Greeley Wells

George Greeley Wells (June 21, 1920 – September 22, 2014) was an American businessman, politician, and Marine Corps officer who is widely known for participating in the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima. He later worked as a corporate executive in the urban planning industry and would serve in local government in New Jersey.

Born and raised in Chicagoland, Wells graduated from Princeton University in 1943, joining the United States Marine Corps that same year. During World War II, he served as a battalion adjutant, whose job it was to carry the flag, during the Battle of Iwo Jima. On February 23, 1945, his unit summited Mount Suribachi and raised the first U.S. flag on Iwo Jima; the first time in history a foreign flag flew on Japanese soil. In 1957, Wells retired from the Marines with the rank of captain and returned to Chicago.

After moving to New Jersey in 1959, Wells worked as a partner at GW Bromley & Co. and later became the president of Sanborn Map Company. A member of the Republican Party, Wells served in multiple government positions in Harding Township; as a member of the township committee, a member of the township planning commission, as mayor in 1963, and as police commissioner. He also served as chair of the Morris County Republican Party Executive Committee, supporting the policies of "fusionism" and the burgeoning New Right movement. After retiring from politics, Wells organized a quinquennial reunion at the White House for surviving veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima, attended by the President of the United States.

Early life and education George Greeley Wells was born on June 21, 1920, in Chicago, Illinois, to Thomas E. Wells Jr., son of Thomas E. Wells, and Ruth Greeley. He was raised in Lake Forest, Illinois, and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1943.

Military service During World War II, Wells served in the United States Marine Corps and fought the Empire of Japan in the Pacific theater. thumb Raising the First Flag on Iwo Jima by SSgt. Louis R. Lowery, USMC Left to right: 1st Lt. Harold Schrier (kneeling behind radioman's legs), Pfc. Raymond Jacobs (radioman reassigned from F Company), Sgt. Henry "Hank" Hansen wearing cap, holding flagstaff with left hand), Platoon Sgt. Ernest "Boots" Thomas (seated), Pvt. Phil Ward (holding lower flagstaff with his right hand), PhM2c. John Bradley, USN (holding flagstaff with both hands, his right hand above Ward's right hand and his left hand below.), Pfc. James Michels (holding M1 Carbine), and Cpl. Charles W. Lindberg (standing above Michels). Wells began basic training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton before being sent to Camp Tarawa, Hawaii for further training. On February 19, 1945, Wells landed on the southeast side of Iwo Jima with the 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, on "Green Beach 1", which was the closest landing beach to Mount Suribachi on the southern end of the island. He stormed the beaches of Iwo Jima under "intense mortar, sniper, and machine gun fire" and was shot in the arm. He spent his first night on the island in a fox hole with Pfc. Rene Gagnon.

Then-First Lieutenant Wells, was adjutant of 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division and officially in charge of both American flags flown on Mount Suribachi. He stated in The New York Times in 1991 that Lieutenant Colonel Chandler W. Johnson ordered Wells to get the second flag, and that Wells sent Rene Gagnon, his battalion runner, to the ships on shore for the flag. Wells said that Gagnon returned with a flag and gave it to him, and that Gagnon took this flag up Mt. Suribachi with a message for Harold G. Schrier to raise it and send the other flag down with Gagnon. Wells stated that he received the first flag back from Gagnon and secured it at the Marine headquarters command post. Wells also stated that he had handed the first flag to Lieutenant Schrier to take up Mount Suribachi. Six days after the raising of the flag, Wells met by chance his first cousin, Lt. Preston A. Wells Jr., at a command post on the mountain. He served as chairman of Barry Goldwater's unsuccessful Morris County, New Jersey campaign in 1964. That same year, Wells ran for freeholder of Morris County and was defeated by incumbent Thomas Koclas by a slim 239-vote margin. He would go on to serve as a local party leader and Harding Township police commissioner.

In 1941, Wells married Barbara "Bobsy" Blossom. They had four children together. Bobsy and one of their children had polio.

Awards and medals Wells's decorations included:

1st RowBronze Star Medalwith "V" devicePurple Heart 2nd RowWorld War II Victory MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalAmerican Campaign MedalNavy Occupation Service Medal