By Lee Williams
Private First Class Jack Lucas celebrated his 17th birthday on February 14, 1945 aboard the troopship USS Deuel. Five days later he was fighting for his life in the black volcanic sand of the Japanese-held island of Iwo Jima.
Lucas, a Marine rifleman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, originally forged his mother’s signature and enlisted at the age of 14.
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