Before there was the Iwo Jima Statue, there was “Iron Mike.” Erected in 1924 to Marines who fought in World War I, “Iron Mike” pre-dates the depot’s Iwo Jima Statue by 28 years. The statue once stood in a prominent location in the center of the base and was the symbol of Parris Island. <br />Though its origins are obscure, it seems that money for a monument to Parris Island Marines who died in World War I was originated “by officers and men in small amounts during the war, for the purpose of erecting a memorial to the marines who were trained at Parris Island and lost their lives during the world war.” While fund raising continued, solicitations went out for sculptors to submit designs. <br />The driving force behind the monument was Brig. Gen. Eli Cole, who had commanded Parris Island in 1918 before being sent to France. He returned to Parris Island in September 1919, and during his tenure, the project was pushed forward. Cole was in touch with the National Academy of Design in the city of New York and had the backing of Marine Corps war veterans, including the highly decorated Lt. Col. Frank Evans.

Before there was the Iwo Jima Statue, there was “Iron Mike.” Erected in 1924 to Marines who fought in World War I, “Iron Mike” pre-dates the depot’s Iwo Jima Statue by 28 years. The statue once stood in a prominent location in the center of the base and was the symbol of Parris Island.
Though its origins are obscure, it seems that money for a monument to Parris Island Marines who died in World War I was originated “by officers and men in small amounts during the war, for the purpose of erecting a memorial to the marines who were trained at Parris Island and lost their lives during the world war.” While fund raising continued, solicitations went out for sculptors to submit designs.
The driving force behind the monument was Brig. Gen. Eli Cole, who had commanded Parris Island in 1918 before being sent to France. He returned to Parris Island in September 1919, and during his tenure, the project was pushed forward. Cole was in touch with the National Academy of Design in the city of New York and had the backing of Marine Corps war veterans, including the highly decorated Lt. Col. Frank Evans.