendation from Maj. General T.E. Bourke of the U.S. Marine Corps.
After 32 days, Lueb was rotated out of the war zone and earned some much-needed rest in Hawaii. His military service concluded with a six-month stint as military policeman in the occupied nation of Japan.
After the war, he came back to Oklahoma and was a farmer before going into home construction. He worked until he was 76, part of that time owning his own company.
Even after retirement he worked a bit part-time.
Today, his military service continues to be appreciated in the community. Earlier this year, the Edmond Elks Lodge honored Lueb.
"That was quite an honor," he said.
Steve Gust is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Earlier this year, the Edmond Elks Lodge honored Ray Lueb for his World War II combat service on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. Pictured from left are Geri Shrum, Ray Lueb, Jody Lueb and Rick Lueb, his son. Photo provided.
